Ever heard the saying “Eight Li Bridge doesn’t drop its mast?” It speaks volumes about the importance of what we now know as Baliqiao Station. This station is near the Yongtong Bridge. Many people call it Baliqiao Bridge.
Welcome to Baliqiao Station. It sits a little south of the famed Yongtong or Baliqiao Bridge. This bridge resides where Tongzhou District meets Chaoyang District.
Yongtong Bridge is Beijing’s best-preserved stone bridge along the Grand Canal. It stands as a testament to ancient engineering. In 1984, Yongtong Bridge became a Beijing Municipal Cultural Relic. In 2006, it gained national recognition.
The bridge earned its nickname “Baliqiao” because it is eight li west of old Tongzhou. Today, Baliqiao stands at the junction of Tongzhou and Chaoyang districts. This location is very important. It was part of the route for transporting goods into Beijing during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Emperors of the Qing Dynasty also used it when visiting the Eastern Qing Tombs. It was a crucial link between Tongzhou and Beijing. Baliqiao is one of Beijing’s three ancient defensive bridges.
Construction of Yongtong Bridge began in 1446 during the Ming Dynasty. Emperor Yingzong named it “Yongtong.” The “Yongtong Bridge Record” notes frequent flooding. Makeshift wooden bridges often collapsed. The Ming court decided to build a durable stone bridge.
The bridge spans the Tonghui River, running north to south. It features three arches. It is 50 meters long and 16 meters wide. Stone balustrades line both sides. Each side has 33 columns. Each column is topped with a unique stone lion. The bridge deck is paved with granite. Iron joins each stone. This makes the surface very strong. The bridge is filled with rammed earth and encased in brick. Four stone beasts guard against floods.
The central arch is very high. This allows boats to pass easily. The side arches are much smaller. The saying “Eight Li Bridge doesn’t drop its mast” praised the ease of boat passage.
In 1860, during the Second Opium War, a fierce battle raged here. This was the Battle of Baliqiao. Qing troops fought against British and French forces. Tianjin and Tongzhou fell. The Qing government gathered 30,000 troops. They clashed with the enemy at Yongtong Bridge.
Baliqiao was vital. It was the waterway between Beijing and Tianjin. It was eight li east of Tongzhou and thirty li west of Beijing. British and French troops had to pass Baliqiao to attack Beijing from Tongzhou.
Qing commander Sengge Rinchen vowed to defend the bridge. The battle was intense. Mongol cavalry charged bravely. However, they faced modern gunfire. Qing forces suffered heavy losses. Still, the Qing soldiers fought with valor.
The Qing army lost over 20,000 men. Allied losses were much lower. Eventually, the Qing forces lost Baliqiao. According to a French soldier, the battle lasted from seven in the morning until noon. Cannon fire shattered the stone balustrades. Many stone lions were destroyed. Qing soldiers lay dead on the bridge.
Baliqiao was Beijing’s last defense. Emperor Xianfeng fled to Rehe. British and French troops looted and burned the Old Summer Palace. Afterward, the Qing government repaired Baliqiao. However, some damage from the battle remained.
Between 2002 and 2005, many reports highlighted the bridge’s decay. In 2003, Baliqiao was added to Beijing’s cultural relics protection list. Restoration was planned. Yet, progress stalled. By 2006, the bridge surface, stone slabs, and lions suffered damage. Graffiti marred its surface.
East of Baliqiao stands the “Imperial System Tongzhou Stone Road Monument.” Emperor Yongzheng erected it in 1733. The stele commemorates the construction of the stone road. It ran from Chaoyang Gate to Tongzhou. The inscription describes Tongzhou’s economic prosperity.
In 1984, Baliqiao and the stone road monument became protected relics. In 2006, they were recognized nationally as part of the Grand Canal.
For over five centuries, Baliqiao carried vehicular traffic. In 2019, a new Baliqiao bridge opened. It is 152 meters west of the old one. This six-lane bridge relieved the old bridge. The new bridge echoes the old design. It is no taller than the old bridge. This preserves the historic view.
In 2021, Chaoyang District began restoring Yongtong Bridge. The work followed strict guidelines. Modern repairs were removed. Over two thousand stones were restored. The repairs took two years. The restoration finished in 2023.
On June 6, 2024, Yongtong Bridge officially reopened to the public.
Baliqiao stands as a symbol of resilience. It has witnessed battles and trade. Now, it welcomes visitors again. Its story continues to inspire.