Dongchang Bridge

Dongchang Bridge

Dongchang Bridge, also known as the Twenty-One Arch Bridge or Xiguan Bridge, is located at the western end of the ancient city of Liaocheng, spanning the east and west shores of Dongchang Lake. Construction began in June 2001 and was completed in 2003. In ancient times, people entered the ancient city via a drawbridge. Today, the four Guan Bridges that cross Dongchang Lake serve as the link between the old and new parts of the city. Dongchang Bridge was built on the original site of the former West Drawbridge. It is the most heavily invested and largest bridge in the urban area of our city. The bridge is 322 meters long with a clear width of 15 meters on the deck. The superstructure consists of a stone arch bridge with a total of 21 arches, symbolizing the entry into the 21st century, hence it is also called the Century Arch Bridge. The middle five arches are catenary arches, while the sides are circular arches. The main arch has a clear navigation height of 9 meters, allowing large cruise boats to pass through smoothly. The arch rings and bridge body are inlaid with granite, and the deck is paved with bluestone. The bridge is adorned with 266 high-quality white marble balustrades, which are carved with scenes from the classic Chinese novel "Water Margin." Walking back and forth across Dongchang Bridge is like reading through the entire "Water Margin." It is hailed as "the largest inland lake stone arch bridge north of the Yangtze River in China," a masterpiece of bridge engineering, and adds a stunning attraction to the beautiful Dongchang Lake.

Dongchang Bridge (Xiguan Bridge), Beiguan Bridge, Nanguan Bridge, and Dongguan Bridge reach out in all four directions, encircling and protecting the ancient city. They resemble a jade dragon emerging from the sea or a long rainbow lying across the waves—majestic, grand, and spectacular.