Yongning Bridge in Tonggu

Yongning Bridge in Tonggu

Yongning Bridge is located on Zhongcang Street in Yongning Town, Tonggu County, spanning across Wenquan River. It was built in the Jiayin year of the Yongzheng reign during the Qing Dynasty (1734 AD). According to the *Records of Yongning Bridge*: “The motivation for building the bridge was due to its location at the border between the Wu and Chu regions. Tonggu stands firmly as the gateway, connecting northern Jingzhou and Xiangyang to the north, and linking eastern Wu and Yue regions to the east. The waters of Ding River originate from Dayu Mountain, flow past Guanpi, pass through West Lake, continue eastward to converge at Qingcaoling, exit at Hetang, enter Wentang, and merge into Tonggu Rock. Between these two markets, travelers cover thousands of miles daily, rushing with great force—none of which would be possible without a bridge. The completion of the bridge was an act of public virtue, bringing peace to the people and the nation, ensuring everlasting sturdiness without decay—thus it was named Yongning (Eternal Peace).”

Yongning Bridge was constructed using granite and is divided into four piers and three arches. There are staircases at both ends of the bridge: twelve steps on the north side and seventeen on the south. The piers are fronted with blade-like edges topped with specially shaped horn-like protruding stones that level out onto the flat surface. The bridge deck is paved with bluestone slabs. Stone railings are installed on both sides for people to sit and rest. The bridge is 5.1 meters wide and 54.7 meters long. It was meticulously built by skilled craftsmen of the time and, despite enduring numerous floods, remains majestic and imposing, stretching across the riverbanks and facilitating travel in all directions.

During the revolutionary war period, Yongning Bridge also played a significant role. Notably, in 1927, the Third Regiment of the Autumn Harvest Uprising forces, personally initiated and led by Mao Zedong, marched across this bridge en route to Liuyang and achieved their first victory in the battle to capture Baisha.

An ancient bell was placed on the bridge. It is said that during the Anti-Japanese War, it was used to sound alarms to warn of enemy air raids.

In 1993, when Tonggu experienced a catastrophic flood, parts of the bridge became loose and collapsed. The Autumn Harvest Uprising Tonggu Memorial Hall quickly organized personnel to conduct an on-site survey and immediately reported to the county government. The county leaders attached great importance to the issue and promptly allocated special funds for the emergency restoration of the bridge. In 1983, it was listed as one of the first batch of key cultural relic protection units in Tonggu County.