Pingyin Yongji Bridge

Pingyin Yongji Bridge

Pingyin Yongji Bridge is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Pingyin Yongji Bridge

Located over the Langxi River within the old town of Dong'e, Pingyin County, 25 kilometers from the county seat

The bridge runs east-west, measuring 55 meters in length and 6.25 meters in width. The entire structure is grand and magnificent, and from a distance, it resembles a rainbow lying across the Langxi River, making it famous throughout history.

Originally named Langxi Bridge, historical records from the "Taian Prefecture Annals" indicate that Langxi Bridge was built in the 13th year of the Hongzhi reign during the Ming Dynasty (1500 AD). It was initially a three-arch stone bridge but was later damaged by severe flooding. In the 33rd year of the Jiajing reign (1554 AD), it was reconstructed as a "single-arch wooden structure, four zhang high" and renamed "Yongji Bridge." It was renovated again in the 3rd year of the Longqing reign (1569 AD), slightly reducing the height of the arch.

The existing Yongji Bridge is a single-arch blue stone bridge built during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, constructed entirely from local blue stones. It features a large wedge-shaped blue stone arch, with a large carved dragon head at the center of the arch on both the southern and northern sides. The northern dragon head is partially damaged, while the southern one is relatively intact. The dragon heads are vividly sculpted, with bared fangs and fierce eyes staring at the river. According to locals, these two dragon heads have the function of "subduing the water."

The bridge deck is very flat and paved with large blue stone slabs, which have been polished smooth by time. On both sides of the bridge deck, there are 15 symmetrical stone railings on each side, intricately carved with shallow relief designs of various floral and geometric patterns. Each stone railing slab has a pair of drainage holes underneath, allowing accumulated water on the bridge to quickly drain away. During floods when water overflows the bridge deck, these drainage holes help reduce the impact on the stonework, ensuring the bridge’s safety.

Between each pair of stone railings are 16 square stone pillars. At the tops of the central pillars on both sides of the bridge, there are carvings of 7 pairs of stone lions and 1 pair of stone monkeys. The lions display a variety of expressions and postures—some standing, some sitting, including majestic males and gentle females, with lively or solemn faces. Some hold balls in their left paws, others in their right, and some cradle balls with both paws. These diverse stone lions fully demonstrate the carving skills of the time.

Unfortunately, after centuries of weathering and some human damage, many of the stone lions on the bridge are now broken. Mr. Qiao Xiugang, director of the Pingyin County Museum, told us that many of these stone lions were smashed during the Cultural Revolution. The most severely damaged is the first lion on the northwest side of the bridge, with only one-third remaining. On the fifth pillar on the eastern side of the bridge, a unique pair of stone monkeys is carved—the southern monkey is a seated male, and the northern one is a kneeling female. Sadly, the heads and four fingers of the monkeys are missing.

Out of affection for these stone lions and monkeys, locals have even composed a folk rhyme about the carvings on the bridge: “Eighteen lions and one pair of monkeys, twenty-eight mushroom heads, one hundred and eight standalone stones, thirty drainage channels on the north and south.” The bridge’s majestic form, delicate craftsmanship, and lifelike yet proportionate carvings of lions and monkeys make it a masterpiece of Ming Dynasty stone carving.

Yongji Bridge is the largest surviving ancient stone arch bridge in Jinan in terms of span and one of the highest artistic value ancient stone bridges in Shandong Province. The carving artistry reflects the grand, refined, and intricate style of the Ming Dynasty, perfectly combining the bridge’s practical and aesthetic values. It holds a notable place in the history of Chinese architecture. Due to its unique value, in 1995, Yongji Bridge was designated as a municipal cultural relics protection unit by the Jinan Municipal Government, rated as an outstanding architectural project in Shandong Province in 2000, and is currently under review for provincial cultural relics protection status. For over four hundred years, Yongji Bridge has made significant contributions to the transportation and economic development of Pingyin and Dong'e, as well as to the progress of history and the lives of people through the ages.

Dong'e Town: "Dong'e Town is located in the southwestern part of Pingyin County. During the Spring and Autumn Period, it was called Guyi. In the 8th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (1375 AD), when the county seat of Dong'e was moved here, it began to be called Dong'e. By the end of 1946, Dong'e District 1 was incorporated into Pingyin County. Dong'e Town was established in 1952. It covers an area of 95 square kilometers, with 3,282 hectares of cultivated land, and governs 55 administrative villages. It has 11,946 households and a population of 38,839, with a birth rate of 8.07‰ and a natural growth rate of 3.57‰.

Economic Overview

Gross Domestic Product: 679.63 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 12.2%... Detailed information about Dong'e Town++

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Shandong Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

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Sanjiang Drum Tower

Duoye Square

Moon Street

Dong Village Bird’s Nest

Sanjiang Stone City