Thousands gathered at Beijing's Summer Palace on December 22, 2025, to witness the Seventeen-Arch Bridge transform into a golden spectacle during the winter solstice sunset. The 300-meter marble structure, built during the Qing Dynasty, aligned perfectly with the sun's trajectory on the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere.
A Three-Hour Light Symphony
From 3:00 PM local time, visitors observed sunlight gradually filling all seventeen arches of the bridge across Kunming Lake. The phenomenon reached its peak at sunset (4:53 PM Beijing Time), bathing the structure in amber and ochre hues that reflected across the frozen lake surface.
Cultural Significance in Modern Times
This annual event continues to draw both local residents and international travelers, blending astronomical observation with China's architectural heritage. The winter solstice holds traditional importance as a yin-yang balance point in Chinese philosophy, symbolizing the return of longer daylight hours.
