Shangshuiguan · Xiashuiguan · Guanghui Bridge

Shangshuiguan · Xiashuiguan · Guanghui Bridge

Shangshuiguan · Xiashuiguan · Guanghui Bridge is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Anhui Province.

Shangshuiguan Xiashuiguan Guanghui Bridge Chuzhou City, Anhui Province

The West Bridge of Chuzhou, originally named Guanghui Bridge, was built during the Yonghui era of the Tang Dynasty and is nearly 1,500 years old. It is a three-arch stone bridge made entirely of bluestone slabs and blocks. Aged and weathered, it sits at the southwest corner of the old city, wearing a pair of trifocal reading glasses, watching the Qingliu River flow southward year after year without hesitation. It is one of the few remaining historical witnesses in our small city, and if ranked by age, it is the oldest.

Shangshuiguan Bridge, as recorded in the Chuzhou Annals, was first built in the 10th year of the Jiading reign during the Song Dynasty (1217 AD) and was renovated in the 16th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (1382 AD). It is located between Yongfeng Gate and Guande Gate. The bridge is 35 meters long, 13.5 meters wide, and 9.5 meters high, with a stone foundation and a three-arch brick structure, each arch spanning 5 meters. It remains largely intact today. However, the southern end of the bridge is blocked by the wall of Chuzhou No. 1 Middle School, and the bridge deck has been occupied by residents for building houses or growing vegetables, rendering it impassable.

Guanghui Bridge, referred to as the West Bridge by locals in Chuzhou, was historically known as Hongji Bridge or Chilan Bridge. It is located at the junction of Gulou Street and Sipailou Street, over the Xijian River. Legend has it that the bridge was first built during the Eastern Jin Dynasty but collapsed due to age. In the 16th year of the Zhengde reign of the Ming Dynasty (1521 AD), during a peasant uprising in Jiangxi, government troops passed through Chuzhou via Guanghui Bridge. Seeing the urgent situation, the local magistrate hastily erected a wooden bridge. By the 29th year of the Jiajing reign (1550 AD), after 30 years, the wooden bridge had rotted and collapsed. In that same year, Magistrate Xiong Qi from Nanchang (Yuzhang), along with others, funded the construction of a new bridge. Later, Zhang Zitao, the newly appointed magistrate from Yin County (Ningbo), also contributed funds. By autumn 1551, the stone bridge was successfully completed. This bridge is a three-arch stone structure with the central arch spanning 8 meters and the side arches each spanning 6.3 meters. At the top of each arch on both sides, there are exquisitely carved stone beasts with unique designs and vivid expressions. The bridge generally reflects the architectural style of the Ming Dynasty.

(1) Shangshuiguan.

Protected area: 10 meters at both the southern and northern ends of the pass.

Construction control zone: 20 meters beyond the protected area on both the southern and northern sides.

(2) Xiashuiguan.

Protected area: 10 meters at both the southern and northern ends of the pass.

Construction control zone: 20 meters beyond the protected area on both the southern and northern sides.

(3) Guanghui Bridge.

Protected area: 10 meters at both the eastern and western ends of the bridge.

Construction control zone: 20 meters beyond the protected area on both the eastern and western sides.