The spring breeze brings summer rain

Xingchun Bridge was built in the Song Dynasty and is located halfway along Shangfangshan Road in the Shihu Scenic Area of Suzhou. It is a semi-circular arch bridge with nine arches and thin piers. The bridge runs east to west and is 54 meters long. It is 5.2 meters wide in the middle, with a central span of 5.3 meters and a height of 26 meters. To the west of Yuecheng Bridge, it spans the northern shore of Shihu Lake and is a nine-arched stone bridge originally built in the Song Dynasty. Every year on the 18th day of the eighth lunar month, it is said that each arch of the bridge reflects a moon in the water, forming a string of moons. The "Shihu String Moon" festival has become a local custom in Wu. The exact date of the bridge's initial construction is unknown, but it was rebuilt in the 16th year of the Chunxi era (1189) during the Southern Song Dynasty, as recorded by the poet Fan Chengda. The area is known for its picturesque scenery, with clear mountains and waters, and reflections of towers in the waves. Fan Chengda's "Record of Xingchun Bridge" states: "People come and go, as if walking in a painting. Anyone who visits Wu without coming to Shihu and climbing Xingchun Bridge is no different from someone who has never been here." The bridge was repaired again during the Chenghua and Chongzhen periods of the Ming Dynasty. When the Nationalist army retreated in 1949, they dismantled four arches on the east side of the bridge. It was repaired in 1953 and rebuilt in 1957. The bridge is constructed of granite, but the long stones are made of Wukang stone, with beast faces carved at the ends, possibly remnants from the Song Dynasty. The railings are made of stone slabs, with each post topped by a carved lion. The bridge has a gentle slope, resembling a long rainbow. In old Suzhou, it was customary to visit Shihu Lake on the 18th day of the eighth lunar month to see the string of moons under Xingchun Bridge. It is said that on this day, as the moon rises, its reflection appears in the bridge arches, forming a string. The entire city would come out to visit Shihu Lake and climb Xingchun Bridge, with boats filling the water and music and dance continuing throughout the night. Qing Dynasty poet You Tong wrote: "I often take my children to see the string of moons and listen to the flute by Xingchun Bridge." The Shihu Scenic Area is 750 meters from Exit 1B of Shihu North Station on Metro Line 3.