When it comes to Beixin Qiao, the subdistrict reminds people of Ken Street, Yonghe Lama Temple and Locked Dragon Well…Here is a catch: where is the bridge of Beixinqiao Subdistrict?

On the south side of Beixin Bridge, there was once a wooden bridge, which should have been erected over the drainage canal of New Taicang. At the east side of the New Taicang stood North Gouyan which means a drainage canal on the east side of the warehouse. It can be guessed that there is also a north-south canal near the west wall in ancient times and then a wooden bridge had been erected on it. As time went by, the wear degree of the bridge gradually increased, so a new stone bridge was built at the northern part of the bridge. Hence Beixinqiao, literally new bridge on the north, got its name from the local residents.  

There is a well, Locked Dragon Well, in Jingzhong Temple at the northeast corner of Beixinqiao Street, which can always become the topic of conversation among native Beijingers. 

Legend has it that when Beijing was being built, an evil dragon appeared and brought hard on local people. Liu Bowen, a Chinese military strategist, philosopher, and politician in the Ming Dynasty contrived to capture the dragon and locked it in the well. The dragon asked Liu Bowen when Liu could release him. Liu Bowen replied, "You just hope that when the bridge is old, you can come out." Liu then named the bridge Beixin Bridge, meaning that it would never be worn and become old and the dragon would no longer be able to raise the devil. Here is another version in terms of the root of Beixin Bridge. 

Translator: ZHANG Ruochen

Reviewer: WANG Yiwen