Dengyun Bridge in Wujiang

Dengyun Bridge in Wujiang

Dengyun Bridge is located on Southwest Street in Luxu Town, Wujiang City, spanning the southern mouth of the city river and crossing over two polders: Xiaojiao and Zhongzi.

It was first built during the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty (1662–1722). In the 46th year of Qianlong’s reign (1781), Lu [name unclear], then serving as the Transport Canal Circuit Intendant, noted that “the river in the town was too straight, lacking any natural bends,” which posed safety risks. As a result, the old, dilapidated bridge was demolished, soil was used to fill and create an embankment, and Yuejia Bang was newly dredged while Tongyuan Bridge was constructed. In the 2nd year of Jiaqing’s reign (1797), residents “due to travel inconvenience, once again proposed reopening the embankment and rebuilding the bridge.” Local benefactors such as Chen Rumao donated silver and raised funds to rebuild Dengyun Bridge. A bluestone stele still stands today beside the long tie stone at the northwest diamond wall. The full inscription is reproduced here: “Wu Xizhen, Chen Kexiu, Chen Jian’an, Chen Zhilei, Chen Fengding, Hu Jiazhao, Chen Mingqian, 2nd year of Jiaqing.” On July 29, 1994, it was listed as a Cultural Relics Control Unit of Wujiang City.

This is a single-arch stone bridge oriented from east to west. It has a total length of 22.7 meters, a central width of 2.65 meters, an eastern end width of 3.45 meters, a western end width of 3.7 meters, a height of 4.05 meters, and a span of 7 meters. It is entirely constructed from Jinshan stone. The bridge top and steps are neat, and its external appearance remains well-preserved. The original stone railings were dismantled. In 1964, brick parapet panels were added and coated with cement. The upper parts of the cement railings are pointed. The arch is built using the method of vertical jointing with segmented parallel courses. At the center of the bridge top is a square centering stone with relief carvings. The middle features a Buddhist “samsara” design, while the four corners depict patterns of “writing brush ingot, ruyi scepter, rhinoceros horn, and double victory.” The “writing brush ingot” and “ruyi scepter” symbolize “surely achieving one's wishes,” while the “rhinoceros horn” and “double victory” signify “continual success.” Each side of the bridge is inscribed with the three characters “Dengyun Bridge.” There are also two pairs of couplets on either side of the bridge body. The south-facing couplet reads: “Its spirit soars past the heavens, making the landscape majestic; its path connects Hangzhou and Fujian, through misty groves deep.” The north-facing couplet reads: “The dragon’s light reflects the hues of a thousand homes; the rainbow’s shadow embraces the spring of ten thousand households.”

Source: Wujiang Archives Bureau