Xinh River Sluice Bridge Group

Xinh River Sluice Bridge Group

The Xinh River Sluice Bridge Group is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Xinh River Sluice Bridge Group is located in Xinh Town, Wenling City, Zhejiang Province.

The Xinh River Sluice Bridges were first built during the Song Dynasty and have been maintained in subsequent dynasties. The group consists of four sluice bridges: Zhong Sluice, Ci Sluice, Bei Sluice, and Xia Lu Sluice. Others, such as Zhong Sluice, Bei Sluice, and Xia Lu Sluice, are all two-arch sluice beam bridges built slightly later, with relatively rougher detailing. It is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Mazi Sluice is located on a river about 500 meters east of the former site of Gaoqiao Township in Xinh Town. Legend has it that it was built by Zhu Wen Gong. According to the tale, when the bridge stones were about to break, an immortal used sticky rice cakes to hold them together, hence the name. The sluice has two arches, runs east-west, measures 11.1 meters in length and 3.7 meters in width, with each arch spanning 4.75 meters. There are two sluice slots in the center. This two-arch beam sluice bridge features refined construction: the central parts of the piers on both sides are fitted with two vertical sluice slots to hold wooden sluice boards. Correspondingly, no beams or planks are laid in the center of the bridge deck, leaving space to open the sluice gates—a rather primitive design. The ends of the piers are all shaped with cutwaters, the upper parts of which are styled similarly to architraves. Above these, the pier portions imply bases, columns, and layered structures, giving it a distinct traditional architectural character. The arches are shaped uniquely, and the stone-carving details on the bridge exhibit the stylistic features of traditional architecture.

The Xia Lu Sluice is located near Gualou Mountain in Chengbei Village, Xinh Town. The sluice has two arches, runs north-south, measures 11.63 meters in length and 3.45 meters in width, with each arch spanning 4.6 meters. There are two sluice slots in the center. The lower parts of the piers are designed as cutwaters, atop which stone platforms are stacked. Layered beams are placed on top of these platforms, with the overhanging beam ends crafted in an arch-like shape.

The Bei Sluice is situated in Bei Sluice Village, Xinh Town. Legend says that among the six sluices built by Zhu Xi, this one is the northernmost, hence the name “Bei Sluice” (Northern Sluice). The sluice has two arches, runs east-west, measures 10 meters in length and 4 meters in width, with each arch spanning 4 meters. There are two sluice slots in the center. The lower parts of the piers are designed as cutwaters, atop which stone platforms are stacked. Layered beams are placed on top of these platforms, with the overhanging beam ends crafted in an arch-like shape.

The Zhong Sluice is located behind Nanjian Primary School in Zhong Sluice Village, Xinh Town. A stone tablet erected by the Wenling cultural relics management department introduces this sluice as one of the six built by Zhu Xi, initially constructed in the Southern Song Dynasty and reconstructed in later dynasties. The sluice has three arches, runs north-south, measures 14.4 meters in length and 3.8 meters in width, with the middle arch spanning 4.9 meters and the north and south arches each spanning 4.8 meters. There are two sluice slots in the center.

The Xinh River Sluice Bridge Group was designed to serve a dual function. Combining sluice and bridge structures, they allow passage above and water flow below. Both the piers and bridge decks are carved with two slots to hold wooden sluice boards. Locally, they are referred to as either sluices or bridges, providing convenient transportation across the river.

The Xinh River Sluice Bridge Group holds a unique position in the history of hydraulic engineering and architecture, containing rich historical information and high cultural relic value. In 2006, the group was included in the sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units by the State Council as ancient architecture from the Song to Qing Dynasties.

Xinh Town: As a Zhejiang Provincial Historical and Cultural Reserve, Xinh Town is located in the northeast of Wenling City. It is a Jiangnan-style water town, governing 89 villages and 6 residential communities, with a population of 120,000 and an administrative area of 71.4 square kilometers. It is one of the five planned zones of the future combined medium-sized city of Wenling.

Xinh Town boasts a rich historical background, cultural depth, and talented individuals. It is an important part of the “Taizhou Golden Triangle” within the Yangtze River Delta’s Yong-Tai-Wen Economic Zone. It lies 10 km west of downtown and 12 km north of the Luqiao Airport. Provincial roads Henglin Line and Jiaoxin Line, first-class Shisong Highway, and the golden waterway of Jinqing River... More details about Xinh Town ++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units