Yansi Bridge a CritiCal link in river trade in Anting Old Town

Yansi Bridge

ON Anting Historic Street，the Yansi Bridge is the only ancient stone bridge that has survived to modern times.It was built in 1374 and has stood steadfast as the area around it grew and developed into a modern urban setting.

Anting is a famous town in his-tory.It began in the Hang Dynasty（206 BC—AD 220）as a courier station，then evolved into a village during the Tang（AD 61 8—907）and Song（960—1279）dynasties.By the Ming Dynasty（1368—1644），Ant-ing waS a prosperous river trading town.As its population grew，local governments built bridges across the waterways that criss-cross the area.

The location of the Yansi Bridge was especially critical because it served as a link between the Yanjin and Sijin rivers.

The markets and residential areas of Anting Old Town extended steadily outward，forming today's pattern of“one bridge plus four streets.”

Standing on the bridge，one can easily slip back in time to imagine ancient eras when local people，in their hand-woven indigo cloth ing，came from afar to Anting to sell rice，vegetables，fruits and fabrics，and to buy wine，salt，sugar and vinegar.Lively markets operated from sun-rise to dusk.The area also spawned l ittle restaurantS，inns，teahouses and fabric-dying workshops.