Visit Here: Tianqiao Bridge Replica

As we continue our Visit Here series, we move closer to the city center for a look at a few spots that we think, while they may not be on any Beijing top sights lists, are definitely worth going out of your way to visit.

Back at it again in the throes of summer, this time closer to the city center with a jaunt over to...  

Tianqiao Bridge 

Spanning what used to be a small drainage ditch splitting the Central Axis in two, Tianqiao Bridge (天桥 Tiānqiáo) aka “Heavenly Bridge” was constructed over 600 years ago during the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368) and saw use during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties.  

The small bridge mainly served as a means for getting Imperial processions to and from the temples of Heaven and Agriculture for annual ceremonies. While the original is lost to time, this replica today serves the purpose of shedding light on the history of the Central Axis. 

Why Visit? 

Much like the Central Axis, visiting the bridge is free of charge, making it an ideal spot to hit on a Beijing history day trek. The bridge is near Qianmen, Tianqiao Performing Arts Center, the Temple of Heaven, and a few other historic sites and museums, meaning you can plan your day in the area around it. Plus, it's part of a sort of small park in the middle of the road, making it a good rest spot. 

The Details 

Entry to the park area surrounding Tianqiao Bridge is free, and it's open 24/7. You can find it at the intersection of Yongan Lu (永安路) and Tianqiao Nandajie (天桥南大街) just north of the Beijing Natural History Museum. 

READ: Visit Here: Yaji Mountain Scenic Area

Images: Vincent R. Vinci, Wikimedia Commons: N509FZ (used without alteration under CC BY-SA 4.0)