As dusk falls over Beijing's Summer Palace, the Seventeen-Arch Bridge seems to straddle worlds. The setting sun bathes its arches in brilliant gold during the winter solstice, casting a reflection over the liquid mirror of Kunming Lake.

The bridge's iconic silhouette, designed for solar alignment, is etched in stark contrast against the winter sky, revealing the time-honored wisdom behind its structural rhythm. Standing in the chill air as the sun's fading fingers brush over the ancient masonry – time seems to pause, offering a moment of quiet majesty.