Dongping Damu Bridge

　　The Damu Bridge, also called Zhendong Bridge, stands at the eastern edge of Anhua County along the Liuxi River. It was briefly renamed Dongfeng Bridge, evoking the spirit of “the east wind blows, war drums beat, and Anhua’s mountain city rises.” As early as the 1940s, locals referred to the wooden bridge as the Red Army Bridge because in 1935, during the Long March, the Second and Sixth Armies of the Red Army led by General Xiao Ke passed through Anhua. They did not harm the local people, even sleeping on the wooden bridge at night before clearing out remaining bandits and continuing their journey the next morning.

　　In memory of the Red Army’s victorious passage through Anhua and their night camp on the Dongping wooden bridge, Zhendong Bridge was renamed Red Army Bridge, reflecting the deep respect and remembrance of the mountain folk. The Dongping Damu Bridge was built in the fifth year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty, which corresponds to 1897 AD. Located by the Zi River and spanning the Liuxi, the bridge stretches 96 meters in length, with a deck width of 3.2 meters and a height of 11.5 meters. The structure consists of two main parts: the upper section is made of timber, while the piers are constructed from granite. The entire wooden bridge forms a long corridor-like pavilion. Massive wooden beams serve as the framework, and the deck is paved with thick planks. On both sides of the deck, there are 31 evenly sized pavilion compartments; during the day, these were used by small vendors to set up stalls, and at night, they offered a cool resting spot for residents.

　　This long bridge was built without using a single nail or piece of iron, relying instead on 1,000 cubic meters of timber—testament to the ingenious design of the time and the exceptional craftsmanship of its builders. The roof of the bridge is covered with grey tiles, and its two ends feature gracefully upturned eaves, giving it an elegant, classic beauty that is both majestic and grand. Over the years, it has not only been a scenic highlight of Dongping Town but also a vital golden route connecting the east and west of Anhua’s mountain city, bustling with activity as a lively marketplace for small commodities.

　　Although the wooden bridge market has since given way to other developments, the ancient bridge remains a popular attraction for visitors. Moreover, the cultural and propaganda departments of Anhua County have boldly innovated, adapting tradition for modern use. Utilizing the weather-sheltering capabilities of the great wooden bridge, they have organized various public education initiatives. Legal awareness bulletin boards have been displayed along the bridge, family planning information corridors created, and even a socialist culture gallery established. These efforts have allowed the historic Damu Bridge to shine with new purpose in the construction of both material and spiritual civilization under socialism.