Gongchen Bridge, affectionately called “the last gateway of the Grand Canal” by local boatmen, is widely recognized as the symbolic southern terminus of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. It’s not that the canal ends here—but the bridge marks the cultural endpoint, a landmark that has carried this meaning for centuries.

 

Built entirely of granite, it’s a three-arch stone bridge stretching 98 meters in length, standing 16 meters tall with a width of 5.9 meters. Its arches were designed just right—high enough for barges to pass smoothly and strong enough to withstand flooding. What’s more, carved on each of the four stone fenders beside the central arch is a “Paxia”—a mythical water-dwelling creature known as one of the nine sons of the dragon. Old-timers believe it guards the bridge and calms the waters, bringing safety to those who sail under.

 

The name “Gongchen” also tells a story: “Gong” means to bow in respect, and “Chen” refers to the emperor. It’s said the bridge was named to welcome imperial inspections during ancient dynastic tours along the canal. From the grain and silk transports of the Ming and Qing eras to today’s cultural tourism boats, Gongchen Bridge remains not just a structure, but the soul of the canal—an enduring landmark in the hearts of Hangzhou people.