Pinglong Bridge

Pinglong Bridge

Pinglong Bridge

Pinglong Bridge, originally named Yong’an Bridge and Tongji Bridge, was called Shili Bridge because it was ten li from the county seat. The bridge spans the Miaoli River. Initially built as a “three-beam stone bridge” during the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, it was later destroyed. “Locals used bamboo, stones, and earth to build makeshift crossings,” but these were often washed away or collapsed. In the 23rd year of the Jiajing reign (1554), Zhang Shiju, commander of Xinglong Guard, proposed rebuilding the bridge. The locals enthusiastically donated funds, and imperial censor Zhang Yu allocated currency support. The seven-arch stone bridge was completed in the 29th year of the Jiajing reign. Later, the central arch was damaged by floods. In the 27th year of the Wanli reign (1601), Yang Yinglong, the Tusi chieftain of Bozhou, had the bridge dismantled to block pursuing government troops. In the 29th year of the Wanli reign, Guizhou governor Guo Zizhang oversaw its reconstruction and renamed it “Pinglong Bridge.” In the fifth month of the Dingwei year (1787) during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, the bridge was destroyed by a mountain flood. It was rebuilt a month later and completed in the second month of the following year. “The bridge’s height and width were increased compared to before, and it retained seven large arches spanning the water,” also known as the “Pinglong Dingwei Bridge.” In the 22nd year of the Republic of China (1933), when constructing the Hunan-Guizhou Highway, the bridge was paved to serve as a highway bridge and has been in use ever since.

The bridge deck is 79.4 meters long, 7.25 meters wide, and 7.64 meters high. Stone railings line both sides of the bridge, with pillars inscribed with the characters “Qianlong Dingwei.” On the sides of the bridge stand two four-sided spire-top stone steles erected in the 52nd year of the Qianlong reign and the 24th year of the Guangxu reign: one is a public merit stele, and the other is an edict stele.

Pinglong Bridge is a historically significant and grandly designed ancient stone bridge in the county. Today, the bridge is listed as a cultural relic protection unit of Huangping County.