Yejia Bridge

Yejia Bridge

Yejia Bridge is a cultural relic protection unit of Anhui Province.

A Ming Dynasty bridge located in Dangtu County, Ma'anshan City, spanning the Danyang River and connecting the towns of Xinshi and Danyang. Before the construction of the Danbo Highway, it was an important bridge on the official road from Dangtu to Lishui. The bridge is a five-arch granite structure, 44 meters long and 8.5 meters high, with the central part of the bridge deck shaped like a bridal sedan chair. Built during the Hongzhi era of the Ming Dynasty (1488–1505), it underwent three major restorations during the Qing Dynasty and the Republican era. With its exquisite craftsmanship and majestic presence, it is known as the “No. 1 Bridge of Dangtu.”

Spanning the Danyang River and connecting the towns of Xinshi and Danyang, the bridge was built during the Hongzhi era of the Ming Dynasty (1488–1505) and is said to have been funded by a wealthy local family surnamed Ye. Before the completion of the Dangtu–Bowang Highway, it served as an important bridge on the official road from Dangtu to Lishui. Known for its refined craftsmanship and imposing appearance, it has long been called the “No. 1 Bridge of Dangtu.” It is now a key cultural relic protection unit of Anhui Province.

Yejia Bridge is an arched bridge oriented east-west, constructed with horizontally laid granite slabs. Its main structure is well preserved, featuring five spans and an overall length of 44 meters and width of 8 meters. The bridge railings are low and flat, with carved balusters depicting elephants, lions, gourds, and brocade boxes. At both ends of the bridge, the drum stones are carved with scenes such as a fish leaping through the dragon gate, a phoenix perched on a paulownia tree, a lion playing with a ball, and symbols of happiness, prosperity, and longevity. Each side of the bridge deck features a protruding horizontal stone slab. The upstream side of the bridge piers facing the Danyang River all have pointed cutwaters, each topped with a carved dragon head; the downstream sides are square, each adorned with a carved dragon tail. The approach sections of the bridge have been largely encroached upon by local residences. The bridge underwent three major renovations during the Qing Dynasty and the Republican era, making it a valuable physical artifact for studying Ming Dynasty bridge construction techniques and folk culture in the Ma'anshan area.

Protection zone: 30 meters outside the structure itself.

Construction control zone: 20 meters around the perimeter of the protection zone.