Bashbay Bridge

Bashbay Bridge

Bashbay Bridge

Long ago, the Emin River between Tacheng and Yumin had rapid currents, causing inconvenience to pedestrians and vehicles passing through. A local gentry built a single-plank bridge, but whether it was people or livestock—cattle, sheep, or horses—they all had to pay a toll to cross. In 1940, Bashbay needed to cross the bridge and happened to witness a poor herdsman being brutally beaten for not having the toll fee. He shouted angrily at the thugs who were beating him, “You won’t be here next year.” The following year, Bashbay funded the construction of a wooden bridge at a cost of 55,000 yuan, and stationed guards at the entrance. The bridge was 87 meters long, 6 meters wide, and had a load capacity of 25 tons. Construction began in 1941 and was completed in 1942. The completion of the bridge greatly facilitated the travel of locals and was revered by the community as Bashbay Bridge.

In 1976, the state invested 480,000 yuan to renovate Bashbay Bridge, and after the renovation, the bridge was reconstructed with a reinforced concrete structure. It was completed in 1978, featuring five piers spaced 16.4 meters apart, with a total length of 90 meters and a width of 7 meters. Because it was located at the boundary between Tacheng and Yumin, it was called the Tacheng-Yumin Bridge. To commemorate Bashbay, a democratic figure, the original name Bashbay Bridge was restored in 1983.