Xiling Ancient Flower Bridge

Xiling Ancient Flower Bridge

Xiling Ancient Flower Bridge

The Xiling Flower Bridge is situated in Chaping Natural Village, Zhongyuan Township, Jing’an County. It is a well-preserved single-arch stone bridge with a combined pavilion structure. Its exact construction date is unknown, but it was rebuilt in the mid-autumn of the 57th year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty. It is now a provincial-level cultural heritage site. The Xiling Flower Bridge runs from east to west. The bridge body is made of granite, and the railings on both sides of the bridge deck are inlaid with exquisite stone carvings of auspicious animals such as qilin (a mythical Chinese unicorn), lions, elephants, swans, and white cranes, all exquisitely crafted and lifelike. The wooden corridor on the bridge deck is finely constructed and features a unique structure, making it a rare and precious example of a Ming-Qing dynasty covered bridge in the Jiangnan region.

The Flower Bridge is a relatively rare single-arch stone bridge in Jiangxi. It earned the name “Flower Bridge” because the pavilion built atop the bridge is adorned with various patterns, and the railings on both sides are decorated with carved stone reliefs. Its original construction date and purpose are unclear, but in the 57th year of the Qianlong reign (1792), the Liu family, who lived in the area, donated funds for its reconstruction. The Flower Bridge is among the first group of key protected cultural relics announced by the People’s Government of Jing’an County. In 1987, it was listed as a cultural heritage site of Jiangxi Province.

The Flower Bridge is a pavilion-style single-arch stone bridge. The arch is built on steep rocks on opposite sides of the stream, using a “transverse bonding” structure. The bridge deck is flat with no steps, measuring 4 meters wide, 20.6 meters long, and 9.96 meters high, covering a total area of 110 square meters. The bridge is constructed with granite, while the pavilion is built with fir wood. There are 12 stone pillars and 12 wooden pillars inside the bridge pavilion, arranged in three high and two low tiers, forming five sections. The central section is the tallest, reaching 5.8 meters from the bridge deck to the top. It has a two-story structure, with the upper floor serving as a viewing platform that houses stone benches. Legend has it that this was where celestial maidens sat to do embroidery. The pavilion has a hip-and-gable roof with double eaves and upturned corners. The railings on both sides are inlaid with 16 stone relief panels, each measuring 0.83×0.42 meters, all carved with auspicious motifs such as qilin, lions, elephants, horses, deer, and lotus flowers, all vividly depicted.

The front of the bridge is inscribed with records of the supervisors, donors, and contributions from each family branch. For example, “Xianxiang served as supervisor, Liu Fuyuan contributed to repairs. The Liu Liangshi branch donated ten thousand coins, the Chuergong branch donated fourteen thousand, the Wensantang branch donated ten-one thousand, the Hongliu branch donated eight thousand, the Zhenqiangong branch donated seven thousand, the Qigong branch donated seven thousand, the Santang branch donated nine thousand, the Hongtai branch donated eight thousand, the Siyigong branch donated five thousand, the Yanyantang branch donated eight thousand, the Shichang branch donated four thousand, the Yantenshang branch donated seven thousand coins.” Additionally, 20 stone pillars are engraved with the names of contributing families. For instance, the stone pillar at the front right is inscribed with “Liu Yisong repaired it”; the rear right stone pillar is inscribed with “Liu Shanshantang repaired it”; the eastern stone pillar is inscribed with “Liu Shengqiu and nephew Sun Shouxian repaired it”; the western front stone pillar is inscribed with “Liu Shifei and brothers repaired it”; the eastern front stone pillar is inscribed with “Liu Lingyitang repaired it”; the smaller side pillars also bear the names of contributors, though apart from the rear eastern pillar inscribed with “Liu A’luo and son Shouda repaired it, Liu A’xu and son Yangxi repaired it,” the other inscriptions have become blurred.

There are also two stone inscriptions. One lists the names of contributors to the reconstruction: “List of 85 donors who contributed to the reconstruction of the cave bridge, August of the 57th year of the Qianlong reign.” The other is inscribed with a poem: “The Liu family gentlemen completed the repair of the cave mouth stone bridge and humbly present these verses: Providing grain to support construction is an ancient tradition, fortunate to follow the example of predecessors at the cave mouth. The rainbow bridge piercing the sky reveals a marvel, the sea-crossing whale spreads blessings. Those who inscribe pillars do not do it for profit, but composing poetry here is your interpretation. Twin pavilions further enhance the mountain stream’s beauty, the enduring stone monument will last ten thousand years. Led by the county in reconstruction, the stonemason □□□ inscribed (the stonemason's name has been erased). Mid-autumn month of the 57th year of the Qianlong reign.”

The Flower Bridge was repaired once in 1980 with funding from the then Chaping Brigade, and later the county cultural bureau museum allocated

The Chaping Flower Bridge is part of China's long-standing ancient architectural and historical heritage. Its existence is incredibly precious, and like all ancient structures, it holds a unique place in the long development history of the Chinese nation due to its distinctive structure and immeasurable historical value.

Further reading:

· Third Batch of Cultural Relics Protection Units in Jiangxi Province