Ciji Bridge

Ciji Bridge

Ciji Bridge is a cultural heritage site protected by Yueqing City.

Ciji Bridge is located in Dajie Village, Shifan Town, Yueqing City. It is a beam-style stone bridge with four piers and three spans, slightly arched, measuring 11.6 meters in length and 2.80 meters in width. The central span’s bridge deck features the three characters “Ciji Bridge” (慈济桥) inscribed horizontally at the center of the southern side. The left outer pillar of the middle two piers is engraved with “Contributed by Madam Xie” (太夫人解氏舍钱), while the right outer pillar bears the inscription “Built on the auspicious first day of June in the tenth year of Xianchun (1274)” (咸淳十年（1274）六月吉旦谨建) and other words. To the east of the bridge stands a large banyan tree with a trunk circumference of 2.35 meters and lush foliage that covers the bridge deck. Its reflection in the water creates a picturesque scene.

Lady Xie, mother of Liu Fu, was known for her compassion, diligence, serenity, and strong sense of justice. As recorded in The History of Song · Biography of Liu Fu: when Liu Fu was exiled, he came to bid farewell to his mother. Lady Xie said, “As a loyal official, dying for righteousness is your duty; being demoted for speaking the truth is only right—go quickly.” This gives a glimpse of her character. Lady Xie passed away on the seventeenth day of June in the tenth year of Xianchun (1274), and this bridge was her final act of benevolence before her death.

Source: Wenzhou Museum