Pan Gong Bridge and Pan Xiao’s Tomb

Pan Gong Bridge and Pan Xiao’s Tomb

Pan Gong Bridge and Pan Xiao’s Tomb are listed as Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level.

Era: Ming to Qing Dynasty

Address: Wuxing District, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province

Pan Gong Bridge is a three-arch stone bridge located in the middle section of Tiansheng Street, Longquan Subdistrict, Wuxing District, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China. It stands outside the Linhu Gate, the northeast gate of the former Huzhou Prefecture city, spanning the Fangsheng Official River (where the northern Tiaoxi and another stream converge) from north to south. It was donated and built by Pan Jixun, Minister of Works and hydraulic expert of the Ming Dynasty, hence the name “Pan Gong Bridge.”

The bridge was first built in the 13th year of the Wanli era (1585) and completed in the 18th year (1590). In the 19th year of the Daoguang era (1839) during the Qing Dynasty, it was rebuilt — to increase water discharge capacity, the original five-arch stone and timber beam bridge was replaced with a three-arch stone bridge.

The bridge is 57.5 meters long, 6.6 meters wide, and 9.5 meters high. The main arch has a clear span of 15.5 meters with an arch rise of 8 meters, while the north and south arches each have a clear span of 9.3 meters with an arch rise of 5 meters. The arch rings are built using the method of longitudinal jointing with separate segments. There are 50 steps on both the upper and lower approaches. On May 6, 2013, it was designated as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

Pan Xiao’s Tomb is located on the northern slope of Taishiwang Village, Binhu Subdistrict, Wuxing District, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province. Pan Xiao was the grandfather of Pan Jixun, a renowned hydraulic expert of the Ming Dynasty. The tomb is of high specification and is representative of Ming Dynasty tombs in the Huzhou area. Although the tomb has been robbed, its layout remains well-preserved. In May 2013, it was included in the seventh batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level together with Pan Gong Bridge.

Longquan Subdistrict: Longquan Subdistrict is located in Wuxing District, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province. It governs:

330502005001 111 Shimoh River Community

330502005002 111 Shimoh Second Community

330502005003 111 Pan Gong Bridge Community

330502005005 111 Datong Bridge Community

330502005006 111 Shimoh Sixth Community

330502005009 111 Huafeng First Community

3305020050…… Detailed information about Longquan Subdistrict++

Further Reading:

·Seventh Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level