Jujing Bridge

Jujing Bridge

Jujing Bridge is a cultural relic protection unit of Fenghua District.

Jujing Bridge, located in Xiwu Subdistrict, Fenghua City, was designated as a municipal cultural relic protection unit (third batch) by the Fenghua Municipal People's Government in February 1987.

Jujing Bridge is a three-arch stone bridge running from east to west. It was first built in the 19th year of the Jiajing reign during the Ming Dynasty (1540), and has a history of more than 450 years. The bridge was originally called Turtle Path Bridge. In ancient times, turtles symbolized longevity, and later people adapted the name phonetically to its current form. Jujing Bridge was renovated during the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty, and its current structure dates back to that time. The three large characters “居敬桥” (Jujing Bridge) on the north and south sides of the bridge were inscribed by Zhu Zhifan from Jinling (Nanjing). Zhu was a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations during the Wanli reign, once served as Vice Minister of Personnel, and was a renowned calligrapher and painter of his time. The bridge underwent several renovations during the Kangxi and Qianlong reigns of the Qing Dynasty. The last major repair took place in the 23rd year of the Daoguang reign (1843), which was 100 years ago.

Jujing Bridge is a typical stone arch bridge. Its arch stones are arranged longitudinally and placed side by side. The three arches are of varying heights, with the central arch being the highest and the two side arches slightly lower. The bridge piers consist of neatly stacked square-cut stone blocks. The central arch spans 8.30 meters, while the side arches span 5.40 meters. The central arch is 11.60 meters high, and the total length of the bridge is 29.60 meters. The bridge is 5 meters wide at both ends and gradually narrows to 3.60 meters in the middle. There are 16 bridge pillars on each side, and the upper parts of the railing slabs feature hollow-carved lotus designs, while the tops of the balusters are adorned with carvings of animals such as lions and elephants. The upper sections of the central arch piers are decorated with Ao fish heads on the north and south sides as hydrological symbols. Below each Ao fish head is embedded a stone pillar engraved with the various years in which the bridge was built and repaired. At both ends of the bridge, pavilions have been built on the approach ramps for pedestrians to rest and take shelter from wind and rain. These are accessed via 36 stone steps that rise in a winding fashion. Jujing Bridge is the oldest stone arch bridge in our city with an exact recorded date of construction. Some parts of the bridge railings were restored in 2003.