Tongli Changqing Bridge

Tongli Changqing Bridge

Changqing Bridge is located in front of Chongben Hall, spanning the East Liuxu Weir and the West City River at Daoshi Dai. Its original construction date is unknown, but it was rebuilt in August of the 12th year of the Tongzhi reign (1873). On September 6, 1986 [Tongzhen (86) No. 64], it was listed as a cultural relic control unit of Tongli Town. On July 29, 1994 [Wu Zhengban [1994] No. 75], it was listed as a cultural relic control unit of Wujiang City.

Changqing Bridge

Changqing Bridge

Changqing Bridge, formerly known as Fujian Bridge, was rebuilt during the Chenghua period (1465–1487) of the Ming Dynasty by local residents Xie Chen and Chen Yong, and was commonly called Xiejia Bridge. In the 39th year of the Kangxi reign (1700) of the Qing Dynasty, it was reconstructed by locals and also known as Guangli Bridge. In August of the 12th year of the Tongzhi reign (1873), it was publicly funded and rebuilt by locals, and has since been named Changqing Bridge. In the summer and autumn of 1988, the town government carried out reinforcement and renovation work on the bridge under the principle of “repairing the old as it was.”

The bridge features a single-arch structure, running from north to south, and is built with granite. The arch ring uses the method of vertically aligned, segmented, and parallel construction. The keystone is carved with a stone relief depicting “a carp leaping over the Dragon Gate.” The bridge is fully equipped with rail stones and eight balusters. The steps are about 15 centimeters high and feature anti-slip grooves. The bridge is 12.47 meters long, with a deck width of 1.89 meters, an approach width of 2.55 meters, a height of 2.72 meters, and a span of 5 meters, making it a low-rise, small-scale structure. The west-facing pillar stone bears an inscription of the bridge couplet: “Together we contribute funds to build this helpful bridge; may these pillars remain to await future inscriptions.” The east-facing pillar stone is inscribed with: “Erected in the auspicious month of Gui in the 12th year of the Tongzhi reign, rebuilt through public funding by local residents.”