Fuqing Bridge

Fuqing Bridge

Yuanjiayong Village borders the Dongjiang River to the north, boasting over two kilometers of riverfront. The village is home to historic relics such as the ancient Tin Hau Temple, the Yuan Clan Ancestral Hall, Xiangse Family School, Jieyang Lane, and the Xitingfang Watchtower. The ancient Fuqing Bridge over the river, along with its banyan trees and traditional houses, not only serve as vital lifelines for residents on both banks but also stand as beautiful scenery and historical witnesses.

According to Chen Botao’s *Dongguan County Annals*, Fuqing Bridge was constructed in the fifth year of the Jiaqing era (1800) at the initiative of local gentry Yuan Tailai (*Dongguan County Annals* [Chen Edition], Volume 20, Page 8).

This is a three-arch stone bridge, 21 meters long and 2.8 meters wide. The central arch spans 5 meters, while the side arches each span 4 meters. Both piers are built with granite slabs. The bridge deck is paved with long granite slabs, each 70 cm wide, 65 cm thick, and 55 cm long in the central section. During high tide, the bridge bottom is 2.2 meters above the water surface. The railings are also made of granite, carved with patterns of mythical beasts spitting books, animals, and floral designs.

Stone bridges are a marvel of ancient architectural art and a testament to the wisdom of laborers in ancient times. In the past, with backward production tools and no modern equipment like drills, quarrying stone was an extremely arduous task, making stone bridges very costly to build at the time.

On one side of the bridge grows a large banyan tree. The tree winds along the embankment, spreading its lush shade, creating a picturesque scene alongside the stone bridge and the river.

Fuqing Bridge is elegantly designed and is the oldest surviving stone bridge in Zhongtang Town. Villagers at the time praised it, saying, “Even the Tianyue Temple in Chashan can’t compare to Yuanjia’s Fuqing Bridge.” (Note: The Tianyue Temple in Chashan is renowned for its grand and imposing architecture.) The characters “Fu” (blessing) and “Qing” (celebration) have long symbolized good fortune and joy in folk culture, representing the aspirations people strive for. The successful construction of the bridge was a cause for celebration for the local community, and they hoped these blessings would endure. Thus, naming the bridge “Fuqing” reflected the hopes and dreams of the people. Since its completion, Fuqing Bridge has served as a vital link connecting Yuanjiayong, Fengchong, and the neighboring villages of Xinjiutian and Xiujiutian. Having withstood over 200 years of weathering, it still stands intact next to the elementary school at the entrance of Yuanjiayong Village.

Yuanjiayong Village: Located in the central part of Zhongtang Town, Yuanjiayong Village is bordered by Zhancai to the east, Wujia Yong to the west, Hetian to the south, and faces Daden across the Dongjiang River to the north. It has a 2-kilometer riverfront. The north-south oriented Beiwang Highway and Nanhuang Highway run through the village from north to south, respectively, while the nearby National Highway 107 lies just 2 kilometers to the west. The village comprises five neighborhood units—Nanbian, Xiyu, Beibian, Xiting, and Yijia—and three natural villages: Xincun, Xinwan, and Daduntun. In 2002, the village covered an area of over 3 square kilometers, consisting of 8 villager groups with a registered population of... Yuanjiayong Village Detailed Information++