Street view in Wusi Road

CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- The mere mention of Jianjia Bridge, a place name, can confuse even native people in Chongqing. In fact, while people knowing this place name are few and far between, natives are familiar with Wusi Road. Wusi Road, situated in the downtown area of Chongqing, is home to many skyscrapers and businesses. Its previous name is Jianjia Bridge, which is pregnant with historical meanings.

From Jianjia Bridge to Wusi Road

It is recorded that Jianyi, born in Ba County, Chongqing, was awarded the title of Jinshi, by Zhu Yuanzhang, then emperor, in the 18th year of Hongwu, Ming dynasty. Afterwards, Jianyi occupied the high post in the court for continuous 50 years and enjoyed the favors of emperors of 6 generations.

Jianyi’s descendants included Jian Xian, Jian Gao, Jian Chao, etc. Despite the fact that few remarkable achievements were made by the Jian Family in the Ming dynasty, they built many ornamental monumental columns, residential houses, and temples in the urban area of Chongqing. Thus the place names such as Jianjia Alley and Jianjia Bridge gradually came into being.

In 2005, the grave of Jian Quan, one member of Jian Family, was discovered in Yubei district, Chongqing.

Then what is the reason behind the place name change? In 1939, when Chongqing was heavily bombarded by Japanese intruders, landscapes and buildings in Jianjia Bridge were burned down in both the May 3rd and May 4th bombings. All the houses were annihilated in the 3-day-long fire.

After the anti-Japanese war in 1945, the street was reconstructed and renamed as Wusi Road, in commemoration of past hardship.