There is heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below! Suzhou has always been a prosperous place. The ancient water towns and Jiangnan gardens here are unique in China. Gardens and ancient towns such as Canglang Pavilion, Lion Grove, Humble Administrator's Garden, Lingering Garden, Zhouzhuang Ancient Town, Tongli Ancient Town, Luzhi Ancient Town and other gardens and ancient towns are all well-known across the country, but the beauty of Suzhou is far beyond these gardens and ancient towns. Although some ancient towns are not as famous as Zhouzhuang Tongli, they are not less playable than them. For example, Lili Ancient Town located in Wujiang is one of them.

Lili Ancient Town is located in Wujiang, Suzhou. Like many other ancient towns in the south of the Yangtze River, it not only has a very long history, but also has a very rich culture. It is unique in some aspects. For example, it has 115 alleys, 256 river ports, and 254 cables and boats. The stones are the largest ancient towns in the Yangtze River Delta. There are also the largest folk museum in the Yangtze River Delta and the largest tinware museum in China. In addition, because the ancient town is located in a water town, there are many bridges, and they are basically ancient bridges in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. They have different shapes and are picturesque. Below are a set of photos I took casually while wandering in the ancient town and share them with you.

Tianping Bridge

Tianping Bridge was originally called Taiping Bridge. It is impossible to verify the date of its construction. It was rebuilt by Taoist Yang Haoran during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty and rebuilt by villagers during the Kangxi period. In 1972, it was renovated into a cement double curved arch bridge. There is a bridge on the bridge: Zhuyuan Han blessed land in the northwest, and Wenfeng in the southeast. The Zhuyuan in the bridge refers to the Jizhutan in Lili, and the Baoge is the Bajiao Pavilion in Dongzha.

qinglongqiao

The bridge is located on the east side of Lili Old Street. There are Qinglong embossed on its thousand-pound stones and on the inner wall of the main arch. The carvings are still clear today, and the charm of the year can be seen. According to local friends, the bridge was built during the Chenghua period of the Ming Dynasty. The lotus pattern on the bridge's capital and the dragon head and bridge ears can be seen that the bridge is a relic of the Ming Dynasty. There are two couplets on the bridge, which are: "The rainbow hangs high on the moon at the thousands of gates, and the giant lock connects the thousands of azure clouds in the distance" and "The day when things are beautiful and the people are outstanding." They look full of momentum and auspicious. The film and television drama "A Game of Chess Not Done" also filmed a street scene with Qinglong Bridge as the background.

Wangen Bridge

Wangen Bridge, also known as Tingzi Bridge, spans Lihua Street and Xixin Street. It was built in the fifth year of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty and rebuilt in the 53rd year of Kangxi and the second year of Xianfeng. It mainly consists of three types of materials: Wukang stone, bluestone and granite. The bridge deck has reincarnation and is an arch bridge. It can be said to be a picturesque bridge in Lili. Whether in terms of shape, momentum or history, it can be parallel to Lili's Qinglong Bridge. The Wukang stone used in the arch ring of the bridge is a model of bridge materials in the Song Dynasty, and the bluestone used in the bridge body is also a model of bridge materials in the Yuan and Ming Dynasties.

Jindeng Bridge

Jindeng Bridge, also known as Xiajia Bridge, is located in the middle section of the Shihe River in Lili Ancient Town, spanning Center Street and Jianxin Street, and running north-south to single-hole beam stone bridge. The age of its initial construction cannot be verified. It was rebuilt in the 38th year of Qianlong and the 20th year of Guangxu. The piers are solid and built by riding water. "Entrance to the exam" shows people's desire to "high school" and "enter the exam".

Daonan Bridge

Daonan Bridge is located in Xiatang, Lili Old Street, spanning the tributary of Lili Tong. It is commonly known as the "Fangsheng Bridge" and is a single arch bridge. In the 54th year of Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty (1715), it was donated by Chen Yongnian, a native of Li. There is an approach bridge at the west end of the bridge. The entire bridge is a little damaged, but it is still in good condition.

Tiyun Bridge

The appearance of Tiyun Bridge is somewhat similar to that of Jindeng Bridge. It can be said to be a pair of sister bridges. It is located to the east of Jindeng Bridge and adjacent to Liu Yazi's former residence. The style, material, structure and volume of this bridge are almost exactly the same as the Jindeng Bridge, just like a pair of twins. The difference is that this bridge has an approach bridge in the north and no approach bridge in the south. There is also an ancient stone workshop on the west side of Beitu.

Yingxiang Bridge

Yingxiang Bridge is located on Pinglou Street. It is a three-hole beam bridge with parallel columns of piers. It was built in the sixth year of Zhengtong of the Ming Dynasty (1441) and later underwent reconstruction in the eighth year of Tongzhi of the Qing Dynasty (1869). The original name of this bridge is Rujia Bridge."Ru" and "milk" are homophonic. If a child is short of milk, an adult will carry him and walk on the bridge. Therefore, the locals call it "Rujia Bridge".

The ancient town is located on the Jiangnan water town. There are bridges wherever there is water. In addition to the above bridges, Lili Ancient Town has many ancient bridges, such as Qiuxi Bridge, Qingfeng Bridge, Dingxin Bridge, Dengying Bridge, etc., and they are all cultural relics ancient bridges built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. They are not only old and well preserved, but also very strong, and can also be used normally. Over the long history, these bridges have communicated the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, facilitated life, and also left a valuable artistic wealth. Telling people the moving story and past glory of the ancient town.