Shouchang Bridge

　　Situated on the Shangzhu River in Erdou Village, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, and oriented from north to south, it is a single-arch stone bridge with a total length of over 40 meters, a height of 8.10 meters, a clear span of 17.4 meters, and a rise of 7.16 meters. Historical records indicate that the bridge was built during the Xianchun era of the Southern Song Dynasty, making it over 700 years old. The bridge features a scientifically sound structure, elegant design, simple yet classic decorations, and remains well-preserved. It is currently the largest and best-preserved single-arch stone bridge from the Song Dynasty discovered in northern Zhejiang’s Hangjiahu region and even the broader Yangtze River Delta. The entire bridge was constructed using the locally renowned “Wukang Stone.” Its purplish-brown surface, entwined with green vines, resembles a rainbow drinking from the stream and holds extremely high cultural relic and ancient architectural value. Shouchang Bridge has retained much of its original historical appearance.

　　Shouchang Bridge is one of the most era-characteristic stone arch bridges. Its scientific design, aesthetic form, and exquisite craftsmanship — especially its relatively large single-span and use of tapering techniques — are rare among similar bridges. It is a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit and has been nominated as a national-level cultural relic protection site. Shouchang Bridge was built about 130 years later than Yong’an Bridge. All materials used in Shouchang Bridge come from Wukang Stone quarried from nearby Fangfeng Mountain. The bridge is 40 meters long, with a single clear span of 17.40 meters. Its notable feature lies in the masterful use of advanced tapering techniques, such as those seen in the bridge piers, arch rings, and inclined footings. Therefore, compared to Yong’an Bridge, Qinghe Bridge, and others, Shouchang Bridge demonstrates greater uniqueness in design. Although all three are types of arch bridges, differences in form and construction techniques are evident. The carving craftsmanship of Shouchang Bridge fully reflects the designer’s exceptional ingenuity, such as the pairing of cloud motifs with grouped drum stud patterns. The bridge bears the name “Shouchang” inscribed beside it. On the right side inside the arch, there is also an exquisitely carved lotus design, both of which are key characteristics of bridges from the Song and Yuan periods. The shape of Shouchang Bridge is like a uniquely beautiful masterpiece of craftsmanship, forming a striking contrast with the modern expressway bridge nearby and becoming a beautiful local landmark. It is the largest and best-preserved single-arch stone bridge from the Song Dynasty discovered in northern Zhejiang’s Hangjiahu region and the broader Yangtze River Delta, and holds extremely high cultural relic and ancient architectural value.

　　Built during the Xianchun era of the Southern Song Dynasty, Shouchang Bridge has a history of over 700 years. With its scientific structure, elegant form, classic decorations, and good preservation, it is the largest and best-preserved single-arch stone bridge from the Song Dynasty discovered in northern Zhejiang’s Hangjiahu region and the broader Yangtze River Delta. It is understood that Guangji Bridge in Tangqi Town, Yuhang District, Hangzhou, known as the “First Bridge of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal,” surpasses Shouchang Bridge in terms of scale, design, and fame. Last year, both bridges were nominated together for National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit status, but Guangji Bridge was not selected. This further highlights the true value and rarity of Shouchang Bridge.

　　Cultural relic experts conducted investigations into the bridge foundation of Shouchang Bridge. They built cofferdams at both ends of the river channel, drained the water, and studied the bridge foundation. Beneath the foundation lie numerous thick round wooden piles, some with diameters exceeding 30 centimeters, none of which have decayed to this day. The foundation built on these wooden piles has barely deformed. This is the main reason why Shouchang Bridge has withstood over 700 years of weathering without collapsing. Overall, the bridge is well-preserved, but many components are missing, and some show severe surface weathering. Tests conducted by the Provincial Geological Research Institute revealed that elements such as silicon and iron have been lost from the stone components of the bridge, reducing their mechanical strength and affecting its compressive and seismic resistance to some extent.

　　The main body of Shouchang Bridge remains largely intact, and the arch structure is relatively stable. However, after more than 700 years of exposure to sun, rain, natural forces, and human damage, the bridge faces multiple risks. In August 2005, the Zhejiang Ancient Architecture Design and Research Institute conducted a comprehensive survey and found that parts of the bridge abutment pile foundation had been partially scoured away, with some wooden piles exposed; the masonry of the bridge body showed displacement, bulging, and fractures; many railings and balusters were damaged or missing; the bridge steps were uneven; and the stonework was severely weathered, with trees and weeds growing in the crevices.