Ganzhou Jianchun Gate

Ganzhou Jianchun Gate

Ganzhou in Jiangxi Province, known as the "City of the Song Dynasty," is surrounded by water on three sides and is the first city at the source of the Gan River. The Gan River is formed by the Zhang River and the Gong River flowing together downstream. Since the Northern Song Dynasty, three wooden pontoon bridges—Xijin Bridge, Dongjin Bridge, and Shang Bridge—were built over the Zhang and Gong Rivers to facilitate transportation for people on both banks. Today, only the Dongjin Bridge remains. This refers to the ancient pontoon bridge over the Gong River, located outside the Jianchun Gate of the ancient city wall. It has been specially preserved as a historical and cultural landscape of the national historic and cultural city, and still holds practical value today, serving as an important transportation route for residents on both sides of the river.

The bridge is 400 meters long and is formed by connecting nearly 100 wooden boats with ropes, with wooden planks laid across the boats to serve as the bridge deck. Walking on it, you feel it bobbing up and down, creaking and swaying, creating a thrilling yet poetic sensation. This ancient Song Dynasty pontoon bridge, with a history of over 800 years, is also one of the key symbols of Ganzhou’s Song City and a representation of Song Dynasty culture in the area. It is also a famous historical site rich in cultural significance. The pontoon bridge was first built during the Southern Song Dynasty by a notable historical figure named Hong Mai, a native of Poyang, Jiangxi, who once served as the military governor of Ganzhou.

Throughout the seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—this ancient transportation facility forms a unique cultural landscape of Ganzhou, a historic and cultural city. In the past, when road infrastructure was underdeveloped in Ganzhou, water transport along the Gan River was a vital golden route. During busy times, boats continuously traveled from the Gong River down to the Gan River. At 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. daily, the pontoon bridge would be temporarily disconnected to allow boats to pass through. In the past, many riverside cities across China had pontoon bridges, but they are now rare elsewhere. The other end of Ganzhou’s Jianchun Gate Ancient Pontoon Bridge leads to the suburban countryside, where some factories are located. On summer evenings, many urban residents come here to swim in the river via the pontoon bridge. In the evening, many people walk or relax on the bridge, and young couples often come here to enjoy romantic moments, continuing the endless poetic charm of this ancient bridge.

Although Ganzhou’s ancient city wall is from the Song Dynasty, much of it has been restored over time. Observations suggest that the Jianchun Gate was also reconstructed later. The gate is connected to the city wall, and apart from that, there is nothing particularly special. However, near the Jianchun Gate is the ancient pontoon bridge scenic area, and there is also a local elderly woman who makes a very authentic version of Ganzhou’s famous snack, Tangpi.

It took over half an hour to walk from Zar Lane all the way to Jianchun Gate. Outside the gate is the ancient pontoon bridge, and there are many small vendors selling local specialties under the gate tower.