Beneath our feet lies more than just concrete and steel. This is Hujialou Bridge. Have you ever considered the story beneath a bridge like this? It is a vital artery in Beijing’s transportation network. Yet it is a place with a past.
Hujialou Bridge is located in the Hujialou Subdistrict. This subdistrict has a history stretching back centuries. Once called Huanggufen, meaning “tomb of royal aunt”. The area’s name changed. A family named Hu built a prominent building. People started calling the area Hujialou meaning “Building of Hu family”.
The Hujialou area evolved over time. In 1956, Xiaozhuang Subdistrict was established. It became part of the East Suburban District. Later Balizhuang Subdistrict was incorporated into Xiaozhuang. In 1960, it was reorganized into a commune. The name changed again in 1966. The People’s Commune of Xiaozhuang became the People’s Commune of Hujialou. In 1968, it was briefly known as Dazhailu Subdistrict. Finally, in 1975, it was renamed Hujialou Subdistrict.
Today, Hujialou Subdistrict is home to many communities. These include Jintaili, Xiaozhuang, and Guandongdian. Others are Hetaoyuan, Hujialoubei, and Hujialounan. Jintai, Dongdaqiao, Xinjie, and Jintong are also here.
The Hujialou area boasts the Hujialou station. This station is an interchange on Lines 6 and 10 of the Beijing Subway. It is a busy hub. The station handled over 200,000 people on one day in 2013.
Speaking of efficient construction, Beijing replaced the Sanyuan Bridge in just 43 hours. This shows how quickly infrastructure can be updated. The freeway overpass was constructed as a single piece. It was slotted into place.
As we stand on Hujialou Bridge, we are standing on a place with layers of history. The story of Hujialou Subdistrict is a story of constant change. From tombs to family buildings to modern transportation. The Hujialou Bridge and the area around it reflect Beijing’s dynamic spirit.