Mieduqiao Bridge

The old Mieduqiao Bridge (灭渡桥) is at southeastern Suzhou. It crosses the ancient Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal and the area has traditionally been important for land and water transportation. Before the construction of the bridge, there was no boat to cross the canal, because travelers could not tolerate extortion or high fares by wicked boatmen. Later, local good-hearted Buddhist monks raised fund to built a bridge there and called "du" (渡, which means "cross the river"). And nowadays some people call it Mieduqiao Bridge, which means "abandon crossing the canal by means of ferry". 

History of Mieduqiao Bridge

The completion of Mieduqiao Bridge was in the year 1300. It was renovated thrice in Ming and Qing Dynasties and in 1985 respectively. Of which the last refit, the old stone fences have been rebuilt. The bridge's body is quite thin. There are 53 wide and low steps at each end of the bridge. Single arch is designed due to rapid flowing current and frequent passing of large ships. The bridge goes east-west with a length of 81 meters and 8.5 meters above the surface. The architectural structure contains purple stones, bluestones and granites. This demonstrates the traces of past renovations. There are many interesting bass-relief beasts' facial images. According to some archeological findings, they had been carved at the time of construction.