Yuyao Tongji Bridge

Yuyao Tongji Bridge

Yuyao Tongji Bridge is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Spanning the Yao River in the heart of Yuyao City, Tongji Bridge is known as the “Number One Bridge in Eastern Zhejiang” due to being the longest and tallest bridge over the Yao River.

Originally built during the Qingli era of the Northern Song Dynasty, the bridge was first constructed from wood and named Dehui Bridge, later renamed Hongqiao, but was repeatedly built and destroyed. In the third year of the Zhi Shun era of the Yuan Dynasty, it was reconstructed as a three-arch stone bridge and officially named Tongji Bridge. The existing structure was rebuilt between the seventh and ninth years of the Yongzheng era of the Qing Dynasty.

The bridge is 90 meters long and imposing in stature. A stone stele erected beside the bridge bears the inscription “Sea vessels pass beneath without needing to lower their sails,” which speaks volumes about its grandeur.

During the Northern Song Dynasty, Wang Anshi, then serving as magistrate of Yin County, visited the site and couldn’t help but exclaim: “The mountains roll like green waves drifting away with the river, the waters gleam like the clear sky reflecting the moon. Let us call the immortals to dwell here, and not let them toil their way up to the heavenly gates.”

On October 7, 2019, Yuyao Tongji Bridge was included in the eighth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Transportation:

Accessible via public buses in downtown Yuyao.

Location

Fucheng Road, Yuyao City, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Eighth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units