Puji Bridge (Shanghai)

Puji Bridge 普济桥
Puji Bridge in September 2014.
Coordinates	31°02′07″N 120°55′18″E / 31.0353°N 120.9217°E / 31.0353; 120.9217
Locale	Jinze, Qingpu District, Shanghai
Other name(s)	Shengtang Bridge
Characteristics
Design	Arch Bridge
Material	Stone
Total length	26.7 metres (88 ft)
Width	2.75 metres (9 ft 0 in)
Height	5 metres (16 ft)
Longest span	10.5 metres (34 ft)
History
Construction start	1267
Construction end	1267
Opened	1267
Location

The Puji Bridge (simplified Chinese: 普济桥; traditional Chinese: 普濟橋; pinyin: Pǔjì Qiáo), commonly known as Shengtang Bridge (Chinese: 圣堂桥), is a historic stone arch bridge in the town of Jinze, Qingpu District, Shanghai.^[1]

The bridge is named after Shengtang Temple, a Buddhist temple nearby the bridge.^[1]

The bridge was originally built in 1267, in the 3rd year of Xianchun period (1265–1274) of the Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279). It was renovated in the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368–1911). In 1987 it was inscribed to the fourth batch of Municipal Level Cultural Heritage List by the Shanghai Municipal Government.^[1]

With one arch, Puji Bridge is 26.7 metres (88 ft) long and 5 metres (16 ft) high, very similar to Wan'an Bridge, therefore the two being collectively known as the "Sister Bridges". It is made of a very precious purple stone, namely the fluorite. Washed by rain, it appears shiny purple under the sun, sparkling and colorful.^[1]

• Kang Guojian, ed. (2012). "Jinze Town" 《金泽镇》. 《古镇》 [Ancient Towns] (in English and Chinese). Hefei, Anhui: Huangshan Shushe. ISBN 978-7-5461-2712-5.

• Puji Bridge in Jinze, Qingpu District of Shanghai Bridges in China (in Chinese)