Zhang Guoxian Bridge

Zhang Guoxian Bridge

Zhang Guoxian Bridge is a cultural tourism attraction.

Zhang Guoxian Bridge

　According to local historical records from the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican period, there was an ancient bridge about 25 kilometers south of Gaizhou Town, Gaixian County (now Haozi Village, Bayuquan District, Yingkou City), called Xianshui Bridge. The bridge was built over the Lengshui River, constructed of stone, approximately 500 meters in length, and was very grand in scale. The water flowing beneath the bridge was icy cold in summer, so cold it was bone-chilling, and no one dared to enter it, hence the name Lengshui River (Cold Water River). Yet, it never froze even during the bitter cold of winter — truly a marvel.

People believed the water of the Lengshui River to be some kind of divine or sacred water, which led to the bridge also being called Xianshui Bridge (Immortal Water Bridge). Local elders passed down a tale that Zhang Guolao, while wandering the land on his donkey, once visited this place. After drinking too much, he accidentally fell off the bridge, leaving behind the imprints of his palm and the hoof prints of his donkey on the flat stones of the bridge. Ever since, people renamed Xianshui Bridge to Zhang Guoxian Bridge, commonly known as Zhang Guolao Bridge or Zhang Gegao Bridge. In truth, there is nothing particularly remarkable about Zhang Guolao Bridge itself; however, due to the splendid myths attributed to it, it attracted many visitors and was thus listed among the Eight Scenic Spots of Xiongyue. There is no way to verify in which dynasty Zhang Guolao Bridge was built, but the bridge has now completely collapsed.