Longnao Bridge in Luxian County

Longnao Bridge in Luxian County

Longnao Bridge in Luxian County is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Longnao Bridge is located in Longnaoqiao Town, Luxian County, spanning the Jiuxi River. It was built between the 11th and 31st years of the Hongwu reign during the Ming Dynasty (1378–1398). The bridge is renowned for its exquisite stone carvings, particularly the dragon heads that give the bridge its name.

The bridge is a flat-beam stone structure, originally 5 meters high, 54 meters long, and 1.9 meters wide, with 14 piers dividing it into 13 arches. Stone carvings of giant dragons, lions, elephants, and qilin (mythical creatures) are distributed across the middle eight piers. These figures are proportionate, simply yet solemnly designed, vivid, and naturally expressive. Their heads rise upstream along the Jiuxi River while their tails curl upwards downstream. The bridge deck forms the bodies of these creatures. Among the four dragons, each holds a “stone treasure pearl” weighing dozens of pounds in its mouth, and each dragon’s nostrils produce a resonant sound when blown into. Other creatures feature varying designs—one with a ribbon in its mouth, one treading on a silk ball, another stepping on a jade tablet—all exuding unique vitality. The entire composition shows ingenious craftsmanship, refined carvings, and smooth, clean lines, forming an elegant, majestic, and lively artistic entity.

In the spring of 1990, the Sichuan Provincial Government allocated funds to carry out a bridge-lifting protection and restoration project, ensuring effective preservation of this precious cultural relic. On November 20, 1996, it was designated as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit by the State Council.

Address: Longhua Village, Datian Township, Luxian County, Luzhou City, Sichuan Province

Type: Ancient Monumental Bridge

Recommended visiting time: Suggested 1 hour

Protected area: North to the northern slope of Songlin Mountain, south to Xiawan Dam, east to the western side of the Houbianwan house foundation, west to the western slope of Yandong Mountain. Total area: 36.48 hectares.

Construction control zone: North to the northern slope of Zhangchong Mountain, south to the southern bank of the Jiuxi River at Shuizhu Village section, east to the eastern bank of the Jiuxi River at Hebatou section, west to the red line on the eastern side of National Highway 321. Total area: 49.23 hectares.

Further reading:

· Fourth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units