Changqiao Park (长桥公园), also known as Long Bridge Park, is situated in the southeastern corner of West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. Renowned for its numerous love stories, it is often referred to as one of the three romantic bridges of West Lake. Legend has it that Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai bid farewell on the Long Bridge, walking back and forth eighteen times. Zhu Yingtai expressed her feelings through eighteen metaphors, famously saying “the road is long, but the bridge is not.” Additionally, there’s a tragic tale associated with this bridge – during the Southern Song Dynasty, the commoner Wang Xuanjiao and the potter’s daughter, Shi’er, faced opposition to their love. In despair, they committed suicide together by the lotus pond near the Long Bridge, hence its nickname “Double Suicide Bridge.”
During the Song Dynasty, the Long Bridge was approximately 500 meters long. Over time, due to the sinking of the lakebed, the bridge gradually shortened. Today, visitors can only walk on a portion of its original length. Thus, the phrase “the Long Bridge is not long, the Broken Bridge is not broken, and Solitary Hill is not solitary” became known as the “Three Wonders of West Lake.” Walking along the Long Bridge allows one to enjoy the picturesque scenery of West Lake, offering a delightful experience for tourists. However, on windy days, waves may splash onto the bridge, potentially causing shoes to get wet, so it’s advisable to choose the right time for sightseeing.
Changqiao Park is also renowned for offering the best vantage point to admire the evening glow of the Leifeng Pagoda. The optimal time to visit is approximately half an hour before sunset when the angle of the setting sun perfectly aligns with the pagoda, creating a harmonious and beautiful light that captures magnificent scenes for photographers and spectators alike.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 0.5 hour |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours a day |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0571-87179617 |
Location and Transportation
Changqiao Park, also known as Long Bridge Park, is located at No. 35 Nanshan Road, West Lake District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. To get there, you can take bus 4, 12, 42, 102, 510, or 1314 and get off at Nanshan Road Wansongling Road Stop (南山路万松岭路口站).
