When you came to Gusu to meet you, people slept on the river.

There is little idle land in the ancient palace and many small bridges in the water port.

--Du Xunhe

Zhouzhuang, which was still hidden in the boudoir in the 1980s, went to the world because of the painting "Memories of Hometown" by painter Chen Yifei living in the United States and became the "Venice of the East". It can be said that Zhouzhuang is famous because of the bridge!

"The town is a country of Zezhou, surrounded by water on all sides. It is so close that everyone needs boats to travel."

Zhouzhuang is surrounded by water on all sides and is in the embrace of Chenghu, Baixian Lake, Dianshan Lake and Nanhu Lake. It was called Yaocheng in ancient times. It was the fief of Wang Shaozi of Wu and Yajun of Han Yue during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Period. It is also known as Zhenfengli. Nanbei Shi River, Houxiang River, Zhongshi River, four river channels flow through the ancient town, forming a "well" shape, forming the soul of the water town.

Distribution map of the ancient bridge in Zhouzhuang

If there is a river and a street, there must be a bridge. Zhouzhuang has 14 ancient bridges built in the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, spanning the "well"-shaped river course. The ancient town was divided into 8 streets. Old houses are connected to the port and back the river. Pedestrians are on the bridge and under the bridge. Boat connects the bridge. The bridge becomes the link connecting people on the other side of the river. The shape of Zhouzhuang is composed of ancient people with white walls, black tiles, black canopies, boats, small bridges and flowing water.

Today, Zhouzhuang still faces each other across the bridge. The bridges are connected. The stone arch bridges are like flying rainbows on the river. It is quite interesting to sit on a cruise ship, pass through the bridge and pass through the hole, and sail by boat to change the scenery.

Among the bridges in Zhouzhuang, the most famous ones are the Shuangqiao, Fu 'an Bridge, Zhenfeng Bridge, Tiyun Bridge (Grandma Bridge), Fuhong Bridge, and Taiping Bridge written by Chen Yifei.

01. Fu 'an Bridge

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Built in 1355

Fu 'an Bridge is the oldest bridge in Zhouzhuang. It was built in the Yuan Dynasty. It is the only three-dimensional bridge-building built in the Jiangnan water town. The bridge buildings are erected against the waves and face each other in a distance, with extraordinary momentum. Houses on the four corners are adjacent, small bridges and flowing water, and houses in the morning. Smoke curling up.

Fu 'an Bridge spans the Nanbei River and leads to Nanbei Street. It was built by Yang Zhong, a native of Li in the 15th year of the Yuan Dynasty and Zheng Dynasty (1355). It was originally composed of bluestone and stepless. It was rebuilt again in the 14th year of Chenghua (1478) and the first year of Jiajing (1522) of the Ming Dynasty. It is a single-hole arch bridge with a length of 17.4 meters, a width of 3.8 meters, and a span of 6.6 meters. It was rebuilt in the fifth year of Xianfeng of the Qing Dynasty (1855) and converted into granite. There are stairs from east to west, and a plane in the middle. They are engraved with embossed patterns. There are bridge towers at the four corners of the bridge body, which are pulled up against the waves and face each other in a distance.

It is said that Shen Wansan's younger brother Shen Wansi did not want to repeat the mistake of his brother opposing Zhu Yuanzhang and eventually being sent into exile, so he took the initiative to donate money to do good things for the village, built this bridge, and changed his name to Fu 'an Bridge.

There are five Wukang stones that are rare in the Jiangnan area on Fu 'an Bridge. The longer one is used as a railing stone on the east side of the bridge, one is used as a bridge step, and the shorter three are laid on the west bridge.

Wukang stone is collected from among the cliffs in Deqing County, Zhejiang Province. The stone surface is covered with small honeycomb eyes. The color is dark and is not easy to wear and tear. It does not slip in rainy and snowy days. It has taken countless steps for hundreds of years, but it still basically remains the same.

The most essential night view of Zhouzhuang is on Fu 'an Bridge. Zhang Hall and Shen Hall are located on both sides of Fu' an Bridge respectively. Standing at the Fu 'an Bridge, the lanterns are on both sides, the water surface is filled with blue fog, but the scenery is different. On one side, the view is wide, and on the other side, the river is narrow and houses are lined with houses!

02. Zhenfeng Bridge

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Built in the mid-13th century

Zhenfeng Bridge is a single-hole stone arch bridge that has lasted for more than 300 years. It is located at the west entrance of Zhongshi City, connecting Zhenfeng Lane and Xiwan Street. Zhouzhuang was named Zhenfeng Li in ancient times, hence the name.

It was rebuilt in the seventh year of Chongjian of the Ming Dynasty (163) and rebuilt in the fourth year of Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty (1726). The bridge is 12.2 meters long, 2.8 meters wide, and has a span of 44 meters. The arch holes of the bridge are complete, and there are Gouqi in the gaps in the rocks, which is full of ancient meaning.

There are three houses beside the Zhenfeng Bridge, and one corner of the building is lost at night. Everyone is intoxicated if the wine is not drunk, and the scenery is pleasant and still charming.

There is a small building on the west side of Zhenfeng Bridge. It was once the place where Nanshe members Liu Yazi, Chen Qubing, Wang Dajue, Fei Gongzhi and others gathered. It is called the "Mystery Building."

Today, the Zhenfeng Bridge and the Lost Tower are still preserved as before. One bridge and one floor, the bridges and buildings complement each other. The waves of the bridge outside the window and the boats come and go, making it beautiful.

03. Taiping Bridge

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Built between 1522 and 1566

Taiping Bridge is located at the east entrance of Hougang in Zhouzhuang Ancient Town, connecting Chenghuangdai and Xianjiang Street. It is a single-hole stone arch bridge. The bridge is engraved with a "lotus seat" pattern. It was renovated in the early Qing Dynasty. Vines grow in the stone cracks of the bridge body, covering the stone arch. The ticket is Shen Tilan's old house next to the bridge.

Small bridges, running water, people's homes, gray walls, leaking windows, fences, scattered residential buildings, and clear running water have become the most profound corner of Zhouzhuang's architecture. The Japanese female painter Shinumi Hashimoto painted "One Day in Zhouzhuang". It is Taiping Bridge.

04. Shuangqiao (Shide Bridge + Yong 'an Bridge)

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Built between 1573 and 1679

The Shuangqiao Bridge was built in the Ming Dynasty and consists of two bridges, Shide and Yong 'an, located in the center of Zhouzhuang. The two bridges are connected, one round and the other square. They look like ancient keys. They are also known as the key bridge. They are famous for their appearance in the oil painting "Memories of Hometown" by painter Chen Yifei living in the United States.

The stone arch bridge spans the Nanbei River, and the east end of the bridge has a stone step approach bridge that stretches into the streets and alleys; the Shiliang Bridge is horizontally erected at the mouth of Yinzibang. The bridge hole can only accommodate small boats to pass through, and the bridge railing is built of hemp stone.

Standing on the side of the Shihe River and looking up, the key-shaped double bridges and the Taiping Bridge not far away can capture three ancient bridges on the Shihe River with a panoramic lens.

Yu Qiuyu once praised: "The peeled green and gray color is like a residual dream in the morning, and the intertwined double bridges are firm and old. Nothing can summarize Jiangnan town better than this image, and there is no such Jiangnan town. It can symbolize hometown more."

05. Quangong Bridge

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Built in 1646

Quangong Bridge is the largest ancient bridge in Zhouzhuang Town. It was originally built with the capital of Quan, so it was called Quangong Bridge, and later renamed Quangong Bridge, also known as Beizha Bridge.

The bridge is a granite single-hole arch bridge. The arches are laid side by side in sections. The railings are made of blue bricks and pressed against granite strips. It was built by Jiang Congchuan and Shen Congchuan, a native of Li in the third year of Shunzhi of the Qing Dynasty (1646). In the thirty-sixth year of Qianlong (1771), Li people donated money for reconstruction.

Bridge bridge on the south side: "The fishing songs on the river are listened to by the moon, and the sails by the moon bring the clouds back." This is the place to enjoy the fishing songs in the Xianjiang River.

06. Fuhong Bridge

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Built in the mid-16th century

Fuhong Bridge is located at the west entrance of Hougang. It is a unique stone beam bridge. The stone strips in the middle of the bridge body are engraved with symmetrical patterns, and the words "Fuhong Bridge" are engraved in the middle.

The bridge was rebuilt by Li people during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty and rebuilt in the forty-ninth year of Qianlong. Most local people call it Hongqiao, which is said to be related to allusions to the Taiping Rebellion.

07. Puqing Bridge

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Built in 1726

Puqing Bridge is opposite the Chengxu Taoist Temple on Zhongshi Street. Smoke on both sides of the river flows to Haishi, and a surging stream connects to the Chencheng Lake. This is a portrayal of Puqing Bridge!

08. Tongxiu Bridge

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Built in 1774

Tongxiu Bridge is located in Tongxiuli, Xizha, Zhouzhuang Town, commonly known as Yandian Bridge. The river north of the bridge is called Youcheyang, and the river south of the bridge is called Xiwanyang. Tongxiu Bridge is the boundary bridge between the two rivers.

In the 39th year of Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1774), donations from Li people were donated to transform the original wooden bridge into a stone bridge. Tongxiu Bridge was a single-hole stone arch bridge with a length of 11.7 meters, a width of 2.9 meters, and a span of 4.6 meters.

09. Tiyun Bridge

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Built in 1764

Tiyun Bridge, also known as Tang Bridge, is a single-hole beam stone bridge running north-south and built with granite.

Zhang Yimou and Gong Li's movie "Shake, Shake, Shake to Grandma Bridge". The grandma bridge in the movie is Tiyun Bridge in Zhouzhuang. Later, Tiyun Bridge changed its name to Grandma Bridge.

10. Longxing Bridge

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Built between 1464 and 1487 (1994 weight)

The reflection of the stone arches, the gurgling water, the houses along the river are slightly vicissitudes, and the mottled stone walls are glowing with an orange luster...

11. Baoen Bridge

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Built in 1711 (re-built in 1993)

Baoen Bridge, commonly known as the "Nanzha Bridge", is far opposite to the Quangong Bridge, commonly known as the "Bezha Bridge". Their role not only facilitates pedestrians on both sides of the strait, but also protects the water gate.

Baoen Bridge was originally a wooden bridge in the Ming Dynasty, which was repeatedly collapsed and built. In the 50th year of Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty (1711), Zhu Ruiru in Qianwangbang (now known as Quanwang Village) rebuilt the stone bridge. It was demolished in 1969. In 1993, Zhouzhuang was rebuilt and rebuilt. The newly built stone arch bridge has symmetrical patterns such as observation columns, railings, and drums, and are beautifully carved.

The long rainbow draws directly to the east boundary, and the Half Moon Bay surrounds the Nanpu shore. Baoen Bridge is adjacent to Nanhu Bay and is the best place to enjoy the sunrise and bright moon.

12. Xianyuan Bridge

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Rebuilt in 1993

Dang Xianyuan Bridge is also a stone beam bridge. There are a pair of stone lions at each bridge head, and there are covered with black boats parked under the bridge!

13. Qinglong Bridge

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Rebuilt in 1993

It is said that in the old days, after crossing the Qinglong Bridge, you would arrive in the pastoral life of Zhouzhuang. The sunrise was slightly bright, the cocks were chirping and dogs were barking, and the fire was rising. Women washed toilets in the river, and the old man held an enamel jar to brush his teeth. It gave a quiet and simple atmosphere of life.

"Jiangnan is good, and the scenery has been known before. At sunrise, the flowers on the river are as red as fire, and in spring, the river is as green as blue. How can I not remember Jiangnan?"

You stand on the bridge and watch the scenery, and the scenery watchers look at you upstairs. Walking through the bridge in Zhouzhuang, you will inadvertently enter Zhouzhuang's past and present life, and enter Zhouzhuang's dense water town time!