Ninghai Wannian Bridge

Ninghai Wannian Bridge

Ninghai Wannian Bridge is a Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Wannian Bridge spans the Dasong Stream. According to the county’s *Transportation Annals*, it is the largest single-arch stone bridge in the county and the second largest of its kind in the province. The arch is neatly constructed on a foundation of natural rock layers, resembling a crescent moon. The bridge is 34 meters long, 4.8 meters wide, with the base of the arch 9 meters above the water surface, a clear span of 18 meters, an arch thickness of 1.2 meters, and an arch foot thickness of 7.4 meters. On both sides of the bridge deck, dozens of irregular large stones are arranged longitudinally, serving both as railings and as resting spots for chatting.

The bridge is located southeast of Feikeng Village, Shuangfeng Township, Ninghai, serving as the main thoroughfare out of the village. The stream beneath the bridge originates from the southern foothills of Wanghai Ridge in Mayao Township—the Dasong Stream. It flows northwest through the northern part of the township, exits Feikeng, turns southward, and runs along the eastern border before joining the Baixi Stream at the foot of Chaijialing, where Shuangfeng, Baixi, and Wang’ai townships meet. To the northwest of the bridge stands Juxing Temple, beside which is a pavilion. Next to the pavilion are an ancient apricot tree and an ancient camphor tree, each as thick as a person's embrace. Behind Juxing Temple on the mountain grows a large torreya tree with a spreading canopy, across the stream from the township government office. The southern end of the bridge was once a cliff, with a stone path winding eastward. In 1972, it was turned into a road that passes by the southern end of the bridge, leading north to Chengshen.

The bridge sits at an elevation of 380 meters above sea level, surrounded by dense vegetation with vast stretches of lush pines and bamboos. The township is home to about 2,000 local specialty Torreya grandis trees. Around 30 such trees are scattered near the village. The beautiful natural landscape sets off the spectacular sight of this soaring bridge.

The arch of Wannian Bridge is neatly constructed on a foundation of natural rock layers, resembling a crescent moon. The bridge is 34 meters long, with a clear width of 4.8 meters, a height of 10 meters, and a clear span of 18 meters. On both sides of the bridge deck, dozens of irregular large stones are arranged longitudinally, serving both as railings and as resting spots for chatting. According to the county’s *Transportation Annals*, Wannian Bridge is the largest single-arch stone bridge in the county and the second largest of its kind in the province. Among the ancient arch bridges in the province, it ranks fourth, following the Pengxi Bridge in Taishun, the Ji’an Bridge in Xinchang, and the Yongfu Bridge in Tiantai. Within Ningbo, and even eastern Zhejiang, it holds the top position and has been listed among Ningbo’s Top Ten Famous Bridges.

On March 14, 2000, it was announced as a Fourth Batch County-Level Cultural Relics Protection Unit. On January 13, 2017, it was announced as a Seventh Batch Provincial-Level Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units