As Beijing's temperatures dip below freezing, the Seventeen-Arch Bridge at the Summer Palace has drawn crowds witnessing its annual solar spectacle during this year's winter solstice. The 150-meter marble structure, built during the Qing Dynasty, transforms into a gilded masterpiece as sunset light streams perfectly through its 17 arches – an architectural feat aligning precisely with December's celestial rhythms.
"This isn't just engineering – it's poetry in stone," remarked historian Dr. Li Wei, noting how the bridge's 2025 illumination highlights China's ancient astronomical expertise. Visitors from across Asia braved subzero temperatures this week to photograph the phenomenon, with Singaporean tourist Mei Ling describing it as "watching history hold hands with the cosmos."
While the bridge remains a year-round attraction, its solar alignment – calculated using traditional Chinese calendrical systems – continues to demonstrate how imperial architects harmonized structural design with natural patterns. Cultural preservationists emphasize this December's event underscores the enduring relevance of traditional knowledge in modern China.
