Cai's Bridge

　　Located downstream of Puweng Bridge on the mandatory route of the Zhijin–Qingzhen Highway, the valley is deep and the water flows swiftly. Not far away, a peak rises abruptly with sheer cliffs thousands of feet high. In front of the cliff stands a bridge that spans the river — this is one of the ancient post road bridges that once connected Zhijin to the provincial capital, Guiyang. It is called Cai's Bridge.

　　This bridge was first built in the 22nd year of the Jiaqing reign during the Qing Dynasty (1817 AD), and it is said to have been constructed by the local Cai family. The bridge is a single-arch stone structure with contiguous masonry. It is 21 meters long and 5.7 meters wide, with a flat deck. The arch apex is about 15 meters above the water surface, and there are no horse-blocking stone barriers on either side. At the center of each side of the bridge, on the “pointed stones,” there are two relief-carved dragon heads, symbolizing dragons playing in the water. On one end, steps lead up to the bridge from the ancient path along the rock face, while the other end has no steps. About 20 meters from the bridge, on the rock wall, there are two cliff inscriptions: one features four regular-script intaglio characters, “Ping Xiu Gu Dao” (meaning “Repairing the Ancient Road”), each character about 80 cm square, with bold and graceful calligraphy, inscribed by the Qing Dynasty Qianlong-era scholar and imperial examination candidate Chen Keshen; the other is an inscription in running script, intaglio carved: “By the Emperor’s edict, the rugged road of centuries was repaired, and a bridge for millions to cross was built. Those who tread this bridge and walk this road in the future will be moved by these words.” It was inscribed by another Qing Dynasty Qianlong-era scholar and imperial examination candidate, Chen Shouzhuo. Today, the bridge remains intact, and the cliff inscriptions are still clearly visible.