Jiannanpu Bridge in Jiande

Jiande Nanpu Bridge

Jiande Nanpu Bridge is a Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The ancient Nanpu Bridge in Jiande, Zhejiang, is located in Nanpu Village, Shouchang Town. Built in the fourth year of the Jingtai era during the Ming Dynasty (1453), it has a history of over 550 years. The bridge stretches from the southwest to the northeast, spanning the Qingtan Stream, and was originally an ancient bridge on the main road from Shouchang to Longyou. On both banks of the bridge stand four ancient camphor trees, each several hundred years old, which together with the bridge form a harmonious and picturesque scene, exuding the charm of the Jiangnan water towns. It is now a Zhejiang Provincial-level Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

There are two administrative villages along the section of National Highway 330 from Shouchang to Duciyan in Jiande: Nanpu Village and Wushi Village. Each has its own unique features. Wushi Village is small in size but boasts three ancestral halls, all of high architectural quality. In contrast, Nanpu Village is home to many ancient bridges, one of which is particularly beautiful and located right beside National Highway 330. Next to this ancient bridge are several ancient trees, creating a truly beautiful environment. Across the bridge lie fields, and it’s common to see farmers—some leading oxen, others carrying hoes or baskets—walking across, presenting a quintessential rural idyll.

This bridge is not only visually appealing but also has a particularly beautiful name: Jiyue Bridge (Moon-Clearing Bridge). Built in the 17th year of the Daoguang era during the Qing Dynasty, it has a history of over 150 years. Originally, it was also called Yuhong Bridge (Jade Rainbow Bridge). Historical records indicate that it was constructed by a local named Zheng Zhixin during the Jiading era of the Song Dynasty, but was later damaged and rebuilt in the 17th year of the Daoguang era. The bridge has five piers, with cutwaters on both sides. The bridge deck is divided into six sections, each made up of three parallel stone slabs, measuring 3.5 meters in length and 0.8 meters in width per section, totaling 18 slabs. Each slab is 0.24 meters wide and 0.3 meters thick. The bridge stands 3.3 meters high. According to the inscribed stele nearby, the bridge is now called Nanpu Bridge, though its original ancient name carries far more poetic charm.

Nanpu Village: Located beside National Highway 330 in the southwestern part of Shouchang Town, Nanpu Village is about 4 kilometers from Shouchang Town, offering very convenient transportation. The current Nanpu Village was formed through the merger of five former natural villages: Tongyuanli, Tongyukou, Nanpu, Yangwu, and Nitan Di. It has 645 households, a population of 2,245, and covers a village area of 18.86 square kilometers, making it the largest in area and second most populous among the villages in Shouchang Town after the regional adjustment. Nanpu Village has initially established a new image as an ecological, beautiful, civilized, orderly, and harmonious rural community.

… Nanpu Village detailed information++

Further reading:

· Sixth Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units