History of Haining Bridge

Weizi Bridge (also known as Xisi Bridge) is located on the Cangji River in front of Xisi Temple (Huili Temple) at the southern foot of Xishan Mountain. Wei Ziqiao was named after Bai Juyi, a famous poet in Tang Dynasty. His name was Wei Zi Sheren. Xisi Bridge is named after Xisi Bridge.

Weiziqiao was built in the seventh year of Yuan Dade (1303). It was rebuilt in the eighth year of Yongzheng in Qing Dynasty (1730) and in the first year of Jiaqing (1796), which has a history of nearly 700 years. The length of the whole bridge is 10 meter, with a span of 6 meters and a width of 3 meters. This is a typical single-hole stone arch bridge and the only remaining ancient stone bridge in Shixia Town.

Wei Zi Bridge faces the West Temple Gate in the north, and there are a pair of stone buildings (which are key cultural relics to be protected) in the north, as if two warriors were guarding Wei Zi Bridge; Go south to Renmin Road. The original stone steps on the bridge deck were replaced with slates for the convenience of driving, and the bridge deck was not very flat. On both sides of the bridge deck are stone pillars and fences, and the pillars are carved with stone lions and peaches, which are vivid in shape. One of them was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, which is a great pity. There are seven stone fences between the stone pillars on both sides of the bridge deck, carved with deer, monkeys, river tides, seagulls, bats, orchids and pine and bamboo. There are two couplets on each side of the bridge gate, which are eroded by wind and rain, and the handwriting is blurred and difficult to distinguish.

Standing in the distance and looking east, Weizi Bridge looks very simple and beautiful under the protection of trees and ancient temples. The semi-circular bridge opening, flowing water, ships coming and going, and the red sun rising in Ran Ran constitute a beautiful and quiet ink painting of Jiangnan water town, which makes people linger and shows the prosperous scene of that year.

Wei Zi Bridge has experienced many vicissitudes. 1926 During the Qingming Festival, a fire broke out, and the West Temple Gate and the Four donkey kong were all burned down, but Weiziqiao and a pair of stone buildings were not affected by it.

Weiziqiao is the memorial of Shi Xia people to poet Bai Juyi, which symbolizes the wisdom and strength of Haining people and is also the carrier of Haining's going to the whole country. In the early years of the Republic of China, Zhang Linshu (the younger brother), then deputy director of the general affairs of Bank of Communications, was later transferred to the deputy manager of the distribution department to assist the manager in issuing banknotes. He recommended and adopted the coin pattern to the Farmers Bank of China. Wei Zi Bridge, she became the first person to publicize the natural scenery in the south of the Yangtze River in Shi Xia, Haining, and improve the visibility of Haixia in Haining. Since then, the Wei Zi Bridge has gained a good reputation all over the country and has become a highlight of Haining.

Today, Wei Zi Bridge has not only experienced ups and downs for hundreds of years, but also witnessed the changes of Shi Xia and the future of Haining.