Dengying Bridge in Cang County

Dengying Bridge in Cang County

Dengying Bridge in Cang County is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Dulin Dengying Bridge

Dulin Dengying Bridge

Located in Dulin Town, 15 kilometers west of Cangzhou, at the intersection of the old Canghe Road and the former course of the Hutuo River.

The bridge structure consists of three large arches and two small arches, with the two smaller arches suspended on the spandrels where the three larger arches meet. Two streamlined bridge piers support the structure. The bridge is 66 meters long, with a deck width of 7.8 meters, and each arch span measures 11.3 meters.

In Dulin Town, 15 kilometers west of Cangzhou, at the intersection of the old Canghe Road and the former course of the Hutuo River, there stands an ancient stone bridge originally named Dengying Bridge. It is a Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit of Hebei Province. The bridge is composed of three large arches and two small arches, with the two smaller arches suspended on the spandrels where the three larger arches meet. Two streamlined bridge piers support the structure. The bridge is 66 meters long, with a deck width of 7.8 meters, and each arch span measures 11.3 meters. On the tops of the central arch, one dragon head sculpture extends from each side, protruding from the bridge body, baring teeth and glaring fiercely as if ready to leap out. Above the left and right large arches sit stone-carved lion heads with wide, terrifying eyes, exuding a fierce expression. At the tops of the two smaller arches are carved water deities with bobbing heads and swaying tails. The stone railings and pillars of the bridge deck feature an array of intricate relief carvings and various poses of animals such as stone monkeys and lions, all exquisitely crafted and lifelike.

According to the “Record of the Construction of Dengying Bridge” by Ruan Shangbin, the Salt Transport Commissioner of Changlu, and “Record of the Reconstruction of Dengying Bridge” by Wang Yintong, Dulin was originally called Dengying Town, situated on both sides of the Hutuo River. Traveling north along the river led to Beijing and Tianjin, making it a bustling hub for merchants and travelers. Although ferries had long existed, they were highly inconvenient for the transport of goods and passengers. During the Ming Dynasty's Wanli era, a philanthropist named Liu Shangyou witnessed the hardships of river crossings and proposed building a stone bridge to facilitate travel and benefit salt transport. Salt Transport Commissioner Ruan Shangbin and Governor of Yingzhou Liu Yukuan generously donated funds. With contributions from local gentry, merchants, and charitable individuals, the bridge was constructed in the 22nd year of the Wanli era (1594) at a cost of 20,000 taels of silver, turning the once-difficult Dengying route into a smooth passage. During the Qing Dynasty’s Guangxu era, severe flooding of the Hutuo River damaged the large and small arches at both ends of the bridge, rendering it impassable. Though many well-intentioned people attempted to repair it, the enormous cost and the challenging nature of the project deterred them. Fourteen years later, a local man named Wang Yintong resolved to rebuild Dengying Bridge. After tireless fundraising efforts, he completed the restoration in six years. However, this left him heavily in debt, and he spent his remaining years begging for alms alongside monks and Taoists to repay the bridge debts.

In May 2013, Dengying Bridge in Cang County was designated as part of the seventh batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Address: Dulin Town, 15 kilometers west of Cangzhou, at the intersection of the old Canghe Road and the former course of the Hutuo River

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Key Cultural Relics Protection Units in Hebei Province

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units