Yongji Bridge in Muchuan

Yongji Bridge in Muchuan

Yongji Bridge is a cultural relic protection unit of Sichuan Province.

Yongji Bridge, located on the Mujuan River in Muchi Town (the downtown area of Muchuan County), was first built in the 30th year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1766). It is a north-south oriented, stone-piered, wooden-structured, multi-story bridge. The bridge spans 15 meters in length and 3 meters in width, with the deck 3 meters above the river. The central pier rises 5 meters above the water, supporting an upper-level pavilion that stands 7 meters tall, featuring a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof. The bridge deck includes a three-bay corridor with through-tenon beam framing, utilizing three traverses and four columns. The railings are 1.5 meters high with 0.1-meter spacing. On the southern side, there is a 22-step stairway approach, while the northern side has 4 steps. A clear stream flows year-round beneath the bridge, and when the moon rises at night, its reflection forms a perfect circle on the water, creating the scenic view known as “Autumn Moon over the Cool Bridge.” To commemorate this, a stone stele inscribed with “Autumn Moon over the Cool Bridge” has been erected to the northwest of the bridge.

Yongji Bridge underwent repairs as early as the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty. Later, it suffered severe damage during the Cultural Revolution. The People’s Government of Muchuan County carried out two comprehensive restoration projects in 1986 and 2000, restoring the bridge to its original appearance using traditional methods. In 1986, it was designated as a “County-Level Cultural Relic Protection Unit” by the Muchuan County People’s Government. In 1998, it was further listed as part of the second batch of “Municipal-Level Cultural Relic Protection Units” by the Leshan Municipal People’s Government.

Yongji Bridge is not only the only remaining stone-piered wooden covered bridge in Muchuan, but it is also extremely rare throughout the entire province. Its unique architectural style and distinctive design reflect the ingenuity of local craftsmen who adapted to the environment and made use of locally sourced materials. The classic covered bridge blends harmoniously with the picturesque natural scenery, forming a beautiful and serene landscape that holds significant value for both sightseeing and research.

Protected Area: An additional 5-meter buffer zone extending beyond the bridge structure.

Construction Control Zone: An additional 5-meter buffer zone extending beyond the protected area.