Yonghui Bridge in Xiangyuan

Yonghui Bridge in Xiangyuan

Yonghui Bridge in Xiangyuan is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Era: Jin Dynasty

The bridge is situated on both banks of the Ganshui River between the North Gate and the North Outer Gate of Xiangyuan County, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province. Commonly known as Beiguan Bridge, Yonghui Bridge is a single-arch stone bridge built from blue stone. It stretches 33.6 meters from north to south and 8.34 meters from east to west, spanning the Ganshui River just outside the North Gate of Xiangyuan County. The Yonghui Bridge uses a longitudinal joint masonry technique for its arch construction. Rather than relying on thick abutments, it forms a structurally delicate yet stable single-arch system, showcasing the advanced engineering technology of ancient China.

According to the Qing Dynasty Qianlong-era county annals, Yonghui Bridge was first built in the ninth year of the Tianhui era of the Jin Dynasty (1131 AD). It underwent multiple renovations during the Ming Dynasty’s Chenghua era, the 19th year of the Wanli era (1591 AD), and the 19th year of the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty (1838 AD). The extant Yonghui Bridge and its associated cultural relics include the Mountain Gate, Main Hall, and Music Tower of the Five Dragons Temple. It is one of the National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units of the People’s Republic of China.

On January 12, 1996, it was designated as a Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit, and in May 2013, it was listed as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. It is categorized as an ancient architectural and historical memorial structure.

In May 2013, Yonghui Bridge in Xiangyuan was announced as part of the seventh batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Further reading:

· Third Batch of Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units