Beneath our feet lies history etched in stone at the Tonghua Bridge. This bridge is not just a crossing, it is a testament to Beijing’s enduring spirit. Beijing used to be covered with many water areas. There were hundreds of bridges of all sizes.
Time has taken its toll. Some water areas have disappeared. Some bridges are gone too. The ancient bridges that remain are valuable. They show the wisdom of the ancient working people. They also provide clues to understanding the past.
One such treasure is the Baliqiao Bridge. It is also known as Yongtongqiao Bridge. Built in 1446 during the Ming Dynasty, it spans the Tonghui River. It connects Tongzhou County with Beijing’s city center.
The Baliqiao Bridge gets its name from Tongzhou Bali. It is located in Chaoyang District. This bridge is one of Beijing’s three ancient bridges. It earned recognition as a Major Historical and Cultural Site. In 2014, it became a World Cultural Heritage site.
Heavy traffic burdened the original Baliqiao Bridge for centuries. Safety concerns led to its deactivation. Now, the old bridge can finally rest. A new Baliqiao Bridge was built. It sits 152 meters upstream from the original. The ancient bridge will be closed for repairs.
The old asphalt will be removed. The stone bridge’s original appearance will be restored. About five years ago protection nets were installed on the sides. They protect the stone lions from vandalism.
After repairs, Baliqiao Bridge will be beautiful. Greenery will surround it. It will serve as the south gate of Yongtong Park. The Tonghua Bridge will be open to all.
The Yongtong Qiao means Ever-Flowing bridge. Guo Shou Jing erected the original bridge here. The present one was built in 1446. It is a stone bridge with iron corner reinforcements.
The Bali Qiao means Eight-Li bridge. It was the site of a fierce battle in 1860. Qing troops fought Anglo-French forces here. Its unique design has three arches. This allowed boats to pass without lowering their masts.
Like the Marco Polo bridge, Bali bridge features lions. The lions are from various time periods. The northern and southern sections with triple arches are recent additions.
The Tonghui canal now flows through Tongxian. Regular high-rise buildings line its banks. A lack of sufficient flow-through makes Tonghui less inviting. Garbage drifts and gets trapped in bottom vegetation. This detracts from the view. Yet, the Tonghua Bridge endures.