Tipped to be one of Wuxi’s true historic icons the Qingming Bridge is no ordinary overpass in the city’s Cultural Block. Having been a permanent fixture in the city for centuries past, this intriguing landmark has truly survived the test of time attracting hoards of visitors to uncover its beauty eons after its construction. Although it is difficult to discern this fact when observing the structure with the naked eye, the Qingming Bridge was constructed during the Ming Dynasty and to this day remains a cultural icon that is revered not only in its home state, but around the world. The iconic overpass also holds the distinguished honour of being the largest of its kind in Wuxi while simultaneously being the city’s best preserved historic bridge.
Stretching its hands across the Grand Canal, the Qingming Bridge is one of over 60 overpasses that cover the entirety of the body of water. Built as a single structure, the bridge is made entirely in stone and extends an impressive 43.2 metres over the Grand Canal. With a width well over 5 metres the structure is a whopping 8.5m in height. Allowing boating vessels of all shapes and sizes to pass below, the arched clearance of the Qingming Bridge measures in at 13.1 metres, making the traffic beneath the river flow as smoothly as the traffic of pedestrians crossing the bridge above stream.
Casting a picture perfect reflection on the river the Qingming Bride is a shutterbug’s dream come true as the ancient stone and bridge and river bed form unique shadows at various times of the day allowing more than a few scenic shots of the site and its inherent beauty. The residential areas that lie on either side of the structure are equally interesting as the structures provide an in-depth look into a simpler way of life still enjoyed by the residents of Wuxi’s cultural heartland. The quaint architectural elements of the buildings within the Culture Block which is sprawled across 900 metres also offer visitors a complete look at what Wuxi must have been like during the Qing and Ming dynasties.
Travellers on the lookout for an elegant hotel in Wuxi should look no further than Millennium Wuxi for all their accommodation needs. Perfectly situated in a strategic location this Wuxi hotel provides luxurious dwellings for holidaymakers and business travellers.
Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.