Bian Bridge

　　Located 24 kilometers southeast of Sishui County and at the northwest end of Quanlin, you’ll see a stone arch bridge crossing the Si River. The whole bridge is grand and majestic, and from afar, it looks like a rainbow lying across the Si River.

　　In ancient times, this area was known as the State of Bian, hence the bridge naturally came to be called Bian Bridge. On every Mid-Autumn night, the water reflects a double moon, which is why it’s also known as the “Bian Bridge Double Moon,” or the Double Moon Bridge. On Mid-Autumn night, the moon casts a double reflection,

　　creating a uniquely beautiful scene that was once one of the “Ten Scenic Spots of Sishui.”

　　Bian Bridge predates Beijing’s Lugou Bridge in age, and even from the time of its last major restoration, it has a history of over 8

　　00 years. Together with Zhaozhou Bridge, Lugou Bridge, and Suzhou’s Baodai Bridge, it is one of China’s very few surviving

　　earliest stone arch bridges.

　　● Bian Bridge integrates mathematics, mechanics, and aesthetics, possessing high historical, artistic, and scientific value. It holds an important place in the history of ancient Chinese bridge architecture. ● Unlike many ancient cultural relics, Bian Bridge belongs to the common people and has withstood a thousand years of weathering without showing signs of decay.

　　Bian Bridge is the oldest surviving ancient bridge in Shandong. The bridge lies directly on the ancient key route in central-southern Shandong that connected Yanzhou and Qufu to Linyi, playing an important role in ancient transportation.

　　On December 23, 1977, it was announced as one of the first batch of key cultural relics protection units in Shandong Province.

　　According to *Conversations on Topics in Ancient Economic History? Conversations on the History of Ancient Bridges*, Bian Bridge “may be a rare example of late Tang Dynasty architecture nationwide.” It was renovated in the 21st year of the Dading era of the Jin Dynasty (1181 AD), and during the ninth year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (

　　1581 AD), some railing panels and column ornaments were restored. The bridge runs east-west and features three linked arches. The bridge is 25 meters long, 7 meters wide, and 6.5 meters high, with approach ramps 35 meters long at each end. The three arched stone

　　bridge openings have a large central span about 5 meters high, and the two smaller spans on the east and west sides are each about 4 meters high. Each of the three spans is 4.5 meters wide, with arch bases 0.5 meters thick and arch crowns 0.4 meters thick. The bridge deck is lined on both sides with 14 balusters and 13 railing panels. The balusters

　　are topped with square lotus patterns, the railing panels are decorated with cloud-and-water motifs along their edges, and the central sections feature several bas-relief carvings such as “Jiang Taigong Fishing,” “Bian Zhuang Stabbing the Tiger,” “Zhou Chu Eliminating the Three Evils,” and “Asking the Boy Under the Pine,” all vividly rendered,

　　appropriately sized, and considered masterpieces of stone carving. At each end of the bridge stands a pair of facing stone lions, crouching atop Sumeru lotus pedestals—the bare lion heads hinting at the bridge’s age. On the tops of both sides of each arch opening are carved dragon heads projecting north and south. The dragons are lifelike, gazing at the river. According to locals, these dragon heads serve to “subdue the waters.” The arch bases are supported by lotus-shaped pedestal stones, while the lower parts of the bridge piers are shaped like spindle prows to meet the current.

　　Cultural relics experts from the Jining Cultural Relics Bureau told reporters that Bian Bridge is one of China’s oldest surviving stone arch bridges, with high historical, artistic, and scientific value.

　　The lotus-shaped pedestal stones at the arch bases of Bian Bridge feature plump, rounded petals, exhibiting a distinct late Tang style. The section below the pedestal stones is believed to date from the late Tang Dynasty. As for its renovation, counting from the 21st year of the Dading era of the Jin Dynasty,

　　it predates Beijing’s Lugou Bridge in age, with over 800 years of history. Together with Zhaozhou Bridge, Lugou Bridge, and Suzhou’s Baodai Bridge, it is among China’s very few earliest surviving stone arch bridges. As such, it holds an important position in the history of ancient Chinese bridge architecture. At the same time, Bian Bridge is also a rare ancient gallery of stone carving art.

　　Bian Bridge is exquisitely designed and finely constructed, making it a rare

　　ancient artistic treasure in its own right. Its stone carving art—including the railing panels, balusters, stone lions, beast heads, Sumeru pedestals, and lotus pedestal stones—employs various techniques such as line carving, relief carving, openwork carving, and full-body sculpture, bringing together the best of ancient

　　carving arts. Especially the patterns on the railing panels along both sides of the bridge deck are rich in content, masterfully carved, and of high artistic and aesthetic value, forming a true corridor of stone carving art. They fully demonstrate

　　the wisdom and artistic talent of ancient laborers. Moreover, Bian Bridge is also an outstanding masterpiece in the history of ancient bridge architecture. Not only is it beautifully shaped and finely built, but its layout is ingenious and its structure rational. Through meticulous design, the entire bridge is a unified whole, exceptionally sturdy. Despite more than 800 years of wind and rain, apart from the bridge deck, balusters, and railing panels, the main structure remains largely intact and still accommodates heavy vehicle traffic—

　　a prime example of the perfect combination of practical and artistic value. Integrating mathematics, mechanics, and aesthetics, it is a masterpiece in the history of ancient bridge architecture, especially in the evolution of arch bridge design. Therefore, it holds not only practical value but also significant scientific research importance.

　　Bian Bridge is full of a rustic, time-worn charm, remaining unweathered after a thousand years. Beneath the bridge flows a clear, long river, with willows gently lining both banks. From the south to the north beneath the bridge flows a tranquil stream of clear water, so serene it seems almost

　　otherworldly.

　　Load-bearing structures are a classic example of perfectly combining the practical and artistic values of bridges. They integrate mathematics, mechanics, and aesthetics, and are masterpieces in the history of ancient bridge construction, especially arched bridges.

　　Therefore, they not only possess practical value but also hold significant scientific research value.

　　Bian Bridge is imbued with a sense of ancient charm and enduring simplicity, having stood through a thousand years of wind and frost without showing signs of decline. Beneath the bridge, clear waves flow ceaselessly, and willows sway gracefully on both banks. The tranquil waters flowing quietly from south to north beneath the bridge are so serene that they seem to be

　　A breeze drifts by, audible yet invisible, with only the rustling sound and the gracefully swaying waterweeds floating downstream vividly indicating the direction of the current. Along the river stretches an endless expanse of

　　downy green. Unlike many ancient cultural relics, Bian Bridge belongs to the common folk and still serves its practical purpose today: farmers returning home with their hoes walk across it, bicyclists speed over it—this is Bian Bridge.

　　Gliding over it from above — this is the Bian Bridge.