According to historical records, Gao Bridge was built in the second year of the Yuantong Period (1334) in the Yuan Dynasty, Zhou bridge in the tenth month of the second year of Tianli Period (1329), and Zhoujing Bridge in the eleventh month of first year of Zhishun Period (1330). Well Pavilion Bridge and Jinji Bridge were reconstructed in the second year of Yuantong Period (1334) by a monk living in the Nanguang Temple close to the bridges.
The arched stone bridges in Taicang were built with bluestones. Zhou Bridge, Zhoujing Bridge, and Well Pavilion Bridge have three arches and Gao Bridge and Jinji Bridge have a single arch. Those five bridges are consistent in architectural style. Their arches were constructed section by section on parallel sides. As for the arch forms, Zhoujing Bridge and Well Pavilion Bridges are circular, while the others are in egg shape. Most bridges are wider at the ends than in the middle, a way to maintain good lateral stability. The bridge bodies are pulled by long tying stones. Stone carvings, which add more artistic flavor to the bridges, are seen at places such as the vaulted stones, rail boards, and bridge columns. As for the location of the five bridges, they have one thing in common. Gao Bridge, Zhou Bridge, and Zhoujing Bridge, taking north-south trends and being 1,500 meters apart from each other, were built from west to east over the same river, Zhihetang River, in Chengxiang Town, while Well Pavilion Bridge and Jinji Bridge, taking north-south trends and being 400 meters apart, were built along the same Gugangshen road within the territory of Xinfeng Village in the southern suburb of Chengxiang Town.
Taicang and Liujiagang were two very important ports during the Yuan Dynasty. They were the starting ports for the grains transportation on the seas, known as "the port for six countries". The existing five stone bridges are the best testimonies of the social and economic development in Taicang city in the Yuan Dynasty.