Xingwen Stone Bridge

　　    Xingwen Stone Bridge is situated between Nanguan Street and Nanguling in Gaozhou City, arching over the First River of Gaocheng. It was originally a wooden bridge. In the fifth year of the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty (1632), local scholar Zhuo Xi and Jiang Guoshen initiated donations to build the bridge with stone, linking the effort to promoting literary prosperity in the region. The donated stones were called “Xingwen Stones” (literally “Literature-Promoting Stones”), and the resulting stone bridge was thus named Xingwen Bridge. The bridge was later renovated during the Qing Dynasty. Since it is located south of the city, it is also known as the South Bridge. An inscribed stone tablet originally stood beside the bridgehead, bearing the characters “Taiping Tongjin” (meaning “Peaceful Crossing”), hence it was also called the Taiping Bridge.

　　    The bridge is 14.8 meters long, 4.5 meters wide, and 7.25 meters high. It features three arches and two piers, with the piers being diamond-shaped and built from layered stone slabs. The underside of the bridge deck is paved with blue bricks, while the upper part is laid with granite slabs. The bridge railings are inlaid with granite strips, showcasing a rigorous, sturdy, and elegant structure.

　　    This bridge served as the southern gateway passage for officials traveling to and from the Gaozhou prefectural government offices, as well as a defensive structure for the Gaozhou urban area. It held significant practical value and strategic importance, and was therefore highly regarded by the prefectural authorities. Long Dawei, an imperial official from Shicheng, even composed a commemorative record for the bridge. Since its renovation during the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, the bridge has remained solid and intact. Despite over 360 years of history, it continues to bear heavy loads from vehicles and pedestrians. As such, it possesses considerable historical and scientific value, and is the only well-preserved Ming Dynasty stone-slab bridge in the Gaozhou area.

　　    Xingwen Stone Bridge is now a cultural relic protection unit of Gaozhou City.