Fangshun Bridge

Fangshun Bridge

Fangshun Bridge is a cultural relic protection unit of Hebei Province.

On the Qu’ni River, sixty li southwest of Baoding, stands a three-arched stone bridge. This bridge was once called “Shuangfeng Bridge” but was later renamed “Fangshun Bridge,” and there’s a story behind that. Historically, Fangshun Bridge held an extremely important geographical and military position. The Japanese army once burned, killed, and looted in this area, and the famous Battle of Baoding took place here; during the liberation period, the famous Battle of Fangshun Bridge occurred; renowned generals such as Yang Chengwu, Zheng Weishan, Xu Xin, and -Bang all fought in this area. Historical records indicate that the bridge underwent several restorations, which explains why the massive stones at the base of the bridge are as smooth as those on the bridge deck — it’s quite possible that major structural changes were made during these renovations, with stones from the bridge deck repurposed at the base.

With no protective measures in place, the stone bridge has suffered severe weathering, though it’s said that the worst erosion has occurred in recent years. Based on experience, the stone railings on both sides of the bridge should have been carved with patterns or images, perhaps even historical stories or allusions. So I carefully searched, but due to weathering, almost no traces remain. Records suggest this bridge may have been first built in the third year of the Yongjia era during the Jin Dynasty (though the Ming Dynasty’s “Record of the Reconstruction of Fangshun Bridge” considers it a reconstruction at that time), which would make it a full 1,700 years old today — older than both the Zhaozhou Bridge in Zhao County and the Lüye Tiji Bridge in the Ancient Lotus Pond.

In May 2013, Fangshun Bridge was announced as part of the seventh batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level.

Further reading:

· Fourth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Hebei Province

· Seventh Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level