Information
Landmark: Broken BridgeCity: Hangzhou
Country: China
Continent: Asia
Broken Bridge, Hangzhou, China, Asia
Overview
The Broken Bridge (断桥, Duàn Qiáo) is among West Lake’s most celebrated sights in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, where its pale stone arches stretch quietly over the water.Broken Bridge, with its sweeping river views, rich history, and deep cultural roots, draws countless visitors and still lives vividly in local stories.One.The Broken Bridge crosses West Lake in Hangzhou, linking the northeast and southwest banks, its pale stone arch reflected in the water below.From the bridge, you can take in sweeping views of the lake, its surface glittering in the sun, and the rolling hills beyond.Famous Name: The name might fool you, but the bridge stands solid, its steel beams gleaming in the sun.People call it “Broken” because from certain angles-especially in winter, when the water rises and falls-the bridge looks as if the lake has sliced it clean in two.The name now feels woven into the bridge’s quiet charm, carrying a hint of mist and mystery.The Broken Bridge, a landmark of West Lake, was built during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1735–1796), when stone arches still echoed with the sound of cartwheels.The bridge adds to the lake’s quiet beauty, and though it’s younger than many of Hangzhou’s older landmarks, it’s woven into the region’s stories and poems like ripples in the water.Number two.The Broken Bridge holds deep cultural meaning, tied to the famous Legend of the White Snake (白蛇传, Bái Shé Chuán), a tale that’s woven through Chinese folklore for hundreds of years.Legend says Bai Suzhen, a white snake spirit, took the form of a striking young woman and fell for a mortal man named Xu Xian.Their love story breaks your heart-they’re torn apart for years, then find each other again on a cold spring night.In the story, the monk Fa Hai tears Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian apart, sealing the White Snake away with a flash of his dark magic.In one telling, the couple meets again at Broken Bridge, where the worn stones seem to hold the ache of their parting and the quiet joy of coming together once more.For that reason, Broken Bridge has come to stand for love, separation, and the ache of romantic longing, turning it into one of Hangzhou’s most treasured landmarks where couples often pause to watch the ripples on West Lake.Three.The Broken Bridge is built from stone in a graceful arch, high enough for small boats to glide through underneath.It’s roughly 9 meters wide-about the span of a city bus-and stretches close to 20 meters in length.The bridge’s arch sweeps low over the water, yet it carries a quiet grace that makes it beautiful.The bridge is built mainly from solid granite, its grey stone lending a sturdy, old-world charm that blends seamlessly with the blue shimmer of the lake and the trees along its shore.From the bridge, you can gaze across the lake toward the northern shore, where mountains rise behind graceful pagodas, creating one of West Lake’s most stunning views.Number four.The best time to see Broken Bridge is in spring, from March to May, when the air feels mild and cherry blossoms spill pink petals beside the soft green of new willow leaves.Summer, from June to August, draws plenty of visitors, but expect busy streets and long café lines.You can stroll past the lake’s rich green banks, and when evening falls, the water glows softly in the fading light.Autumn, from September through November, brings crisp air and bursts of red and gold in the trees, making it a perfect season for sightseeing.Shifting autumn leaves ripple across the water, their colors deepening the quiet charm of the bridge.Winter, from December to February, tends to be calm, with soft mist curling over the lake at dawn, turning the scene into something almost otherworldly.In winter, when the water sinks low and the rocks beneath jut into the cold air, the bridge’s “broken” look stands out more than ever.Number five sat alone, a small mark on the page like a pebble in white sand.Legend of the White Snake and Broken Bridge: As mentioned earlier, the tale is closely tied to the Broken Bridge, where mist often curls over the stone at dawn.In the story, Bai Suzhen meets Xu Xian on a quiet bridge, the air smelling faintly of rain, but their romance is cut short when the monk Fa Hai steps in to part them.People say the bridge is where lovers meet again, a place that carries the weight of hope, the promise of forever, and the storms they’ve weathered together.The bridge holds a central place in Chinese art, literature, and opera, appearing in ink paintings, on pages, and under stage lights.The Legend of the White Snake has been retold countless times in Chinese opera, film, and literature, often bringing to life the haunting moment when the lovers part-or meet again-on the misty span of Broken Bridge.Number six stood alone, sharp as ink on the page.The Broken Bridge sits in one of West Lake’s most beautiful spots, near its northeast corner, where willows lean over the water.It’s a perfect place to start wandering, with plenty of other sights close enough to visit in the same trip.Take a boat out on the water, stroll along the quiet lakefront, and take in sweeping views of green hills dotted with pagodas and ancient temples.Just south of the bridge, Leifeng Pagoda rises above the trees, giving you sweeping views of the lake and the green hills beyond.This pagoda’s known for its legendary tie to the White Snake tale, where the river breeze seems to carry whispers of the story.Suzhou Causeway sits just by the bridge, offering a quiet stroll with sweeping views of West Lake, where pink lotus blooms drift gently on the water.Baoshi Mountain rises as a rocky hill with sweeping views of the lake, and it’s also where you’ll find Jingci Temple, a Buddhist sanctuary whose bells have rung for more than a thousand years.Seven.Getting to Broken Bridge is easy-it sits in the West Lake Scenic Area, just a short ride from Hangzhou’s city center, where willow trees sway along quiet streets.By taxi, you’ll be there in about 10 to 15 minutes from either Hangzhou Railway Station or East Railway Station-just enough time to watch the streets blur past.Plenty of buses run past the West Lake area, and you can hop off at the Broken Bridge stop, right where the water shimmers in the sunlight.If you’re already close to West Lake, you can stroll to the Broken Bridge in just a few minutes, folding it neatly into a longer walk around the lake’s tree-lined paths.Eight.In the end, Broken Bridge stands as one of Hangzhou’s most beloved and romantic spots, where you can watch sunlight glint off West Lake’s ripples and feel the pull of the city’s deep cultural and mythical past.Maybe it’s the whispered legends of love, the sweep of jade-green water under the span, or just the quiet magic of the place-whatever pulls you in, Broken Bridge has something for you.No trip to Hangzhou feels complete without it, and the place offers a quiet grace-like the soft ripple of water-that draws anyone in search of peace and beauty.
