Ganzhou Jianchun Gate

　　    Jiangxi’s Ganzhou, known as the “City of the Song Dynasty,” is surrounded by water on three sides and is the first city at the source of the Gan River. The Gan River is formed by the Zhang River and the Gong River flowing downstream together. Since the Northern Song Dynasty, three wooden pontoon bridges—the Xijin Bridge, Dongjin Bridge, and Shang Bridge—were successively built over the Zhang River and Gong River to facilitate transportation for residents on both banks. Today, only the Dongjin Bridge remains. It refers to the ancient pontoon bridge over the Gong River, just outside the Jianchun Gate of the ancient city wall. Preserved as a historic-cultural landscape of China's famous historical and cultural cities, it still holds practical value today and serves as an important transportation route for local residents.

　　    The bridge is 400 meters long, formed by connecting nearly a hundred wooden boats in a loop with ropes, with wooden planks laid across the boats to serve as the bridge deck. Walking on it, you feel it bobbing up and down, creaking and swaying, filled with a thrilling poetic sensation. This Song Dynasty-era pontoon bridge, with over 800 years of history, is also one of the key symbols of Ganzhou’s Song City and a representation of Ganzhou’s Song culture. It is even more so a historic site rich in humanistic charm. The bridge was initially built during the Southern Song Dynasty by a renowned historical figure named Hong Mai, a native of Poyang, Jiangxi, who once served as the military governor of Ganzhou.

　　    Throughout the seasons, this ancient transportation facility forms a unique cultural landscape of Ganzhou, a historic and cultural city. In the past, when road infrastructure was underdeveloped, the waterways of the Gan River were the golden transport routes. At its busiest, boats continuously traveled from the Gong River down to the Gan River. At 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily, the pontoon bridge would be disconnected temporarily to allow ships to pass. In earlier times, many riverside cities across China had similar pontoon bridges, but they are now rarely seen elsewhere. The other end of Ganzhou’s Jianchun Gate Ancient Pontoon Bridge leads to suburban rural areas and some factories. On summer evenings, many city residents come here to swim in the river via the bridge. In the evening, many come to the bridge to cool off and take walks, and young couples often choose this spot for romantic dates, continuing the endless poetic legacy of this ancient bridge.

　　    Although Ganzhou’s ancient city wall is from the Song Dynasty, much of it has been repaired over time. Observations suggest that the Jianchun Gate was also rebuilt later. The gate connects with the city wall and doesn’t have anything particularly special apart from that. However, the Jianchun Gate area is close to the ancient pontoon bridge scenic spot, and there’s also a local elderly woman who makes a famously delicious Ganzhou snack called tangpi, which is incredibly authentic.

　　    It took me over half an hour to walk from Zar Lane all the way to Jianchun Gate. Just outside the gate is the ancient pontoon bridge, and beneath the gate tower, many small vendors sell local specialties.