Suddenly, a cool breeze whispers tales of emperors and battles around Balizhuang Bridge. This isn’t just a bridge. It’s a landmark steeped in history, linking Beijing’s past to its present.
Balizhuang Bridge, also called Yongtongqiao, stands at the meeting point of Chaoyang and Tongzhou districts. The bridge spans the Tonghui River. This location is eight li from Tongzhou District. That’s how it got its name, “Eight Li Bridge”.
Back in the day, Balizhuang Bridge marked the outer edge of Beijing’s Imperial City. Beyond it lay the Zhili province. Imagine emperors of old stopping near Balizhuang Bridge. They’d rest at a palace and temple complex. Before leaving the city, they changed from fancy robes to simpler travel clothes. Upon their return, they would change back into their imperial attire.
The canal beneath Balizhuang Bridge connects to the Summer Palace. The Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty began his six tours to the Jiangnan region from here. That’s quite a departure point.
But Balizhuang Bridge has seen more than just imperial journeys. In 1860, during the Second Opium War, a fierce battle raged here. A combined Anglo-French force clashed with a large Chinese army. The battle at Balizhuang Bridge led to heavy losses for the Chinese. It ultimately resulted in the invasion of Beijing. The French commander was even awarded the title Count of Palikao for his victory. It was at Balizhuang Bridge that Chinese officials accepted the demands of the British and French. This included paying reparations. They also agreed to accept foreign diplomats in Beijing.
Today, Balizhuang Bridge has a subway station. It is served by the Batong Line. The Jingtong Expressway runs nearby. You can also see a Qing Dynasty pavilion. It protects the Qianlong Emperor’s calligraphy.
Sadly, the temple and palace are gone. But archaeologists hope to explore the undisturbed site. The old bridge shows its age with graffiti. Some lion sculptures are damaged. But there’s hope. A new bridge has opened nearby. This will allow Balizhuang Bridge to be restored. It will become a pedestrian-only zone. There are also plans for a museum.
The new Baliqiao Bridge is located 152 meters upstream of the original one. It was built because heavy traffic passed over the original bridge for hundreds of years. The existing asphalt on the bridge will be removed. The original appearance of the stone bridge will be restored. The most recent restoration happened about five years ago. During that time, protection nets were installed on the sides of the bridge. This was to protect the stone lions from being vandalized.
After the repairs, Baliqiao Bridge will have greenery at its side. It will serve as the south gate of Yongtong Park. It will then be open to the public. Balizhuang Bridge is more than just stone and history. It is a reminder of imperial power, fierce battles, and the passage of time.