Xijin Bridge

Xijin Bridge

Xijin Bridge is a cultural relic protection unit of Zhejiang Province.

Xijin Bridge is located to the west of Yongkang City, spanning the Yongkang River. Over 600 years ago, this was a ferry crossing. The famous “Evening Ferry at Xijin

” took place here. When the sun sets, the river sparkles with shimmering light. Standing at the bow of a boat, you can see swallows flying low in the distance while ducks paddle competitively nearby — the scenery is extraordinarily beautiful, making it one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Yongkang. By the 57th year of the Kangxi reign in the Qing Dynasty (1718), a wooden bridge was finally constructed here. Since then, it has been damaged and rebuilt many times. The last reconstruction took place in the 12th year of the Jiaqing reign (1807), and a stone stele titled “Record of Xijin Bridge” was erected at the bridgehead to commemorate the event. This reconstruction not only restored the bridge to its former appearance but also made it more solid and majestic than before.

Xijin Bridge features ingenious design and a unique structure. The entire bridge has 13 piers and 14 spans, stretching 70 zhang in length, 1.5 zhang in width, and 1.4 zhang in height. The piers support a wooden superstructure, with 55 covered walkway rooms built atop. At the center of the bridge, three rooms form a two-story pavilion, combining practicality with elegant design. The row of stone piers is curved gently downstream, so when viewed from north to south, it gives the impression that “the full structure of the bridge cannot be seen at a glance,” adding to its imposing presence. The eaves and beams on the bridge roof are painted earth-red, giving it an antique charm. Beams and columns are densely arranged, with lower crossbeams and benches on the western side providing resting spots for visitors. The inner sides of the bridge allow people to stroll freely, with windows along the sides offering views of the surroundings. According to experts on ancient bridges, only five such historic bridges remain in China, and Yongkang’s is the oldest and longest.

Xijin Bridge and Shuxi Bridge in Wuyi are both covered bridges, often referred to as “sister bridges.” In 1997, it was designated as a provincial-level key cultural relic protection unit.

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units in Zhejiang Province