Yangshe Beixin Bridge

Yangshe Beixin Bridge

Also known as Huanlong Bridge, it is located on the Nancaigang River in Xixin Village, Sigang, Yangshe Town, running from east to west. Constructed in the 10th year of the Jiajing reign during the Ming Dynasty (1531). It is built with bluestone, and some damaged sections of the bridge deck were later repaired with granite. The structure is a single-arch, longitudinal and transverse linked stone bridge with six linked blocks. The total length is 19 meters, width 2 meters, and the single arch span is 8.5 meters. The eastern and western sections of the steps have been buried in the earth, and the number of steps is unknown. The bridge plaque’s inscriptions have become blurred due to severe erosion. On the southern side of the bridge plaque, carved dragon and lion heads on both sides are relatively exquisite. On the northern side, the bridge deck has collapsed, and both the dragon and lion heads are missing. The middle of the bridge’s arch originally featured a pattern, but it has been destroyed. On the eastern side under the bridge, the stone wall bears inscriptions along with carved lotus decorations. The inscription reads: “The 2nd month of the 10th year of the Jiajing reign of the Great Ming, the 2nd month of the 24th year of the Republic of China (Year of Yi Hai), Zhao □yong of Zhangqing and his wife Xu built this.” To the northwest of the bridge, there is a nunnery initially built during the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty. Its inner and outer walls contain broken stelae from the Qianlong and Jiaqing periods. Due to the collapse of the northern bridge deck, the bridge no longer serves as a land transportation route. Huanlong Bridge is the oldest existing bridge within Zhangjiagang City. In 2005, it was renovated with funding from the Zhangjiagang Municipal People's Government.