Fu Hong Bridge in Zhouzhuang Ancient Town

Fu Hong Bridge in Zhouzhuang Ancient Town

Fu Hong Bridge in Zhouzhuang Ancient Town is a cultural tourism attraction.

Fu Hong Bridge is located at the western entrance of Hougang. It is an exquisitely designed stone beam bridge. The middle slab of the bridge is carved with symmetrical floral patterns, and the Chinese characters “福洪桥” (Fu Hong Bridge) are engraved in the center. However, locals call it Hong Bridge, having forgotten its real name. The bridge was rebuilt by local residents during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty and renovated in the 49th year of the Qianlong reign (1784). The bridge is 16.4 meters long, 2.1 meters wide, and has a span of 4.7 meters.

Legend has it that during the Taiping Rebellion, the peasant uprising forces fought against the Qing government’s rule but ultimately failed due to various reasons. At that time, a group of Taiping soldiers drifted to Zhouzhuang from elsewhere. Fearing them, the local landlords and gentry colluded with the Qing government—spreading numerous rumors that slandered the soldiers as monstrous “long-haired rebels” while waiting for the right moment to suppress them. One day, the wealthy landlord Huang Tongling rallied armed forces of the landlords and brutally slaughtered hundreds of Taiping soldiers on Fu Hong Bridge. The blood of the Taiping soldiers dyed the stone steps of Fu Hong Bridge—and the clear waters of Hougang River—red.

Because the word “red” (红) and “Hong” (洪) sound similar, people began referring to Fu Hong Bridge as Hong (Red) Bridge to commemorate the valiantly slain Taiping soldiers. Over a hundred years have passed, yet the name Hong Bridge is still widely used.

Address: Inside Zhouzhuang Ancient Town, Zhouzhuang Town, Kunshan City, Suzhou

Type: Historic Bridge

Opening Hours:

8:00-20:00

Ticket Information:

No separate admission fee. Included in the Zhouzhuang Ancient Town ticket.