Shucheng Longjin Bridge

Shucheng Longjin Bridge

The Longjin Bridge is situated on the Nanxi River, outside the South Gate of Shucheng County’s Chengguan Town. The Nanxi River, also known as Ouxi and historically referred to as Longshu Water, once had a wide riverbed with abundant water flow and thriving shipping. While this facilitated east-west water transport, it also posed an obstacle to north-south land traffic. A ferry crossing was established here during the Southern Song Dynasty. To honor the Northern Song Dynasty’s famous painter Li Gonglin, locals called this ferry “Longmian Ancient Ferry,” and there was also a “Gonglin Lane” on the northern bank. With the fame brought by the celebrity, building a bridge at this ferry site further enhanced its reputation.

According to the Wanli-era County Annals, the stone bridge at the South Gate was first built during the Ming Dynasty. “In the Jiajing era, Magistrate You Shiyou initially constructed a stone bridge, which later collapsed. For several years, there had been intentions to build a bridge but no one took the lead until Magistrate Chen Kuishi of the Wanli era finally undertook the project.” As recorded in the “Arts and Literature Records,” quoting the “Record of the Construction of the New Longjin Bridge in Shucheng County” written by Ye Fengchun, then Prefect of Luzhou: “The bridge spans the river, resembling a dragon in shape,” hence the name Longjin (Dragon Ford).

The Longjin Bridge was built in the seventh year of the Ming Wanli era on the site of the old southern bridge. Originally a thirteen-span flat stone slab bridge, it was destroyed by war in the early Qing Dynasty. During the Taiping Rebellion, Zhu Liu stationed in Shucheng and, in order to eliminate persistent flooding issues, mobilized laborers to manage the waterways, resulting in the diversion of the Qili River (now the Hangbu River), causing the Nanxi River to narrow. In the 27th year of the Guangxu era (1901), under the direction of County Magistrate Xiao Renbing, funds were raised to rebuild the Longjin Bridge following the Ming Dynasty design. The rebuilt bridge was shorter than the original, consisting of a granite flat stone slab structure, 3 meters wide, with six spans and five arches, spanning a total length of 40 meters. The bridge piers were 8 meters high and 5.5 meters wide, arranged in a straight east-west line, with their extended sections shaped like ship prows. Between each pier, seven stone slabs were laid flat, with the joints supported by bracket sets. The overall design of the bridge was rational, the structure rigorous, and the craftsmanship exquisite. The uniquely shaped piers not only diverted floodwaters and waves but were also aesthetically pleasing, truly breathtaking. In the first year of the Xuantong era (1909), a bridge pavilion was built at the southern end of the bridge, inscribed with the three large characters “Longjin Bridge.” Inside the pavilion were four stone tablets, including the “Record of the Reconstruction of the Longjin Bridge” written by local scholar Zhang Danian and the names of donors. Today, only two damaged tablets remain.

In 1982, the People’s Government of Shucheng County, following recommendations from cultural heritage authorities, allocated special funds to renovate the Longjin Bridge and designated it as a county-level key cultural relic protection unit. The Longjin Brewery, built in the mid-1980s, was named after this bridge.

Standing on this ancient bridge, you can watch the purple mist rise in the east at dawn and the flowing clouds over the western hills at dusk. With green trees and bamboo on both banks, the Nanxi River becomes even more beautiful against the backdrop of the quaint and distinctive Longjin Bridge.

Longjin Bridge Community: Established in November 2002, the Longjin Bridge Community is located in the southern suburbs of Shucheng County’s Chengguan Town. It administers 20 residential groups, including Sanli Street, Nancun, Shucheng Grand Market, and Longjin Avenue along the Nanxi River, as well as the Water Conservancy Engineering Team, Hangbu River Embankment Office, Shenjiashanzui Porcelain Factory, Chunqiutang Tea Farm, Baijiagang Tea and Forest Farm, and Gangyao Pottery Factory within the territory of Mahekou. The community has 2,991 households and a population of 9,188.

In recent years, the community’s “two committees” have earnestly studied theory and the important thought of “—,” thoroughly implemented the Scientific Outlook on Development, adhered to a “people-oriented” approach, strengthened service concepts, and focused on... Detailed information about Longjin Bridge Community++