Xiaosu Bridge

Xiaosu Bridge

Xiaosu Bridge, located on Wuhu Road in Hefei City, Anhui Province, connects to the Nanfei River to the east, intersects with Chaohu Road to the west, and meets Bashang Street to the east. It is one of the main east-west river-crossing bridges in Hefei. The bridge was first built during the Song Dynasty. Originally named Tongjin Bridge, it was later renamed Xiaosu Bridge in honor of the famous Song Dynasty official Bao Xiaosu (also known as Lord Bao).

On the eastern side of Wuhu Road in Hefei City, Anhui Province, where it connects to the Nanfei River, a bridge spans the water from east to west — this is the renowned Xiaosu Bridge. It intersects with Chaohu Road to the west and meets Bashang Street to the east, and is one of the city’s main east-west river-crossing bridges.

Historical Changes

In ancient Luzhou (Hefei), there were many rivers and naturally many bridges, but it is perhaps unique for a bridge to be so closely associated with a historical figure. Xiaosu Bridge has undergone several restorations, reconstructions, and renamings throughout history. Historical records indicate that the bridge was originally built in the Song Dynasty, repaired in 1309, renovated in 1496, and then underwent two more restorations in the 6th year of the Kangxi reign (1667) and the 4th year of the Daoguang reign (1824) during the Qing Dynasty. The gazetteer from the 8th year of the Jiaqing reign (1803) recorded the bridge’s name as Tongjin Bridge. It was renovated again in the 13th year of the Guangxu reign (1887). Later, in honor of the famous Song Dynasty official Bao Xiaosu, the bridge was named Xiaosu Bridge.

In 1936, the original bridge was rebuilt as a wooden vehicle truss bridge. The “Record of the Reconstruction of Three Bridges in Luzhou Prefecture” noted: “… the one spanning the southeast of the city is a pontoon bridge…” As its structure differed from traditional stone arch bridges in China, it was also commonly called the Dayang (Ocean) Bridge by locals. It was later destroyed during the Anti-Japanese War. After the war ended in 1945, Xiaosu Bridge was reconstructed once again, but by the early years of liberation, it had become dilapidated. In 1950, the Hefei Municipal People's Government funded the replacement of the bridge deck. In 1952, Xiaosu Bridge was washed away by floods. At that time, Anhui Province was divided into the Northern and Southern Anhui Administrative Regions, and the Northern Anhui Administrative Region instructed the highway bureau to rebuild the bridge at this site. The new bridge featured a reinforced concrete pile foundation, double-row bent piers, and a lower-chord Bailey steel frame with wooden beams and decking. It was 52.32 meters long and 11.5 meters wide, with each of the two traffic lanes being 3.34 meters wide, and pedestrian sidewalks on each side measuring 1.04 meters wide.

By 1963, after years of use, the wooden deck had severely deteriorated, making driving dangerous. The Hefei Municipal Government decided to reconstruct the bridge. In November 1964, the newly reconstructed bridge was completed. Since it connected the east and west sections of Wuhu Road, it was named Wuhu Road Bridge, and was later also referred to as Yan’an Road Bridge. The new bridge was 53.17 meters long, with a roadway width of 14 meters and pedestrian sidewalks each 2.5 meters wide. It was paved with reinforced concrete. The bridge was designed to carry vehicles weighing up to 10 tons and trailers up to 80 tons, with a clearance height of 7 meters under the bridge, meeting the standards of a Class VI waterway.

Xiaosu Bridge has spanned the Nanfei River in Hefei for nearly a thousand years, having witnessed the vicissitudes of history and the tremendous changes along both banks of the Fei River. In 1990, responding to public opinion, the municipal government decided to restore the name Xiaosu Bridge to the Wuhu Road Bridge, endowing the bridge with a sense of historical significance and serving as a constant reminder that “uprightness upholds eternal justice, and fairness earns the people’s trust.”

Xiaosu Bridge was once selected as one of Hefei’s “Top Ten Historic Place Names.” Its selection was based on its representation of the spirit of Bao Zheng, with “loyalty to the people and discipline to oneself” becoming a modern-day “motto.”

Xiaosu Bridge Today

Standing by Xiaosu Bridge, even in the cold of winter, the warm winter sun on your skin still brings a cozy feeling. To the west of the bridge, the Wanda Plaza and the Westin Hotel exude a welcoming warmth. Gazing across the riverbanks, you’ll see towering skyscrapers, bustling traffic, and a scene that is truly captivating. Beside the bridge, inscribed with calligraphy by Zhao Puchu, the riverside park remains lively with people taking walks, chatting, and playing cards. Located in the heart of a bustling urban commercial district, Xiaosu Bridge neighbors Wanda Plaza to the west — a large-scale complex integrating department stores, high-end office buildings, and residential towers, and one of the largest and most upscale integrated developments in downtown Hefei.