Shouchang Bridge

Shouchang Bridge

Shouchang Bridge is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Situated on the Shangzhu River in Erdu Village, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, and stretching from north to south, Shouchang Bridge is a single-arch stone bridge with a circular edge. It spans over 40 meters in length, stands 8.10 meters tall, has a clear span of 17.4 meters, and a rise of 7.16 meters. According to historical documents, the bridge was constructed during the Xianchun period of the Southern Song Dynasty and has a history of more than 700 years. With its scientifically sound structure, graceful form, simple yet classic ornamentation, and well-preserved condition, it is the largest and most intact single-arch stone bridge from the Song Dynasty discovered so far in northern Zhejiang’s Hangjiahu area and even the entire Yangtze River Delta region. The bridge stones were sourced locally from the renowned “Wukang Stone.” Its purplish-brown body, intertwined with green vines, resembles a rainbow drinking from the stream, giving it extremely high cultural relic and ancient architectural value. Shouchang Bridge has retained much of its original historical appearance.

Shouchang Bridge is one of the stone arch bridges that strongly reflects the characteristics of its time. Its scientific design, aesthetic shape, and exquisite construction—especially its relatively large single-span and the use of tapering techniques—are truly rare among similar bridges. It is a Provincial-Level Cultural Relics Protection Unit and has been nominated as a National-Level Cultural Relics Protection Unit. The construction of Shouchang Bridge began about 130 years later than that of Yong’an Bridge. All materials used in Shouchang Bridge came from Wukang Stone mined near the nearby Fangfeng Mountain. The bridge is 40 meters long, with a single clear span of 17.40 meters. The bridge’s exceptional feature lies in its masterful application of tapering techniques, such as those seen in the bridge piers, arch rings, and inclined footings. Therefore, compared to Yong’an Bridge and Qinghe Bridge, Shouchang Bridge exhibits significant uniqueness in design. Although all three bridges are of the arch type, it is not difficult to notice certain differences in form and construction craftsmanship. The carving work on Shouchang Bridge fully demonstrates the designer’s outstanding ingenuity—for example, the combination of cloud patterns and grouped drum stud motifs. The characters “Shouchang,” which name the bridge, are inscribed beside it. On the right side inside the arch, there is also an exquisitely carved lotus design, both of which are notable features commonly found in bridges from the Song and Yuan periods. The form of Shouchang Bridge is like a uniquely beautiful masterpiece of craftsmanship, forming a striking contrast with the modern highway bridge nearby and becoming a beautiful local landmark. It is the largest and most intact single-arch stone bridge from the Song Dynasty discovered to date in northern Zhejiang’s Hangjiahu area and the broader Yangtze River Delta region, and holds extremely high cultural relic and ancient architectural value.

Built during the Xianchun era of the Southern Song Dynasty, Shouchang Bridge has a history of over 700 years. With its scientifically sound structure, elegant shape, simple decoration, and well-preserved condition, it is the largest and most intact single-arch stone bridge from the Song Dynasty discovered so far in northern Zhejiang’s Hangjiahu area and the entire Yangtze River Delta region. It is understood that Guangji Bridge in Tangqi Town, Yuhang District, Hangzhou, known as the “First Bridge of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal,” surpasses Shouchang Bridge in terms of scale, design, and fame. Last year, both bridges were nominated together for National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit status, but Guangji Bridge was not selected. This further demonstrates the true preciousness of Shouchang Bridge.

Cultural relics experts conducted an investigation of Shouchang Bridge’s foundation by erecting cofferdams at both ends of the river channel, draining the water, and closely observing and studying the bridge’s base. Beneath the foundation of Shouchang Bridge lie many thick wooden piles, some with diameters exceeding 30 centimeters, which have not decayed to this day. The bridge foundation built on these wooden piles has barely deformed. This is the main reason why Shouchang Bridge has withstood over 700 years of weathering without collapsing. Overall, the bridge is well preserved, though many components are missing and some surfaces show severe weathering. Tests conducted by the Provincial Geological Research Institute revealed that elements such as silicon and iron have been lost from the stone components of Shouchang Bridge, leading to reduced mechanical strength. This has somewhat affected the bridge’s compressive and seismic resistance.

The main structure of Shouchang Bridge remains intact, and the arch structure is relatively stable. However, after more than 700 years of exposure to sun, rain, natural forces, and human damage, the bridge is in a precarious state. In August 2005, the Zhejiang Provincial Ancient Architecture Design and Research Institute conducted a comprehensive survey of Shouchang Bridge and found that parts of the bridge abutment pile foundation had been partially scoured away, with some wooden piles exposed; the masonry of the bridge body had shifted, bulged, and fractured; many railings and balusters were damaged or missing; the bridge steps were uneven; and the stonework of the bridge body had severely weathered, with trees and weeds growing in the crevices.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units