Centuries of footsteps have polished the sandstone deck of Wanzi Bridge to a smooth, mirror-like sheen. This single-arch stone structure spans the Zhonghe River in Lijiang Old Town, marking the quiet junction where Qiyi Street meets Chongren Alley. The bridge measures nine meters long, 4.2 meters wide, and 3.2 meters high, with an arch spanning four meters. Its builders selected a rare sandstone composed of naturally cemented sand grains and tiny pebbles. This porous material, rough to the touch, resembles thousands of tiny seeds.

In the Ming Dynasty, a wealthy local couple surnamed Yang funded the construction. Childless and seeking to accumulate moral merit, they hoped the seed-like stones would bless them with descendants, giving the bridge its name, Wanzi, meaning ten thousand children. In 1639, the geographer Xu Xiake stayed in a wooden house beside the water, recording the river systems by candlelight. Local Naxi residents call the crossing Cimuze, named for the catalpa trees that once shaded the banks. It forms part of the Seven Star Bridges, a network aligned to mimic the Big Dipper constellation across the water system.

In 1731, the scholar Wan Xanyan and philanthropist Zhao Liangbi rebuilt the bridge, preserving its original form. Later, the Naxi painter Zhou Lin lived and worked beside these stone balustrades, which double as benches for weary travelers. Today, the cold mountain water rushes beneath the arch, carrying the whispers of centuries. The solid stone balustrades offer a quiet resting place.