24 Hours Hotline: +86 137-3541-1378
+86 157-0009-4881
Email:[email protected]
24 Hours Hotline: +86 137-3541-1378
+86 157-0009-4881
Email:[email protected]
Precious Belt Bridge, Suzhou (Baodai Bridge)
Brief Introduction of Baodai Bridge
The Precious Belt Bridge also named Baodai Bridge, which is a stone arch bridge near Suzhou. The Precious Belt Bridge is located at the intersection of the Grand Canal and Tantai Lake, about 2.5 kilometer south east of Suzhou. The Precious Belt Bridge spans 317 meters and has a width of 4.1 meters. The bridge's three central arches, among 53 in total, are constructed of fine Jingshan granite and are large enough to allow river vessels to pass underneath.
History of Belt Bridge
The grandest among all of Suzhou's bridges, however, is Baodai (Precious Belt) Bridge, which is located in the south of Suzhou, near the Grand Canal. It is a bridge with 53 underneath arches, measuring 316.8 meters long. The bridge has been listed as one of the most famous multi-arched bridges in the worldwide.
The first construction of the bridge dates back to 816, during the mid Tang dynasty, though the present structure was rebuilt in 1446, after the original had been destroyed. The bridge's name comes from the local prefect Wang Zhongshu, during its original construction in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), sold his own precious belt to help finance the building of the bridge. Seen from afar, the bridge itself looks like an exquisite jade belt floating in the water. The bridge underwent several destructions and reconstructions in the dynasties of Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing. The present one was rebuilt in 1446 during the reign of Zhengtong of the Ming Dynasty. In the history of bridge building, few stone structures like this, with large-scale manifold arches, great length and ingenuity structure, have been found. Among all the preserved ancient bridges in present China, this is the longest multi-arched one.
John Barrow, while attached to the British Macartney Embassy in 1793, visited the Precious Belt Bridge during the diplomatic mission to China. He accurately described the bridge's length and the central arches being of greater height than the rest. In 2001, The Precious Bridge was included on the list of national monuments (resolution 5-285).
Design of Precious Belt Bridge
The construction of Baodai Bridge is particularly. Precious Belt Bridge was built with strong and elegant Jinshan granite. The length between first and last arches measures 249.5 meters. The approaching embankment at the northern end measures 23.2 meters and the southern one, 43.6 meters. It is 4.1 meters wide and the average arch span is 4.6 meters.
The bridge heaves from the 13rd arch until its utmost in the 15th, which measures as high as 7.5 meters, resembling a huge turtle backing the clouds. Originally there was a pair of stone lions on each end, but now there is only one left at the northern end.
How to get to Precious Belt Bridge
Take bus No. 103 from the railway station to the final stop, then walk 10 minutes to reach Precious Belt Bridge.
Duration：6-8 hours
Attractions(Cities)：Lingering Garden, Panmen Gate, Hanshan Temple, Pingjiang Historic Street, Suzhou No. 1 Silk Mill
Tour Style："In heaven there is paradise, on earth, Suzhou and Hangzhou". Suzhou features its canals, beautiful gardens, bridges and pagodas. This 8-hour private flexible tour is the most popular Suzhou day tour chosen by our clients from these years. Accompanied by your knowledgeable guide over 10+ years, you'll visit the top Suzhou attractions, wander among lotus pond and bamboo groved at Lingering Garden, one of four famous gardens in China; explore the Hanshan Temple's charm, admire Panmen Gate to learn the profound history of Suzhou, take a pleasant stroll down ancient street, see how silk to be made into products and return back in a private air-conditioned vehicle.
Duration：6-8 Hours
Attractions(Cities)：Humble Administrator’s Garden, Lingering Garden, Master of Nets Garden, Surging Wave Pavilion, Suzhou No.1 Silk Mill
Tour Style：Suzhou is noted as "City of Garden", is famous throughout China for its classical gardens. If you love Chinese garden and architectures, this tour is perfect for you! Accompanied by your expert guide over 10+ years guiding experience and skillful driver, enjoy a 7-hour tour to discover the top Suzhou gardens in one day. From Humble Administrator's Garden, to the Lingering Garden, the Master of Nets Garden, the Surging Wave Pavilion and Suzhou No.1 Silk Mill. You'll not only get a better understanding about Chinese architecture and special elements for gardens, but also learn the rich history, culture, people's old lifestyle of Suzhou.
Duration：6-8 hours
Attractions(Cities)：Please pick four or five attractions for your day tour, 100% customizable
Tour Style：See the best of Suzhou, enjoy all the flexibility but none of the language hassels on this private customized full-day tour. Pick four or five attractions and explore these sights at your own pace to avoid the crowds on public transportation. Accompanied by your expert guide over 10+ years guiding experience and skillfull driver with a spacious vehicle, you'll admire beautiful sceneries, ancient streets, pagodas, Grand Canal, classical Chinese gardens, historical sites and more! Private vehicle, entrance fees, bottled water and guide are all included. Lunch will be arranged at a local restaurant recommended by your guide (THEY ARE FOODIES, they really know where and what to eat.)
Duration：8-9 hours
Attractions(Cities)：Humble Administrators Garden, Suzhou Musuem, Panmen Gate, Shantang Street, Suzhou No.1 Silk Mill
Tour Style：Riding on first class seat bullet train from Shanghai to Suzhou, one of the most popular tourist cities in China is very convenient and suit for travelers who have limited time. This tour is 100% flexible and covers all Suzhou attractions, such as Humble Administrators Garden, Suzhou Musuem, Panmen Gate, Shantang Street and Suzhou No.1 Silk Mill. We will book the entrance ticket onlince in advance to escape the crowd, make you trip more comfortable and relax. Hotel pickup & drop-off, round way train ticket, entrance fee, lunch, private transport and guide are all included.
Duration：6-8 hours
Attractions(Cities)：Lingering Garden, Take Riskshaw, Private Boat Cruise on Grand Canal, Pingjiang Historical Road, Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory
Tour Style：This Suzhou tour from Shanghai is truly the only way to do a trip from Shanghai to Suzhou like this. Having a private driver and a tour guide, not having to worry about taxis mde thing worry free. It's an ideal way for visitors who want to explore the old part of Suzhou, admire the ancient small bridges and black-tiled-roof house while enjoy the private rowing boat cruise on Grand Canal, stroll down Shantang Street to get an insight of Suzhou old lifestyle, experience the rickshaw ride to gain a more understanding of its traditions and culture, visit some famous Chinese classical gardens can not missed.
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