Hangzhou Dengyun Bridge

Hangzhou Dengyun Bridge

Dengyun Bridge

Dengyun Bridge is located at the eastern end of Ershengmiaoqian, spanning the Zhonghe River, with its eastern exit on Changning Street. The site is in front of Ershengmiao. It was first built in the Song Dynasty and rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty.

The Zhejiang General Annals and the Jiajing-era Renhe County Annals state: Dengyun Bridge was newly built; it was formerly called West Bridge, and during the Song Dynasty, there was a Pingdi Granary. The Renhe County Annals note: The provincial examination hall was located here. Whenever the imperial examination results were announced, successful candidates would leave the hall to attend a banquet at the Provincial Administration Commission. As they proceeded under music escort, they had to cross this bridge — hence its name, which signifies “ascending to the clouds.”

This bridge is a single-arch stone structure with multiple steps, constructed using the method of vertically aligned, segmented, and parallel stonework. It was originally built in the Ming Dynasty and renovated during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty. The northern arch is inscribed with the three characters 登云桥 (“Dengyun Bridge”) in stone carvings at the top. Both sides of the bridge railing are made of large bluestone slabs, with the central slab measuring 225 cm in length, 46 cm in height, and 19 cm in thickness. The other bluestone railings vary in length, totaling 19 pieces. On both sides of the arch are two carved stone dragon heads, each measuring 52×37×15 cm. The dragons have gentle expressions and smooth lines, with hair flowing in the wind, leaf-patterned textures on their necks, and garlic-shaped noses. In 1972, the Hongwei Machinery Factory paved a 2-meter-wide concrete road surface over the steps to allow vehicle access. In 1982, the government replaced the original bluestone steps with cement ones. In 1986, the bridge was rebuilt and no longer accommodates vehicles. Dengyun Bridge has been designated as a Hangzhou Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Site.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Wenzhou Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Units