“No.1 Bridge Town” of the southern Yangtze area. That’s a pretty bold claim, isn’t it? Yet, here we are in Jinze, a place daring enough to wear that crown.
Jinze is a peaceful ancient town. It is located in Qingpu District in Shanghai. Its history stretches back over 1,300 years. Jinze offers a different vibe than other water towns. It has more dignity and less delicacy.
Imagine this small town during the Qing Dynasty. Contemporaries described 42 bridges as rainbows on the waters. Today, seven of these bridges still stand. Jinze covers an area of only 0.6 square kilometers. Yet, it holds more than 10 ancient bridges. These bridges have been well preserved. They have witnessed many dynasties. Some date back to the Song Dynasty.
Each bridge in Jinze connects to a temple. Legend says that during the Three Kingdoms period, a general ordered bridges built for his army. He also had temples erected at each bridge. This was to pray for safety and peace.
Let’s talk about some specific bridges. The Puji Bridge stands out. It was built with purple stones. It is 26.7 meters long but only 2.75 meters wide. Its gradient is typical of Song Dynasty bridges.
Then there is the Yingxiang Bridge. Its design is unusual for the south of the Yangtze River. It dates back to the Yuan Dynasty. This bridge lacks guardrails and steps. This made it easier for cavalrymen to cross.
The Fangsheng Bridge has its own story. It was built in the Ming Dynasty. It sits beside a monastery. Buddhist disciples once used it to release fish into the water.
Finally, consider the Puqing Bridge. Built in 1999, it’s a reproduction. It copies a famous wooden bridge from the Song Dynasty painting “Along the River During the Qingming Festival”. It was even featured in a PBS film called “China Bridge”.
Jinze is not just about bridges. There was once a saying that each bridge had a temple. The Yihao Buddhist Temple is the largest remaining temple. During the Song Dynasty, it housed 1,000 monks. The existing temple was restored in 1992. It now has five halls for worship.
The late Qian Juntao once wrote that Jinze’s ancient bridges were the best in the world. As you wander through Jinze, you will discover why this sentiment still rings true today. Take your time to appreciate the town’s bridges. They connect more than just land. They connect history, culture, and the spirit of Jinze.