Nanxing Bridge

Nanxing Bridge

Nanxing Bridge is a cultural relic protection unit of Jiaxing City.

Nanxing Bridge is located east of Xinhuang Primary School in Xinhuang Community, Fengqiao Town, Nanhu District, Jiaxing City. Originally named Xin Bridge, it was a brick bridge that existed as early as the late Ming Dynasty. According to Volume 3 “Bridges” of the Jiaxing County Annals from the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty: it already existed in the late Ming period. By the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, the bridge had collapsed. In the fifth year of the Jiaqing era (1800), Zhang Zhen (courtesy name Qiyi) and six other local residents jointly raised funds to rebuild it, converting it into a stone bridge. It spans Dingxi from east to west and is a seven-arch beam-type stone slab bridge. The total length is 34.7 meters, width 2.76 meters, clear span 20.4 meters, and height above the water surface 3.8 meters. The bridge is equipped with full stone railings on both the north and south sides, featuring six pairs of balusters and eight coping stones. The northern and southern ends of the bridge bear the inscription “Nanxing Bridge” (calligraphed by Zhang Tingji), while the southern stone railing is inscribed with “Shou Ji Guang Hua” (Glory of Longevity Shines Bright) and the northern one with “Wen Chang Lang Zhao” (Literary Radiance Illuminates). On the eastern side of the central arch, one of the bridge’s piers (composed of five parallel stone slabs) has an inscribed text on its southernmost slab: “In the fifth year of the Great Qing Jiaqing era, the cyclical year Gengshen, on the first day of the first lunar month. Zhang Qiyi, Cao Hongfang, Dai Yingke, Lu Cangpei, Zhang Jiahong, Lu Zaichuan, and Zhang Derong jointly raised funds to build Nanxing Stone Bridge. Calligraphy by Zhang Tingji.” There are also couplets on the bridge: the southern one reads, “A rainbow spans the Xunxi stream, where the ancient Zhuji land records the glories of past dynasties; a dragon welcomes the Qinling range, marking the renowned region of Wu and Yue,” and the northern one reads, “Mountain hues drift amid clouds over Gandan and Zhapu, with a hundred peaks embracing beauty; shimmering waves surge through Han and Weitang rivers, ensuring peace along two waters.” Nanxing Bridge has a clearly recorded date of construction, a relatively large scale, elegant design, and remains well-preserved. It is an important historical structure locally and holds significant historical, scientific, and artistic value. It was designated as a municipal-level cultural relic protection unit of Jiaxing in 2009.

Source: Jiaxing Cultural Relics Protection Office

Xinhuang Community: Xinhuang Community is situated in the southeast of Fengqiao Town, bordering Pinghu City to the east, adjacent to Haiyan County to the south, connecting to Qicheng Village to the west, and neighboring Chenliang Village to the north. It lies at the junction of three counties. The community was established on July 1, 2002. Following an administrative division adjustment in February 2005, Shuangshiqiao Village was incorporated into the community. It covers a total area of 3.8 square kilometers, including 2,912 mu of arable land. The total population is 4,298, comprising 2,384 residents, 1,788 rural residents, and 126 fishermen. The community consists of 14 agricultural production teams and 8 residential groups, with 105 Party members currently. The town center market is active and draws a gathering of people… More detailed information on Xinhuang Community++