Zhangqiu Canal Ancient Ferry

Zhangqiu Canal Ancient Ferry

The Zhangqiu Canal Ancient Ferry is a cultural relic protection unit of Liaocheng City.

As an important canal port, Zhangqiu’s ancient ferry was known as the “Key Crossing of the Canal Transport,” and was listed as one of Zhangqiu’s scenic highlights. Historical records describe it as “a place where officials and dignitaries gathered in great numbers, and sails crowded like fish scales—truly the strategic throat connecting the Central Plains.” One can imagine the prosperity of those times. The existing ancient ferry remains at its original location, meticulously designed and built using original ferry stones and stone components salvaged from demolished surrounding structures. The bridge is covered with stone carvings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, numbering over a thousand pieces. The bridge consists of three arch culverts, railings, and four stone lions. It is 25.3 meters long, 6.6 meters wide, and 6.4 meters deep, with wing walls extending 10.4 meters, railing sections measuring 15 meters in length and 1.4 meters in height. Four finely carved stone lions sit at the ends of the bridge, exuding approachable expressions. A stone plaque inscribed with “Zhangqiu Canal Bridge” is mounted above the central culvert. It is now a municipal-level key cultural relic protection unit.

Zhangqiu Town: Zhangqiu Town is located in the eastern part of the county. The name “Zhangqiu” first appeared during the Tang and Five Dynasties periods, and the town was officially established in the Northern Song Dynasty. In 1940, the Zhangqiu County Anti-Japanese Democratic Government was formed. In 1964, the county was abolished and the town was established, having previously been designated as Zhangqiu District and Zhangqiu People's Commune. Since 1984, it has remained Zhangqiu Town.　

Zhangqiu Town is located twenty kilometers east of Yanggu County. It borders Taiqian County of Henan Province to the south and is adjacent to Acheng Town to the north. The town covers a total area of 53 square kilometers, with a population of 50,000, including 1,780 people of the Hui ethnic group. The world-famous “Wu Song Fights the Tiger at Jingyanggang” scenic spot is situated within its jurisdiction, and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal runs through the town... More details about Zhangqiu Town++