Did you know the Xizhihe Bridge wasn’t always what it seems today? Let’s delve into the story of this Beijing landmark. The Xizhihe Bridge has gone through some changes. It stands as a testament to Beijing’s ever evolving urban landscape.
The original Xizhimen gate was once the entrance for the Emperor’s drinking water. The water came from the Jade Spring Hills west of Beijing. The gate itself was sadly demolished in 1969.
The Xizhimen area evolved into a crucial transportation hub. The Xizhihe Bridge became a vital part of the 2nd Ring Road. This connects Xizhimen Outer Street to other key areas like the Beijing Zoo and the 3rd Ring Road.
Now picture this, in the 1970s the main Xizhihe Bridge stood tall. It measured a rather frightening 5.5 meters high. It was the tallest bridge on the 2nd Ring Road then. The Xizhihe Bridge even had three layers, with the top layer functioning as a roundabout.
But that wasn’t the end of the Xizhihe Bridge’s story. In 1999, the old central bridge was carefully taken apart. It was replaced with a series of new bridges. These new bridges looked nothing like the original one.
The Xizhihe Bridge area underwent a significant transformation for the 2008 Olympic Games. The goal was to integrate the new Xizhimen area with offices and commercial buildings. It was also planned to connect the Xihuan Plaza with train and subway stations. This project involved many Chinese and international companies. Li Xinggang led the engineering design. The constructions were completed just in time for the Olympics.
Today the Xizhihe Bridge is a modern transportation hub. It connects different parts of Beijing. The Beijing North railway station is in this area. Line 2, Line 4, and Line 13 of the Beijing Subway all stop at Xizhimen Station. Direct transfers between the three lines are easy using escalators.
Many public buses also serve Xizhimen. These buses provide access to various parts of the city. The Xizhihe Bridge area is a bustling center of activity.
So next time you cross the Xizhihe Bridge remember its layered past. From an entrance gate for emperors to a modern transportation hub, it has adapted. The Xizhihe Bridge stands as a symbol of Beijing’s continuous change and progress.