Foshan Tongji Bridge

Foshan Tongji Bridge

Tongji Bridge holds significant historical importance in Foshan as the city’s earliest major wooden bridge. According to experts, it was originally a wooden pedestrian bridge funded and built by local villagers.

Tongji Bridge spans the Luo River and connects to Jinyu Street to the north. It was first built during the Ming Dynasty and underwent three major restorations in the 38th year of the Jiajing era (1559), the 2nd year of the Longqing era (1568), and the 9th year of the Wanli era (1581). In the 6th year of the Tianqi era (1626), Li Siwen, the Minister of Revenue, initiated another fundraising campaign for its reconstruction and named it “Tongji Bridge,” which means “only when there is passage can there be relief.” Later generations engraved a couplet on the stone pillars beside the bridge: “Connecting the paths of seven towns, travelers seek spring and may water their horses at the ford; aiding the passage of thousands, the curved bridge spans the water, famously likened to a rainbow trailing behind the village.” A Southern Relief Guanyin Temple and Tongyun Society were also built nearby. In the early years of the Republic of China, the river around Tongji Bridge became silted up, resulting in very little traffic. After the liberation, Foshan’s roads were expanded multiple times, the stream beneath the bridge was turned into a covered culvert, the bridge surface was converted into a main road, and all traces of the “bridge” disappeared from the area.

With the passage of time, the former Tongji Bridge has vanished without a trace, leaving the annual “Tongji Walk” as merely a name, which is truly regrettable. To protect historical and cultural heritage and promote traditional culture, the Foshan Municipal Government invested 17 million yuan to restore Tongji Bridge on January 18, 2001. The restored bridge features elegant architecture and profound cultural significance.

Tongji Bridge is 32 meters long and 9.9 meters wide. The drum stones at both ends of the bridge are adorned with windmills set against auspicious clouds and bats, symbolizing the bridge’s folk icon — the windmill. The bridge body is carved with legendary magical weapons held by the Eight Immortals during their sea voyage, representing the good wishes of citizens crossing the bridge for disaster relief and peace. At the upper part of the bridge pillars, an elephant’s head “pushes out” a fruit basket containing pumpkins and peaches, symbolizing “the elephant embracing peace.” In the ancient Tongji Bridge, the stone steps at the head of the bridge had nine steps and thirteen at the tail, reflecting the concept of “nine out, thirteen in.” This is also reflected in the new bridge: anti-slip strips replace the steps, with nine placed at the north end and thirteen at the south end. This not only improves safety for those crossing but also embodies the wish for good fortune. The water area beneath Tongji Bridge covers 2,000 square meters and includes features such as water-touching steps, the Fish-Knowing Pavilion, and the Joyful Fish Pavilion, inspired by the ancient poem “The fish are happy, so are the people; the spring water is clear, so are our hearts.”

A wooden plaque inscribed with the characters “Tongji” hangs high on the archway of Tongji Bridge, and slightly below it is a couplet:

The left line of the couplet reads: “Aiding the passage of thousands, the curved bridge spans the water, famously likened to a rainbow trailing behind the village.”

The right line of the couplet reads: “Connecting the paths of seven towns, travelers seek spring and may water their horses at the ford.”

The couplet summarizes the features of the original Tongji Bridge, but the reconstructed bridge is far less impressive than the original. There are no longer boats crisscrossing the river, nor is there a sunset casting a rainbow-like glow on the bridge. Most importantly, this is just a memorial site of the original bridge, lacking the genuine warmth and affection of the old one. Though time has changed the scenery and the ancient bridge is gone, the tradition of the “Tongji Walk” remains strong.

The Tongji Bridge Square centers around the Tongji Bridge, the gate tower, and the two squares to the north and south, complemented by the water feature beneath the bridge and surrounding greenery, forming a park covering 7,300 square meters. The main structure of the gate tower is built with blue bricks, flanked by arched gateways. The roof ridge of the gate features Shiwan figurine patterns that showcase the charm of Foshan’s ceramic art, depicting scenes of the prosperity of the ancient Tongji Bridge — including the God of Wealth, lion dances, and windmill vendors. On either side of the figurines are a dragon and a phoenix, symbolizing harmony. Below the figurine wall of the gate tower is a grey relief sculpture “bat stepping on double coins,” symbolizing wealth and fortune with “bat” (prosperity) and “coin” (money). Though time has changed the scenery and the ancient bridge is gone, the tradition of the “Tongji Walk” remains strong.

The proverb “Walk the Tongji, and no worries remain” is widely known in Foshan, meaning that walking across the “Tongji” brings freedom from troubles and ensures smooth sailing in all endeavors. This folk activity carries the good wishes of the people of Foshan. Every year on the night of the 15th to the 16th of the first lunar month, without any formal organization, the streets of Foshan empty out as tens of thousands of people gather for a shared hope, walking across the same bridge. Residents from nearby towns in Nanhai, Sanshui, Gaoming, and Shunde also come to join the “Tongji Walk.” This custom began in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, with every family bringing the elderly and children, marching in a grand procession from north to south across Tongji Bridge from morning until night, carrying windmills, ringing wind chimes, and holding lettuce. This tradition has continued for over 400 years.

Address: Near No. 52, Jinyu Street, Pulan Second Road, Chancheng District, Foshan City

Type: Bridge

Recommended visiting time: 5–15 minutes

Opening hours:

Open all day

Ticket information:

No admission fee.

Information source: Chancheng District Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau