Fenghua Fuxing Bridge

Fenghua Fuxing Bridge

Fenghua Fuxing Bridge is a cultural heritage site under the protection of Fenghua District.

Fuxing Bridge, located in Changzhao Village, Dayan Town, Fenghua City, was designated as part of the third batch of municipal cultural heritage sites by the Fenghua Municipal People's Government in February 1987.

Fuxing Bridge, also known as Wudong Bridge, is a five-arch stone bridge. It has a total length of 96.30 meters (including the approach), with the central span at 14.90 meters and the other four spans each at 12.60 meters. The bridge deck is 6.35 meters wide and about 14 meters high. It spans the upper reaches of the County River. The waters of the County River, originating from Dagong'ao, grow powerful by the time they reach Dayan. Here, to the right stretch verdant mountains and winding roads; to the left are scattered houses and undulating ridges. The arched bridge connects the two riverbanks like a rainbow soaring across the sky—impressive and majestic.

The arches of Fuxing Bridge are built using the method of longitudinal bonding, and the upstream side of each pier is fitted with cutwaters. Above the arches of the central and side spans are embedded stone plaques. The central plaque bears the name of the bridge, while the plaques on the side spans are inscribed with the characters Anlan (calm waves), Yongqing (eternal celebration), Dizhu (pillar of stability), and Changxin (ever new). The broad bridge deck is paved with flagstones, and along the central axis are relief carvings such as pine and crane, lotus, bamboo and chrysanthemum, and pine and deer. Each of the 28 balusters on both sides is carved with motifs such as lions and lotuses. At either end are drum stones, lending the entire bridge deck an elegant and dignified appearance.

The bridge was built in the late Qing Dynasty and was originally part of the main route between Ningbo and Shaoxing, as well as Tiantai. Earlier, stone piers were repeatedly built in the river and covered with planks to form a bridge, but these were often washed away by floods. In 1891, a monk named Jingxiu came from Mount Putuo, claiming that he had been divinely inspired by Guanyin in a dream to build a bridge here. He mobilized local villagers, raised funds through donations, and oversaw construction, which took seven years to complete. Seven stone steles preserved in the stele pavilion on the western side document the bridge’s construction history and the names of contributors. Today, the bridge remains a vital passage for villagers.

(Photography: Ma Yizhi)