Tongfu Bridge

Tongfu Bridge

Tongfu Bridge is a cultural relic protection unit of Guangdong Province.

Tongfu Bridge (Wuyan Bridge), located in Wuyan Bridge Village, Shiweitang Street, spans the Xiushui Stream. The bridge is 44.6 meters long and 2.9 meters wide, and is a five-arch stone bridge. In Guangdong, the term “eye” is used for “arch,” hence it is also called Wuyan Bridge (Five-Eye Bridge). The bridge features a distinctive design and structure, with wide arches and thin shells. Among the five arches, the central one is the widest, while the other four are slightly narrower and symmetrically arranged on both sides. Both ends of the bridge feature step-like approaches with gentle slopes, making it convenient for horse-drawn carriages to ascend and descend. The bridge was donated and built in the 40th year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1612) by Li Daiwen, Minister of Revenue (a native of Nanhai who passed the imperial examination as a Jinshi in 1604 during the Wanli era, rose to the position of Grand Coordinator, and later resigned to return home due to his mother’s illness). Historically, this bridge served as the first bridge on the provincial-Foshan highway and was a vital transportation route. During the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty, the bridge was renovated and has been preserved to this day. To commemorate Li Daiwen, it is commonly referred to as Li Gong Bridge, and because of its five-arch design, it is colloquially known as Wuyan Bridge (in the Cantonese dialect, “eyes” are used for “arches”). The 1691 edition of the Volume 2, "Records of Construction," under the section on bridges in the Nanhai County Annals states: “Li Gong Bridge is located in Houshui Village, built by the county’s Minister of Revenue, Li Daiwen.” Volume 11 records: “Li Daiwen, styled Kuiru, passed the imperial examination as a Jinshi in the Jiachen year of Wanli,” and describes him as: “Loyal, filial, honest, diligent, and generous in philanthropy.”

With the passage of time, the bridge no longer serves as part of the provincial-Foshan thoroughfare, but it still plays an important role in the daily transportation of residents on both sides of the Xiushui River. One arch on each side of the bridge has been silted up, and the bridge surface has become uneven. In 1993, the bridge was listed as a key cultural relic protection unit of Guangzhou Municipality by the Guangzhou Municipal People’s Government. In 2008, it was designated as part of the fifth batch of Guangdong Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units by the Guangdong Provincial People’s Government.

Xiushui Community: Xiushui Community…… More information on Xiushui Community++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Guangdong Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units