Atlas of China
Precious Belt Bridge 宝带桥Bǎodài Qiáo
National heritage site · Suzhou, Jiangsu
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Days to budget
- Half a day
- City
- Suzhou
- Region
- Jiangsu
- Type
- Heritage
- Listed as
- National heritage site
About Precious Belt Bridge
A long, low stone bridge of 53 arches that carries the old towpath of the Grand Canal across the mouth of Tantai Lake, south-east of Suzhou. First built between 816 and 819 under the Tang, when the prefect Wang Zhongshu is said to have paid for it with his jewelled belt, it dates in its present form from a Ming rebuilding of 1446 and repairs of 1873; its three central arches are raised to let larger boats through. It is the longest old multi-arch stone bridge in Jiangsu.
How to get to Precious Belt Bridge
About 6 km south-east of central Suzhou beside the Grand Canal, by taxi or bus.
Nearby
- Classical Gardens of Suzhou 苏州园林 under 10 km
Whole landscapes of rock, water and pavilion folded into a city block - Zhouzhuang 周庄古镇 20 km
Jiangnan's most famous water town, famed for its Twin Bridges and merchant halls - Wuzhen Water Town 乌镇 60 km
Stone bridges and lantern-lit canals in a water town that's best after dark
Also within 20 km: Pan Gate & Ruiguang Pagoda 盘门 (under 10 km), Master of the Nets Garden 网师园 (under 10 km), Canglang Pavilion 沧浪亭 (under 10 km), Suzhou Confucian Temple (Stone Inscription Museum) 苏州文庙 (under 10 km), Old Campus of Soochow University 东吴大学旧址 (under 10 km), Twin Pagodas (Luohan Temple) 罗汉院双塔 (under 10 km).
On the map
Open Precious Belt Bridge on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it and what else is close, and to add it to a trip.
Open Precious Belt Bridge on the map