Bian Bridge

Bian Bridge

Bian Bridge is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Located 24 kilometers southeast of Sishui County and at the northwest end of Quanlin, there stands a stone arch bridge spanning the Si River. The entire bridge is magnificent and splendid, and from a distance, it looks like a rainbow lying across the Si River.

In ancient times, this area was known as the State of Bian, hence the bridge naturally came to be called Bian Bridge. On every Mid-Autumn night, the water reflects a double moon, hence the name “Bian Bridge Double Moon,” also called the Double Moon Bridge. On Mid-Autumn night, the moon casts a double reflection,

creating a uniquely beautiful scene, which was once one of the “Ten Scenic Spots of Sishui.”

Bian Bridge predates Beijing’s Lugou Bridge in age, and even from the time of its last major renovation, it has a history of over 8

00 years. Along with Zhaozhou Bridge, Lugou Bridge, and Suzhou’s Baodai Bridge, it is among the very few

earliest surviving stone arch bridges in China.

● Bian Bridge integrates mathematics, mechanics, and aesthetics, possessing high historical, artistic, and scientific value. It holds an important place in the history of ancient Chinese bridge architecture. ● Unlike many ancient cultural relics, Bian Bridge belongs to the common people, enduring a thousand years of weathering without showing signs of decay.

Bian Bridge is the oldest surviving ancient bridge in Shandong. The bridge is situated on an ancient key route in central and southern Shandong, connecting Yanzhou and Qufu to Linyi, and played an important role in ancient transportation.

On December 23, 1977, it was announced as one of the first batch of Shandong Provincial Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

According to *Historical Tales of Ancient Economy? Historical Tales of Ancient Bridges*, Bian Bridge “may be a rare example of late Tang Dynasty architecture in the country.” It was renovated in the 21st year of the Dading era of the Jin Dynasty (1181 AD), and some balustrades and column stones were repaired in the 9th year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1581 AD). The bridge runs east-west, consisting of three connected arches. The bridge is 25 meters long, 7 meters wide, and 6.5 meters high, with approach ramps 35 meters long at each end. The three arched stone

spans include a large central arch about 5 meters high, and two smaller side arches about 4 meters high. The span of each arch is 4.5 meters, the arch spring thickness is 0.5 meters, and the crown thickness is 0.4 meters. There are 14 column stones and 13 balustrade slabs on each side of the bridge deck. The tops of the column stones

are carved with square lotus patterns, the balustrade slabs are decorated with cloud-and-water motifs around the edges, and the central sections feature several bas-relief carvings such as “Jiang Ziya Fishing,” “Bian Zhuang Stabbing the Tiger,” “Zhou Chu Eliminating the Three Evils,” and “Asking the Boy Under the Pine,” all of which are vividly realistic,

appropriately sized, and considered masterpieces of stone carving. At each end of the bridge are a pair of facing stone lions crouching atop Sumeru lotus pedestals; their bare lion heads reveal the bridge’s age. On the tops of both sides of the arch openings are

openwork dragon heads extending north and south. The dragons are lifelike, gazing at the river. According to locals, these dragon heads have the function of “subduing the water.” The arch springings are supported by lotus-shaped pedestal stones, and the lower parts of the bridge piers are shuttle-shaped to meet the current.

Experts from the Jining Cultural Relics Bureau explained that Bian Bridge is one of the oldest surviving stone arch bridges in China, with high historical, artistic, and scientific value.

The lotus pedestal stones at the arch springings of Bian Bridge have plump, rounded petals, exhibiting distinct late Tang Dynasty style. The section below the pedestal stones is believed to be late Tang construction. Its renovation dates back to the 21st year of the Dading era of the Jin Dynasty,

making it earlier in time than Beijing’s Lugou Bridge, with a history of over 800 years. Along with Zhaozhou Bridge, Lugou Bridge, and Suzhou’s Baodai Bridge, it is among the very few earliest surviving stone arch bridges in China. Therefore, it holds an important position in the history of ancient Chinese bridge architecture. At the same time, Bian Bridge is also a rare ancient gallery of stone carving art.

Bian Bridge is exquisitely shaped and finely built, and is itself a rare

ancient artistic treasure. Its stone carving artistry—including the balustrade slabs, column stones, stone lions, beast heads, Sumeru pedestals, and lotus pedestal stones—employs various techniques such as line carving, relief carving, openwork carving, and full-body carving, bringing together the essence of ancient

carving arts. Especially the patterns on the balustrade slabs along both sides of the bridge deck, which are rich in content and exquisitely carved, possess high artistic and aesthetic value, forming a gallery of stone carving art. They fully demonstrate

the wisdom and artistic talent of ancient laborers. In addition, Bian Bridge is also an outstanding masterpiece in the history of ancient bridge architecture. Bian Bridge is not only exquisitely shaped and finely built, but also cleverly laid out and structurally rational. Through meticulous design, the whole bridge forms a unified whole and is exceptionally sturdy. Despite more than 800 years of wind and rain, apart from the bridge deck, column stones, and balustrade slabs, the main structure remains largely intact and still accommodates

heavy vehicles. It is a prime example of the perfect combination of practical and artistic value in bridge construction. Integrating mathematics, mechanics, and aesthetics, it is a masterpiece in the history of ancient bridge architecture, especially in the evolution of arch bridges. As such, it not only holds practical value but also significant scientific research worth.

It demonstrates the intelligence, wisdom, and artistic talent of the ancient working people. In addition, Bian Bridge is also an outstanding masterpiece in the history of ancient bridge architecture.

Not only is Bian Bridge aesthetically pleasing and exquisitely constructed, but it is also ingeniously laid out with a rational structure. Through careful design, the entire bridge forms a cohesive whole and is exceptionally sturdy. Despite having withstood over 800 years of wind and rain, apart from the bridge deck, balusters, and railings, the main structure remains largely intact and continues to support vehicular traffic.

It is a prime example of the perfect integration of practical and artistic value in bridge construction. Combining mathematics, mechanics, and aesthetics, it stands as a masterpiece in the history of ancient bridge architecture, especially arched bridges.

Therefore, it not only holds practical value but also significant scientific research importance.

Bian Bridge is imbued with a sense of ancient charm and weathered history, having endured a thousand years of vicissitudes without showing signs of decay. Beneath the bridge, clear waters flow ceaselessly, with willows gently swaying on both banks. The tranquil stream flows quietly from south to north under the bridge—so still it seems almost invisible, perceptible only by the sound of its gentle gurgling and the graceful green waterweeds drifting along, clearly indicating the direction of the current. Along the riverbanks stretches an endless expanse of lush green.

A gust of wind may pass by, heard but not seen, with only the “whooshing” sound and the gracefully swaying green water plants floating downstream clearly revealing the flow of the water.

Along the river lies an endless stretch of soft, velvety green.

Unlike many ancient cultural relics, Bian Bridge belongs to the common people and still serves its practical purpose to this day: farmers returning home with their hoes walk across it, and speeding bicycles glide over it. This is Bian Bridge.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Major National Historical and Cultural Sites