Xiafang Bridge

Xiafang Bridge

Xiafang Bridge is a cultural heritage site protected at the municipal level in Yixing City.

Xiafang Bridge is located in the Xixi Group of Xiafang Village, Fangqiao Town, Yixing City (next to the New Xiafang Bridge). In May 2009, it was designated as a municipal-level cultural heritage site by the Yixing Municipal People's Government.

Constructed during the Qing Dynasty, Xiafang Bridge is a four-span stone beam bridge oriented from north to south (20° northeast of due north), made of granite. The total length of the bridge is 20 meters, with the deck measuring 6.10 meters long and 1.75 meters wide at the center. The abutments are 2.60 meters wide, with a slope of 10°. The first span from the north is 4.70 meters long, the second 5.25 meters, the third 3.28 meters, and the fourth 3.52 meters. The pier stones, arranged from north to south, are respectively: 2.75 meters, 2.85 meters, and 2.75 meters long; 0.58 meters, 0.58 meters, and 0.52 meters wide; and 0.28 meters, 0.28 meters, and 0.26 meters thick. The height from the bottom of the bridge to the water surface is 2.90 meters. The bridge’s pile columns are 2.60 meters tall, though one on the eastern side of the northern end is damaged and has been replaced with brick. The bridge inscription reads: Xiafang Bridge.

Fangqiao Subdistrict: Fangqiao Subdistrict was liberated on March 28th of the lunar calendar in 1949. It was officially established as the People's Government of Fangqiao Township by order of the Yixing County Military Control Commission. In October of the same year, the baojia system was abolished and the village-group system was implemented, along with the establishment of Party branches at the township level. From June 1949 to 1955, the area underwent the division into smaller townships, land reform, mutual aid groups, and the primary cooperative movement. In February 1956, the first township merger took place, and it was renamed the People's Committee of Fangqiao Township. In September 1958, the people's commune system was implemented, abolishing the systems of townships and villages and establishing communes and production brigades instead. This township then became part of Hubin Commune, with the former Fangqiao Brigade… More details about Fangqiao Subdistrict ++