Songzi Laifeng Bridge

The Songzi Laifeng Bridge, a pearl of Xitang Ancient Town, spans the river of time, connecting dreams from ancient times to the present. With its carved beams and painted rafters, every brick and tile of the bridge speaks of the splendor of the Ming Dynasty.

Walking across it, one side is filled with gentle legends about praying for children, the other side carries the beautiful meaning of wishing for a phoenix to bring good luck. In spring, enjoy the blooming cherry blossoms, in summer, the misty rain, in autumn, the bright moon, and in winter, the snow-covered tiles. The changing seasons bring a different view. Stepping onto this bridge is like embarking on a journey across time and space, a journey that will leave you reluctant to leave.

Rebuilt in 1997, the Songzi Laifeng Bridge boasts a unique shape and structure, making it a popular tourist attraction. Locals call it the "Sunny and Rainy Bridge." The rooftop canopy and brick-paved benches provide a great place for visitors to rest and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

A very functional bridge with steps on one side and a slope on the other. People can cross the bridge with carts or on foot, and they can also rest their feet on the beautiful bench beside the bridge.

Are there other people's wishes written on the walls of the bridge? I didn't read them anyway, so I didn't want to read them.

This bridge is very unique. In addition to the belief that it is a bridge for praying for children, it also means that men should walk on the left and women on the right. Men who walk on the left will be promoted step by step, while women who walk on the right will maintain a stable family.

Laifeng Bridge, located on the east side of Xiaotong Street, was built in 1637 (the 10th year of the Chongzhen reign of the Ming Dynasty). It is a three-arch stone slab bridge. Legend has it that during its construction, a bird flew over, which the builders considered a good omen and named it "Sending a Child Laifeng Bridge." It was rebuilt in the 48th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty and the 15th year of the Daoguang reign.

Men on the left, women on the right [Songzi Laifeng Bridge]:

This bridge is very unique. In addition to the saying that it is good for children, there is also the saying that men walk on the left and women on the right. Men walk on the left, step by step, and rise, while women walk on the right, and maintain a stable family. The structures on the left and right are different. This photo was taken at night and it felt very different, so I uploaded the original photo. This is a bridge that you must visit when you go to Xitang. It is highly recommended. The feeling at night is very different from that during the day. I like Laifeng Bridge at night.

The Songzi Laifeng Bridge is not the best bridge in Xitang, but it is the most suitable for taking pictures. Even if you stand on the Songzi Laifeng Bridge, you can enjoy the scenery of Xitang. It is not suitable for night view.

A section of the covered bridge in the Misty Rain Corridor is called the "Songzi Laifeng Bridge." It was first built in 1637, the tenth year of the Chongzhen reign of the Ming Dynasty. It was rebuilt in 1710, the forty-eighth year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty, and in 1836, the fifteenth year of the Daoguang reign. The current bridge was rebuilt in 1997. The bridge's shape is unique, and there are several legends about it. A flower wall divides the bridge into two sections: the south side, which is yang, has steps, while the north side, which is yin, has a slope. While it's understandable that women walking down the slope symbolizes "stability," do men never descend the bridge after ascending the steps?

The Songzi Laifeng Bridge was built in the Ming Dynasty. It is the absolute center of Xitang Ancient Town. The three-arch stone slab bridge connects the West Street and the Misty Rain Corridor. It is also the first pier of the ancient town, and the original function of "bridge" is fully reflected.



Legend has it that when the bridge was being built, a large bird flew over. The builders believed it was a good omen and named it "Sending Children to the Phoenix Bridge".



There is a slope on one side of the bridge and steps on the other side. If you want a son, you walk up the steps, and if you want a daughter, you climb the slope. It is quite meaningful.



Xitang was once a unique scenery, but it was destroyed beyond recognition by people later on. If it was graffiti with an artistic feel, it would be debatable, but it was filled with random carvings and drawings, which completely ruined the bridge... It's heartbreaking!

The meaning is very good. This place gives people a very comfortable feeling, away from the hustle and bustle of the big city, with small bridges and flowing water. Of course, there should not be too many tourists, otherwise it will not feel this way. The Songzi Laifeng Bridge, also known as the Laifeng Songzi Bridge, is a three-arch stone slab bridge built during the Chongzhen period. There are rivers and boats on both sides of the bridge, and the scenery is very nice.

This is a very distinctive bridge in Xitang. One side of the bridge has steps, and the other side is a slope. Men walk on the steps, while women walk on the slope. The bridge is covered with a canopy, and its red eaves and black tiles create a quaint yet modern feel. There are guardrails on both sides, and long, brick-paved benches for visitors to rest. The bridge is flanked by a stream and boats, creating a beautiful scene. The walls are now covered in tourist graffiti, adding a unique touch of charm.

The scenery on the bridge is very unique, and the night view of the bridge from under the bridge is very beautiful!

It’s actually just a bridge. There are many bridges in Xitang, and they are all similar.

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The most distinctive bridge in Xitang, the slogans on the bridge are also very interesting.

Today's scenery is truly beautiful. I love it. Is this the so-called dreamlike water town? It's truly dreamy, like a dream.

There are also some delicious foods here that you can't miss, especially the lotus chicken at Wan'anqiao Restaurant, which tastes super good. Recommended

The Songzi Laifeng Bridge is a typical covered bridge building. Local people come here to pray for children. It is said that the heroine of the movie "The Bridges of Madison County" also came here and marveled at the beautiful scenery nearby.

The "Songzi Laifeng Bridge" is located on the east side of Xiaotong Street. Built in 1637 (the tenth year of the Chongzhen reign of the Ming Dynasty), it is a three-arch stone slab bridge. Walking across this bridge requires some careful consideration: the south side features steps, while the north side slopes down. Men ascend the steps, while women, with their three-inch golden lotus feet, take small steps, symbolizing stability in household management. Elderly people say, "For newlyweds, walking across this bridge in the south brings children, while walking across it in the north brings them prosperity." For those who haven't had children yet, it's worth a try.

Meryl Streep, the heroine of the international movie "The Bridges of Madison County", came to Xitang and walked on this covered bridge. She smiled and said: If I had walked on the covered bridge here first, perhaps there would not be "The Bridges of Madison County" in the United States.

So this time when I came to Xitang, I also went here for a walk, hoping that it would bring me a lot of good luck. I really like it.

The food here is also very good, super delicious. This time we specially went to the best food store in Xitang: Mengli Shuixiang Restaurant. The food tasted really well-deserved. It is worthy of being an old store for many years. It is very good and the price is not expensive. It is very good.

Legend has it that when the bridge was being built, a bird flew over. The builders believed it was a good omen and named it "Sending Children to the Phoenix Bridge".

I feel that ancient people were so perfunctory, hhh

I visited Xitang on a road trip in April 2008. Back then, it was still a relatively newly developed old town, with buildings beginning to take shape, few tourists, and simple folk customs. In early spring, with the warmth and blossoms, the town seemed even more tranquil and elegant when I woke up early in the morning, strolling through the streets before the tourists arrived. Walking through the narrow bluestone-paved alleys in the rain, the faint fragrance of rapeseed flowers wafting through the damp air, I was deeply captivated by this ancient town.



Here are the photos I took at that time. You can see how much it has changed.

Some tourists are truly uncultured. The entire wall is covered in graffiti, with messages like "Just a visit" and "Forever"—what's the mentality of people who write "Forever"? Those who write "I wish you'll break up as soon as you leave the area." It's impossible to find a single spot to take a photo in the entire attraction; no matter which angle you take in, you can capture the glaring graffiti on the white walls! !!!!!!!!!

The last bridge in the Misty Corridor is larger than ordinary bridges, and there are many boats next to it.

Don't worry about your graffiti, our staff will restore it every day!

According to the Xitang Town Chronicles, Laifeng Bridge was built in 1637, the tenth year of the Chongzhen reign of the Ming Dynasty, and was rebuilt twice during the Qing Dynasty. Legend has it that when the bridge was first constructed, a bird flew over, and the locals considered it an auspicious omen, hence the name "Sending Children and Laifeng Bridge." In 1988, it was rebuilt into a single-span reinforced concrete arch bridge. Reconstructed in 1998, it adopts the "double corridor" design of classical gardens, with a central wall and flower windows, and two passageways on either side. It's said that newlyweds crossing this bridge, with the man on the left and the woman on the right, are predicted to have children. The bridge is also known as "Dripping Water Bridge in Rain and Sunny Day," a play on the "Lovers' Bridge." The former evokes images of rainy days, so wouldn't it be nice to sit and relax here and enjoy a drink? A man walking up the steps naturally leads to success, while a woman with her lotus feet taking small steps signifies stability in the household. Elders say, "A newlywed couple walking along this path will bring children to the south, and bring them to the north." If you're still unmarried, consider taking this walk.

There are many signatures and graffiti on the walls of the bridge, and next to it is the ferry terminal

The name of this bridge is strange, but it has its own history

One side of the bridge is a slope and the other side is a step.

A boy is born on the left, a girl is born on the right.

There is a hollow flower wall in the middle, which makes it convenient for the two to see each other.

This sounds very romantic and beautiful, so we came! By the way, we also left our footprints with my lover!

It's a very interesting bridge. When I went there, I happened to meet the tour guide explaining it. She said that if you want a son, you should take the stairs, and if you want a daughter, you should take the slope. I heard there's an allusion to this. I need to go back home and search Baidu. Haha. The white walls of the bridge are covered with all kinds of declarations of love and dreams painted by tourists. It seems to have affected the appearance. But I wish your dreams come true.

To be honest, it's really not very delicious. I ordered a three-fresh dish and the fish was edible. The shrimps were small and not fresh. The pepper and salt pumpkin was ok. The white-cut chicken was half a child chicken. My husband runs a restaurant and he said the chicken had been in the refrigerator for several days. The three-fresh dish told me to eat the fish and not eat anything else. I didn't eat anything else. I used Meituan to pay 102 yuan in cash. The boss lady said I could just pay directly. It's better to eat outside the scenic area.

It's been a while, but you can check it out.

You have to cross this bridge to get to the inn where I live. I joked with my cousin at that time, asking whether she wanted to have a boy or a girl.

The night view is very beautiful. Legend has it that if you walk on the left, you will give birth to a son, and if you walk on the right, you will give birth to a daughter.

The saying goes, "A newlywed couple takes a walk, and if they go south, they will have children, and if they go north, they will have phoenixes." The meaning is quite interesting and worth a try. The attraction is within the scenic area, so no tickets are required. Wupeng boats are available nearby.

There were so many people at the wedding candy store, and it had a strong commercial atmosphere.

Next to the Songzi Laifeng Bridge is the cruise ship pier! The bridge is just like any other Jiangnan Bridge, but the name is auspicious.

The locals are very enthusiastic and happy to answer questions.

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This is probably a special bridge in Xitang. It has a bit of a corridor feel, but the bridge is covered with graffiti.

On the east side of Xiaotongwei in Xitang Town, connecting Chaonandai Street, is a three-arch stone slab bridge.

The Laifeng Bridge, known as the "Songzi Laifeng Bridge," was rebuilt in the 48th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign and the 15th year of the Daoguang Emperor's reign. Reconstructed in 1997, its unique shape and structure make it a popular tourist attraction. Locals call it the "Sunny or Rainy Bridge." The rooftop canopy and brick-paved benches provide a pleasant spot for visitors to rest and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The most striking feature of the "Songzi Laifeng Bridge," reflecting the meticulous nature of the Xitang people, is the bifurcated stone steps: the left side is for men, while the right side features a slight slope.

The Songzi Laifeng Bridge...day and night...the town's longest bridge...connecting the Misty Rain Corridor to the small pier...I was always wondering why it had such a strange and unlucky name...but then I searched Baidu and learned: Legend has it that when the bridge was being built, a bird flew over, and everyone thought it was a good omen, hence the name...

I remembered this bridge when I looked through the photos. I forgot the story behind it, but I only remember buying two delicious pickled mustard greens cakes before going up the bridge, haha.

Although I don’t quite understand the origin of this name, the view is pretty good.

The Songzi Laifeng Bridge is commonly known by Xitang residents as the "Sunny and Rainy Bridge." The bridge boasts a roof and long benches paved with square bricks. The bridge's most striking feature, reflecting the Xitang people's meticulous nature, is its bifurcated stone steps. The left side is for men, while the right side features a slight slope. This was designed to accommodate the inconvenience of women with bound feet, who often had smaller steps. While visiting Xitang, I heard a different story about walking on this bridge: the south side features steps, while the north side features a slope. Men ascend the steps, while women, with their delicate feet, take small steps, symbolizing stability and safety. Elders say, "A newlywed couple walking on this bridge will be blessed with a child if they walk south, and a phoenix if they walk north." For those who haven't had children yet, consider this walk.

This bridge is so cool just because Tom Cruise ran across it. When Tom Cruise ran across it, it was a white wall, but now it's a flower wall, haha. Xitang is suitable for moving a stool and sitting by the river to bask in the sun, rather than strolling around. And don't go to the barbecue street, the food is so bad that it's explosive.

It is said that if you want a boy or girl, you have to walk across the bridge from different sides. However, in the end we still didn’t know which side was for the boy and which was for the girl...so we just walked across each side once and got twins!

Next to it is a cruise ship... There is a white wall on this bridge, and many people have left messages on it... Although it is very distinctive, it is not that aesthetically pleasing...

We just passed by there the next day and it was nice to take pictures on the bridge next to it.

In fact, the Xitang scenic area is not that big, and you should be able to pass this bridge no matter which way you go. The scenery standing on the bridge is actually not as good as the previous arch bridge, but there is a wall on the bridge, and there seem to be various wishes written on both sides. This is a small feature.

The scenery is beautiful and there are many people coming and going.

It's a small bridge in Xitang. It has been painted beyond recognition.

The Songzi Laifeng Bridge embodies people's good wishes. Now the bridge has become a message wall. I personally think leaving messages is ok, but it is unnecessary to write some messy and meaningless nonsense. What a quality!

There were so many people inside that I saw tourists writing words like "love" on the wall. I don't think this is a good idea.

The stained glass windows in the middle of the bridge are beautifully shaped. When taking photos through the windows, people, the waterscape and the buildings behind them merge into one, and different pictures are formed through different windows. Unfortunately, there are too many people here, which lacks the tranquil beauty that a water town should have.

Let's write down your vows of love and support each other.

It is a classic Jiangnan water town. The place is small and crowded. The road is narrow.

A mysterious place you can reach from any direction. I recommend the sesame cakes under the bridge. It looks great for taking photos.

What a great place, sunny days have the beauty of sunny days, rainy days have the taste of rainy days

Songzi Laifeng Bridge is a special bridge in Xitang. It is about 10 meters wide and has a roof. There are seats on the side of the bridge. Passers-by can sit and rest and enjoy the view. There is a stained glass window in the middle of the bridge, and people can pass on both sides. It is said that newlyweds in Xitang have to walk on the bridge, with men on the left and women on the right, so it is also called the "Lovers' Bridge".

This is a covered covered bridge in Xitang. Its distinctive feature is the graffiti! The graffiti reflects the excitement of young people from all over the country arriving in Xitang. It's so densely covered that one forgets the bridge's original purpose. The bridge is quite spacious, with seating areas on either side. Sitting on the bridge, it's easy to appreciate Xitang's waterside charm. My wife, who liked the shops under the bridge, wandered around for a while, while I sat on the bridge with my child for a while longer, taking in the graffiti and sharing the emotions of tourists from around the country. We also got to escape the sun and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Xitang.

Xitang is small, and the famous attractions are easy to find. There are all kinds of graffiti on the white walls of the bridge, which is very unsightly.

The wall was covered in graffiti, with many obscene and explicit words.

Just for fun

And we all went to Xitang

Why not go to the Songzi Laifeng Bridge?

Maybe if you go through all of them, you can really get pregnant with a boy or a girl.

There were a lot of people taking pictures there during the day, and it was hard to squeeze in. So I took advantage of the early morning when the tourists hadn't come in yet to take pictures.

This is Xitang's most famous ancient bridge. Legend has it that a bird flew over during its construction, and the builders considered it an auspicious omen, so they named it "Laifeng Bridge." Later, a son was born to a family living near the bridge. Locals, believing the new bridge brought good luck, also called it "Songzi Bridge." The phrase "Laifeng" comes first, followed by "Songzi," but due to the prevailing male chauvinism at the time, the name "Songzi Laifeng Bridge" was reversed. A wall divides the bridge into two passages. Legend has it that a couple walking together to the south will give birth to a son, while walking north will give birth to a daughter. Walking separately will result in twins, a boy and a girl. Perhaps driven by this legend, the wall is now covered in graffiti from tourists expressing their love and hopes for children. Seeing this kind of destruction of cultural relics caused by the stubbornly stubborn Chinese habit is truly infuriating and heartbreaking. By the way, the cherry trees beside the bridge are also a great attraction.

There are a lot of people here, and the walls are covered with words. You can stay here at night to enjoy the night view. Next to it is the cruise ship pier, and renting a boat costs 150 yuan.

There is a large wall for leaving messages. There are many bridges in Xitang, but the Songzi Laifeng Bridge is the most famous, and there is also the Huanxiu Bridge, which is a typical Jiangnan style.

There are crowds of people there at night, but you can still walk along the bridge. It is much quieter in the morning.

The walls are all written by tourists. I personally prefer the Jiangnan Water Village.