Huaying Five-Star Bridge

Huaying Five-Star Bridge

The Huaying Five-Star Bridge is a cultural relic protection unit of Sichuan Province.

Five-Star Bridge (Huaying City)

The elegantly aged and uniquely charming "Five-Star Bridge" is situated at the junction between Bao Maikan Village in Qinghua Town of Huaying City and Shuangmen Village in Shuanghuai Town of Hechuan District. According to the *Huaying City Annals* and *Hechuan County Annals*, the bridge was originally constructed in the second year of the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty (1822 AD), boasting a history of 191 years. It measures 60 meters in length, 6 meters in width, and 5 meters in height, with a bridge deck spanning nearly 400 square meters, a total construction area of 408 square meters, and a protected area of 800 square meters. The entire bridge consists of five stone arches, each with a clear span of 8.8 meters. The piers are 3 meters wide, and the structure, from the河bed to the bridge deck, is built entirely from squared stones. The bridge deck is lined with 16 stone-and-wood structure houses, each 4 meters high and around 12 square meters in area, totaling 400 square meters. The bridge features a flush-gable timber-frame corridor structure, with 17 pillars and 16 bays, and a 3-meter-wide walkway covered with green tiles.

Though the various structures of the "Five-Star Bridge" now appear somewhat worn, they remain largely intact. Since 1965, the pedestrian walkway on the bridge was moved from the center to the right side, narrowing it to just 2 meters. Prior to 2011, five families lived on the bridge, operating businesses such as pharmacies, restaurants, and grocery stores, attracting a constant stream of pedestrians and visitors. The bridge serves as a boundary marker—its southern side falls under Chongqing Municipality’s jurisdiction, while the northern side belongs to Sichuan Province, hence it is also called the "Boundary Bridge." In the 1930s and 1940s, Chen Lianshi, the real-life inspiration for the legendary figure “Double-Gun Granny,” frequently transported ammunition from Chongqing to Huaying Mountain, often crossing this bridge. Beneath the bridge lies a wide river surface, calm and serene as if embraced by a gentle young woman resting peacefully below. Fish leap playfully, sending ripples across the water that shimmer under the sunlight. At dawn or dusk, the river glistens brilliantly, and light passing through the five arches refracts into star-like sparkles—earning the bridge its poetic name, the "Five-Star Bridge."

Whether viewed from upstream or downstream, the Five-Star Bridge appears majestic—more solid than a city wall, more spectacular than a mountain peak. Towering and grand, it spans the river from north to south, connecting Sichuan Province and Chongqing Municipality. Its unique charm lies in the integration of bridge and building—the house beneath the bridge, the bridge above the house, creating a unified structure that not only allows passage but also offers shelter from rain, sun, and wind. Most ancient Chinese bridges were built without superstructures, and those with integrated architecture were typically located near towns or villages. The Five-Star Bridge, however, stands in the wilderness. The ancient Qinghua Temple, built in 1827 (the seventh year of the Daoguang reign), still stands at the bridge’s northern end, sharing nearly two centuries of history with the bridge—the only remnants of the original architectural complex.

In 2007, the bridge was designated as an "Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit"; in December 2009, it was recognized by the Chongqing Municipal Government as a "Chongqing Cultural Relics Protection Unit." Before 2012, residents still lived on the bridge, operating small grocery stores and medical clinics. The Five-Star Bridge is special because of its integrated architecture—bridge and house, house beneath bridge, bridge above house, rooms within the structure—all serving as pathways for pedestrians and offering shelter, shade, and wind protection, as well as a place for trade. Year after year, season after season, this bridge has served as a vital bond connecting communities, fostering both communication and commerce.

Protected area: 10 meters east and west of the bridge body, and 30 meters north and south.

Construction control zone: 30 meters beyond the protected area.