Tianshui Bridge

Tianshui Bridge

Tianshui Bridge, commonly known as the "North Guanyin Bridge," is located on Tianshui Street in Jinxi Town, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. Originally built in the fifth year of the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1407), it was reconstructed in the ninth year of the Shunzhi era of the Qing Dynasty (1652). Running from north to south, it spans Beiyouchegang. The existing Tianshui Bridge is a single-arch structure, 17.2 meters long, 2.7 meters wide, with a clear span of 6 meters. It has a rise of 3.1 meters, with the arch constructed from bluestone and the rest of the bridge from granite. This single-arch bridge features a vertically bonded, segmented, and parallel masonry design. The entire structure is stately and elegant, blending harmoniously with the surrounding residences, streets, and river docks, forming a culturally rich landscape that is distinctly characteristic of the water town.

What makes this bridge most memorable are the couplets on its eastern and western sides. The one at the east end reads: “Of all vices, lust is the worst; of all virtues, filial piety comes first.” The one at the west end reads: “May Heaven always create good people; may people always do good deeds.” These inscriptions reflect the local people’s clear sense of right and wrong and their longing for goodness. The bridge is well-preserved. In 2004, it was designated as part of the third batch of cultural heritage protection units in Kunshan City.

Jinxi Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Kunshan City. Historically named Jinxi, it was renamed Chenmu Village during the Southern Song Dynasty, and later Chenmu Town during the Qing Dynasty. In 1958, the Dianxi Commune was established, which was renamed Chenmu Town in 1962. In 1965, it became Maoshe Commune, then reverted to Chenmu Town in 1981, and was finally renamed Jinxi Town in 1992. Located in the southwestern part of the city, it is 23 kilometers from the urban center, covering an area of 82.1 square kilometers with a population of 48,000. Several highways pass through the area. It is a typical water town crisscrossed with waterways. The town administers Xujing, Qiuze, Qiuxi, Qiunan, Nanshengbang, Shengtang, Xisheng, Hongxia, Zhangnan, Zhangjiasha, Zhangbei, Jijiadun, Mayuanzhuang, Dongzhuang, … Jinxi Town detailed information++