Hongqiao Bridge

Hongqiao Bridge

Hongqiao Bridge is a protected cultural relic site of Zhejiang Province.

Hongqiao Bridge

Located in Wangjiangjing Town, Xiuzhou District, it is an ancient bridge spanning the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal and is the largest stone arch bridge built on soft ground in the Zhejiang Plain. Hongqiao Bridge is a three-span solid-spandrel thin-piered continuous arch bridge, built between the 39th year of the Wanli era and the 1st year of the Tianqi era of the Ming Dynasty (1611–1621). The bridge is 72.8 meters long, with the central span measuring about 16.5 meters, and the two side spans each about 9.3 meters. It features semi-circular stone arches built using the method of vertically aligned, segmented, and juxtaposed masonry. The bridge deck is 4.9 meters wide, with a steep staircase that is 30 meters long, consisting of 57 stone steps on each side sloping down from the central span to the road level. The steps and the western railing are made of long stone slabs, with the inner sides carved into seating arcs. The arch beneath the sloped section of the bridge includes a stone towpath, now used as a docking area for boats. The bridge is adorned with four elegantly inscribed couplets. The couplets on either side of the bridge spans read: “Encourage kindness in the world, may heaven bestow blessings” and “Eternal joy through the ages, everlasting longevity.” The central span features: “Gentle breezes and scenic views carry travelers across the ridge to the other shore; celestial clouds and grand beams support the stable causeway.” The northern side reads: “Blessings flow endlessly, bringing prosperity, peace, and national security; compassionate ferries traverse the calm rivers and clear seas.” Like other ancient stone bridges, the majestic Hongqiao Bridge has not been spared from natural disasters.

During the Taiping Rebellion, intense battles between the Taiping Army and Qing forces in Wangjiangjing caused damage to the stone railings on both ends of the bridge. It was not until the 6th year of the Guangxu era (1880) that the bridge was fully restored. Hongqiao Bridge is now a key cultural relic protection unit of Zhejiang Province. Numerous enchanting legends are associated with this grand stone bridge, often evoking fond memories, admiration, and fascination. As for its construction, it is said that earth was piled up as the stonework progressed—wherever the stones reached, the earth was piled to the same height. The massive stones for the piers were transported by boats weighted down with stones, utilizing the principles of buoyancy to reduce the load. When the final stone at the top of the bridge was almost in place but refused to sit evenly, the craftsmen were baffled and at their wit’s end. Suddenly, an elderly man with a youthful appearance and white hair appeared. After inspecting the structure, he placed one of his shoes under a corner of the stone, which then settled perfectly. Just as the workers prepared to thank him, the old man had already vanished.

Wangjiangjing Town: Situated in northern coastal Zhejiang, Wangjiangjing Town is within an hour’s drive of Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Zhapu Port. It connects to downtown Jiaxing to the south and to Shengze in Jiangsu via a bridge to the north. The town is served by Provincial Highway 07, the Zhapu-Jiaxing-Suzhou Expressway, and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, all contributing to its vibrancy as a key town in northern Zhejiang. Covering an area of 127.3 square kilometers, it has 103,800 mu of arable land and a population of 85,700. Since the Southern Song Dynasty, Wangjiangjing has been a silk trading hub at the border of two provinces. Within a radius of dozens of miles, it produced tens of thousands of bolts of silk daily. The town was bustling with shops and thriving markets, earning the reputation of being “the clothing provider for the world… Detailed information about Wangjiangjing Town++