Wenxing Bridge

Wenxing Bridge

Wenxing Bridge is a cultural relic protection unit of Jiaxing City.

Wenxing Bridge, commonly known as the Mute Bridge, is located at the eastern end of the antique street on Yuanyang Road in Nanhu District. It spans the mouth of the Changsheng River from east to west, connecting Lanshui Garden and the Nanhu Ecological Reserve. The Changsheng River and the waters of Nanhu are interconnected, and Wenxing Bridge, with its graceful and delicate form, lies lightly across the lake surface. The shimmering water and the bridge’s reflection create a delightful scene.

The bridge is a three-arch, semi-circular humpback-style stone arch bridge, with a total length of 34.6 meters, a width of 2.6 meters at the top, a clear span of 10.4 meters for the central arch, and clear spans of 5.2 meters for each of the side arches. The arches are constructed using the method of interlocking segmented parallel courses. At the arch springing of the central arch, there is a pair of horizontal tie stones (also called dragon head stones), which serve to reinforce the side spandrel walls. Above the arches, there is an inscribed bridge plaque in raised regular script that reads “Reconstructed Wenxing Bridge.”

The bridge deck of Wenxing Bridge is steep, with long stone railings on both sides and eight balusters in the middle. The top of the bridge forms a square platform, in the center of which is carved a “samsara” design. There are nineteen stone steps at each end of the bridge, each step made of two slabs laid side by side. Between the arches on both sides of the bridge and next to the side arches, there are four pairs of inscribed stone plaques, each topped with a rain-shielding stone engraved with four pairs of couplets in raised regular script. The main couplet on the central arch on the north side reads: “The dragon pool of Yuanyang River locks the vast waters to the southwest; the fishing shores of Machang connect the tranquil waves to the northeast.” The secondary couplet on the side arch reads: “Literary radiance startles the stars above; starlight inspires scholars below.” The main couplet on the central arch on the south side reads: “The literary currents of the twin lakes gather the essence of the beautiful waters,” while the lower couplet is no longer visible due to repairs. The secondary couplet on the side arch reads: “Salt merchants rejoice at the safe crossing; painted boats celebrate the misty waves.”

In the water towns of the Jiangnan region, three-arch or multi-arch stone bridges are usually designed with a taller central arch and slightly smaller side arches, using thin piers and thin arches. The bridge deck is humpback-shaped, hence called a “humpback-style stone arch bridge.” The exact construction date of Wenxing Bridge is unknown. In the “Lincheng Zhitu” (Map of the Imperial Visit to the Prefecture) in the Jiaxing Prefecture Records of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty, the name “Wenxing Bridge” appears, indicating that it was built no later than before Emperor Qianlong’s southern tour. The current bridge was reconstructed in the sixth year of the Tongzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1867).

The area around Wenxing Bridge (including Lanshui Garden) was called Meixi in the Song Dynasty. During the Yuanyou era of the Song Dynasty (1086–1094), the monk Zhijian built a hut here and planted a hundred plum trees, naming it Meian (Plum Hut). The Jiaxing County Records of the Chongzhen reign of the Ming Dynasty documented the Eight Scenic Spots of Meixi. During the Yuan and Ming Dynasties, this place suffered repeated destruction until the fifth year of the Chongzhen reign of the Ming Dynasty (1632), when a local resident, Sun Hongji, dreamed of an old man pointing out ancient relics on the ground. He then built a hut, replanted plum trees, constructed temples for two honored figures—Sun Dacan and Sun Xunqing—and restored the Meixi landscape. By the Qing Dynasty, the Eight Scenic Spots of Meixi were no longer recorded, but remnants of the garden could still be seen, with faint glimpses of lotus ponds shrouded in willows and winding paths lost in the mist.

Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty made six southern tours, showing a particular fondness for the Yuewu Tower by Nanhu Lake. He visited it eight times, composing poems on each occasion, totaling fifteen poems in all, which are now inscribed in the two imperial stele pavilions on the lake’s central island. It is said that Emperor Qianlong also visited the area around Wenxing Bridge during his southern tours.

Standing atop Wenxing Bridge and looking out, the west bank features whitewashed walls and black-tiled roofs lining the antique street. The horse-head walls and upturned eaves of the ancient buildings in Lanshui Garden are nestled among green trees, with the majestic Haogu Pagoda standing tall in the distance. The east bank opens up to a verdant ecological reserve. In the far distance, the central island and Yuewu Tower are faintly visible, while the sparkling waters of Nanhu Lake ripple gently, dotted with pleasure boats gliding across, presenting a picturesque scene.

The beautiful scenery blends seamlessly with the ancient bridge, creating an enchanting view. Wenxing Bridge can be regarded as the most beautiful ancient bridge on Nanhu Lake.