Gaofeng Bridge

Gaofeng Bridge

Gaofeng Bridge is a cultural relic protection unit of Fuzhou City.

Gaofeng Bridge is located on Lüzhuang River outside the west gate of Fuzhou Prefecture City, connecting Chai Alley to the north and Gaofeng Li to the south.

The bridge is a stone flat-beam structure, measuring 13.90 meters in length, 3.64 meters in width, and 7.50 meters in span. The bridge deck is paved with seven straight stone slabs. The bridge railing consists of four pairs of pillars and six stone rail panels, each panel being 1.80 meters long and carved with relief designs of cranes, carp, qilin (a mythical creature), flowers, and plants. There are stone steps at both ends of the bridge — four steps at the southern end and eight at the northern end.

On the south bank of the western side of the bridge stands an ancient banyan tree leaning toward the center of the river. One of its aerial roots has drifted to the north bank and taken root there, creating the spectacle of “straddling the two riverbanks with its body in the middle of the river,” commonly known as the “Human-shaped Banyan.” A pavilion has been built under the tree, enshrining the deity Xuan Di (Zhenwu), with the plaque “Huái Lǐ Gé” (Embrace Pavilion) inscribed by Ousan, and the couplet: “The lofty, sturdy banyan connects West Stream; the ridge-spanning old bridge links Lake Embankment.”

On the north bank of the western side of the bridge stands a small hexagonal pavilion named Gaofeng Pavilion.

The eastern side of the bridge currently features an outdoor activity platform built by nearby residents over the river surface, with an ancient banyan tree on the eastern riverbank. Near the southern bank of the platform, there used to be a small Temple of the God of Plague (now demolished), with the couplet: “Stubborn stones stand by the bridge where men and women pass; the wondrous banyan opens its mouth to swallow and spit out ships of past and present,” vividly depicting the unique scenic effect of Gaofeng Bridge and the Human-shaped Banyan.

Hongshan Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Gulou District, Fuzhou City. In 1959, the Hongshan Commune was established, changed to a township in 1984, and upgraded to a town in 1992. Located in the western suburbs of Fuzhou, on the northern bank of the Min River, it covers an area of 12.4 square kilometers with a population of 38,000. National Highway 316 runs through the area, with crisscrossing roads inside. It administers seven village committees: Liming, Xijiao, Shuangxia, Meifeng, Baofu, Guoguang, and Chenguang, as well as twelve community committees: Hongshan Bridge, Fengchi, Fenghuangchi, Fenghu, Yishan, Xihé, Jijiuling, Wujian, Fuyu, Poxia, Fenghuang North, Wenlin, Xihou, Fuyu East, Changchun, Xiangshan, Liuxing, Ducí, Xingyuan, Xifeng, Dawang, … More detailed information about Hongshan Town++