[3] The bridge was constructed in 1757[4] (Qianlong 22), connecting the residences on the north bank of the lake to the back of the Temple of the Lotus Mind to the south.

[3] Its construction was funded by local salt merchants to welcome the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing dynasty during his second southern tour of Jiangnan.

[5][2] The bridge self-consciously mirrored the Five Dragon Pavilions in Beijing, combining with the earlier White Dagoba at the Lianxing Temple to emulate the capital's Beihai Park.

[4] The bridge was greatly damaged during fighting between the Taiping and Qing armies[6] over the course of 1853,[7] with the pavilions entirely destroyed.

[2] The present pavilions rise on scarlet pillars and are covered with imperial yellow tiles.