Thousands gathered at Beijing’s Summer Palace this week to witness one of nature’s most precise light shows – the winter solstice sunset aligning perfectly with the Seventeen-Arch Bridge. On December 22, 2025, the golden hour transformed the 17 stone arches into glowing portals as sunlight pierced through each opening over Kunming Lake. 🏯
This 300-year-old architectural marvel becomes a celestial calendar every year, with the low-angled sun creating a fiery corridor through its arches. Locals and travelers alike braved the cold for hours, capturing the slow-motion spectacle on phones and cameras alike. One visitor described it as 'like watching liquid gold pour through history.'
While this year’s event has passed, mark your calendars for 2026! As days gradually lengthen after the solstice, the bridge stands ready to repeat its annual dance with the sun – a timeless reminder of ancient astronomy meeting imperial engineering. 🔭🌉
