Yungui Bridge

Yungui Bridge

Yungui Bridge is a cultural relic protected at the municipal level in Guangzhou.

Also known as Xiaogang Bridge, Yungui Bridge was built during the Ming Dynasty by He Weibo (1510–1587). He served as an imperial censor and Minister of Rites in the Ming court. Known for his upright character and boldness in speaking truth to power, he was imprisoned in 1545 after submitting a memorial impeaching Yan Song, then stripped of his official rank and sent home. He stayed at Hezhuang in Yungui Village, where he founded the Tianshan Academy to teach students and built this bridge to facilitate passage for travelers. The bridge is made of stone, with railings on both sides, and is now located within Xiaogang Park on Xiaoyong Road.

The ancient poem “The gentle spring breeze ushers in the evening tide; / A painted boat is summoned with oars in hand. / Two parts moonlight, three parts water gleam; / Ten li of clear stream, five li of bridge span.” describes this very Yungui Bridge. It is the oldest and best-preserved stone bridge in Guangzhou, constructed from granite slabs with an exquisite design that is both functional and beautiful. The bridge is 34.86 meters long and 3.4 meters wide, with a total of 38 stone steps at both ends. Stone railings line both sides of the bridge deck. It has three arches, with two piers standing in the Haizhu Stream. The bridge was designated as a municipal cultural relic protected site in Guangzhou on August 9, 1993.

Source: Archives Bureau of Haizhu District

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Guangzhou Municipal Cultural Relic Protected Sites