Chaozong Bridge, Stone arch bridge in Shahe, Changping, China

Chaozong Bridge is a seven-arch stone bridge spanning the North Sha River in Changping District, Beijing. It is 130 metres long, 13.3 metres wide and 7.5 metres high at its centre, with 53 pairs of stone balustrade posts along its sides. The bridge still carries traffic on the western side road of the Badaling Expressway.

In 1447, the Ming court replaced the wooden bridges over the North and South Sha Rivers with stone ones; the northern bridge was named Chaozong. It was built by Wang Yongshou, right vice minister of works, as recorded in the Rixia Jiuwen Kao. The bridge carried emperors and officials to the Ming Tombs and was one of the three great bridges guarding the capital. In July 1937 Japanese shelling left marks still visible.

The stone railings show traditional Chinese craftsmanship in bridge construction that remains visible today. These details tell of the skilled stoneworkers who built the structure generations ago.

The bridge is fully passable for vehicles and pedestrians, offering a natural way to cross the river if traveling through the area. It is best visited during daylight to see the stonework clearly.

At the north end of the bridge, on the east side, stands a white marble stele erected in 1576, the fourth year of the Wanli reign. It is 4.08 metres tall and 1.1 metres wide, set on a square base with chi-dragon heads, and both faces of its crown carry the seal-script characters "Daming".