Guangji Bridge. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

Once there was a mountain: Chaoshan. Below the mountain ran a river: The Grand Canal. Beside the river lay a town: Tangqi Ancient Town. In the town stood a bridge: Guangji Bridge.

This old saying highlights the historic significance of Guangji Bridge in Tangqi ancient town, which dates back to the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). Once a prosperous hub during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1366-1911), Tangqi held an important position in Hangzhou and across China.

Due to the ravages of time, the ancient buildings of Tangqi have mostly vanished, but the Guangji Bridge remains, spanning the Grand Canal at the heart of the town. The bridge was first built during the Tang Dynasty's (618-907) in the Baoli era and rebuilt in 1498. It measures 78.7 meters in length, 6.12 meters in width at its ends and 5.2 m at its highest point. It features 80 steps and seven arches, with the central arch spanning 15.69 m.

Though it may appear unassuming compared to other ancient bridges, Guangji Bridge, with its plain stone railings and cloud-patterned drum stones, stands out as the only seven-arch stone bridge remaining on the Grand Canal. It is a historic landmark in both Linping district and Hangzhou.

Guangji Bridge. [Photo/IC]