Xing’an Bridge

Xing’an Bridge

Xing’an Bridge is a cultural heritage site protected at the municipal level in Fuzhou.

Xing’an Bridge

Located in Xinghe Lane, Shuanghang Subdistrict, Taijiang District, Fuzhou, it was built in the 51st year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1786 AD), and was renovated multiple times in the 10th year of the Jiaqing reign (1805 AD), the 16th year of the Guangxu reign (1890 AD), the 2nd year of the Xuantong reign (1910 AD), and the 14th year of the Republic of China (1925 AD). The bridge is made of stone, with two piers and three spans of unequal length. The piers are boat-shaped. The bridge is 100 meters long, with a span of 18 meters and a width of 2.1 meters. Two of its spans have become silted up. Stone plaques on both sides of the bridge bear inscriptions such as “Newly Built in the Year of Bingwu, Qianlong Reign,” “Renovated in the Year of Yichou, Jiaqing Reign,” and “Supervised by Zhang of Chuangyu Hall, Renovated by Jiaoyanshe.” The surrounding environment has been considerably damaged. It was designated as a municipal-level cultural heritage site in 1992.

Xing’an Bridge was once one of the three bridges featured in Fuzhou’s famous “Ten Scenic Spots of Nantai,” known as the “Fishing Fires of the Three Bridges.”

Legend has it that Xing’an Bridge was one of the main entry routes into Fuzhou in ancient times. In those days, travelers coming from Longtanjiao on Cangqian Mountain would cross the Min River by ferry and land at the Cangxiazhou ferry terminal. Xing’an Bridge was the only overland passage leading into the city. From there, one could ascend Longling Top and branch off toward the city or head west to Hongtang. At that time, the area around the three bridges was densely populated with fishermen. At night, viewed from the bridge, the fishing boats’ lights twinkled like stars, reflecting on the water and sky. A Ming Dynasty poet once wrote: “Night bridge lamps connect to the starry river, sails of the Water Ministry near half the ox.” This shows how breathtaking the nighttime scenery here used to be.