Jinxi: a resting place for souls

Shiyan Bridge, built in the Song Dynasty (420-479), is a stone bridge that has the longest span and is best known among thirty-six ancient bridges in the whole town. The bridge has a length of 52 meters and ninety arches. Its shape is simple but unique. Someone once said it looked like a soup ladle. Others say it is like a colored ribbon.

It is said, Shiyan Bridge was built in the Song Dynasty under the supervision of Emperor Xiaozong.

Emperor Xiaozong ordered the best craftsmen to be found from the capital, and they advised that it was more appropriate to build a stone bridge with multiple arches according to the characteristics of the watercourse. Thus, it would certainly have been built in accordance with the royal rules to realize the style of royal buildings. "Nine" was the greatest number according to the royal opinion. In ancient times, the odd numbers were "yang" while even numbers were "yin". "Nine" is the largest odd number so "nine" is the top yang number. The dragon wall should be carved with nine dragons, which is namely "Nine-dragon Wall".

The palace gates for the emperor's access were usually decorated with 81 doornails, nine rows and nine columns. "Nine and five indicate supremacy." The royal buildings decorated with "nine" stand for the supreme power of the feudal emperor.

Therefore, they decided to build a stone bridge with "nine columns and ten arches". However, various shapes could be used for the multi-arched bridge. What kind of shape should be built? Emperor Xiaozong made a prompt decision: put a jade hairpin in front of the craftsmen. The craftsmen understood him immediately.

Jinxi Shiyan Bridge, built in the Song Dynasty (420-479), is a stone bridge that has the longest span and is the best known among thirty-six ancient bridges in the whole town. [Photo from Kunshan Tourism Resort]