Introduction of Wenruitang River Bridge

Wenruitang has a dense river network, crisscrossed tributaries and countless bridges. However, due to historical and man-made reasons, the present situation of many ancient bridges on Wenruitang River is not optimistic. Some are unknown, some exist in name only, some are beyond recognition, some are devastated, and only a few are well-preserved and simple.

The history of ancient bridges in China is a development process from wood to stone and from beam to arch. Most of the existing ancient bridges in Wenruitang River Basin are Liang Shi bridges, with no traces of wooden bridges and few stone arch bridges. Liang Shi Bridge, built in Song Dynasty, is well preserved, including Ancestral Temple Bridge on Jialongxi in Shen 'ao Village, Xianyan Town, Baiyan Bridge at Dongmen Ship Wharf in Rui 'an, Renshou Bridge on Panqiao River in Panqiao Village, and Renqiao Bridge on Caodai River in Renqiao Village, Guoxi Town. The red bridge and bamboo bridge (originally bamboo structure) on Quxi River are all wood structures. Due to the load-bearing demand of the bridge caused by repeated water damage and the rapid increase of people and vehicles, the Red Bridge has been relocated and transformed, and now it is a reinforced concrete structure.

In the ancient Liang Shi Bridge on Wenruitang River, the piers are generally composed of 3 to 5 square stones side by side, and some of them are made of stones, such as Penghu Bridge. Bridge holes have single holes and multiple holes, and the multiple holes are generally odd numbers such as 3 holes, 5 holes and 7 holes. Generally, the bridge deck is paved with longitudinal stones, and horizontal stripes or oblique stripes or geometric patterns are dug to increase friction and facilitate walking; Generally, there are lotus columns covered with bluestone slabs and bluestones, as well as beautifully shaped statues of birds and beasts, such as Panqiao in Ouhai.

Ancient bridges of different sizes and styles were created by Ou Yue's ancestors with hard work and wisdom. They are precious material and cultural heritage, one of the epitome and representatives of water town culture, and a unique and non-renewable cultural landscape on the Tanghe River. Except for a few ancient bridges in Tanghe River, which have a high degree of protection and are engraved with brief descriptions, most of them are in a precarious state and are in a fragile state of self-destruction. A few years ago, in Shanghe Township at the source of Tanghe River, you can also see the charm of several ancient bridges, such as TangGao Qiao in Xitou Street, Xiadian Bridge in Daitou Village, Jiang 'an Bridge in Shizhumen, and Pteris vittata Bridge in Qiao Lin Village. However, after several flash floods and river widening projects, these ancient bridges have disappeared. With the rapid development of urban and rural construction, the ancient bridges, which were already scarce, disappeared in front of our eyes at a faster speed.

Fan Yuxiang, a poetess in the Qing Dynasty, said in a poem: "The small bridge walks slowly, and the spring breeze warms the flute. Suddenly, I was shocked by the tourists coming from behind and retreated to the weeping willows. " I really hope that such a blurred and charming scenery can be preserved forever, and it will not gradually become a distant memory dream.

Lower Xie Qiao is named after xie cun, which is located in Louqiao Street. Bar stone structure, 9 holes, 55 meters long and 2.2 meters wide. According to records, the bluestone railings beside the original bridge supported each other. Now the bluestone railings have long since disappeared, replaced by steel pipe railings, and the slate bridge deck has been paved with concrete. This bridge is the oldest existing stone bridge in Huichang Lake System.

Panqiao, formerly known as Renshou Bridge, was founded in the Song Dynasty. Located in Panqiao Village, Panqiao Town, across the Panqiao River. East-west strike, stone structure, 3 holes. On both sides of the bridge are bluestone slabs and bluestone columns, and there are four beautifully carved and lifelike lions on the railing post in the middle of the bridge. It is interesting for a bridge that there are three slabs connected by stones. It is a relatively complete ancient bridge in the Song Dynasty in Ouhai. There are two ancient banyan trees at the western end of the bridge, which are luxuriant in foliage and spectacular.

Penghu Bridge is located in Baita Hall, Guoxi Town. The original white brick tower next to the bridge, commonly known as Baita, is also called Baita Bridge or Baita Temple Bridge. Over, 3 holes, stone structure, pier is special, with stones piled into a diamond shape. The words "Reconstruction in the 22nd year of Qing Daoguang (1842)" are engraved on the bridge slab on the west side of the Middle Cave. This bridge is the only existing ancient bridge in Guoxi that still maintains its original style, which may be attributed to the thick and solid piers.

Ancestral Temple Bridge is located on Jialongxi, Shen 'ao Village, Xianyan Town. Founded in the Daguan period of the Northern Song Dynasty (1107-110), it is a three-hole beam stone bridge with a north-south span, a length of 1 1.25m and a width of/kloc. The date of bridge construction and the name of the lender are engraved on the outer side of the middle-hole bridge plate, and the words "stonemason Sun An" are engraved on the bridge column. A flat cement bridge was built side by side to meet the needs of traffic, which also created good conditions for the protection of ancestral temple bridge.

Qingning Bridge is located in white elephant street, South white elephant street. It was built in the 31st year of Guangxu reign in Qing Dynasty (1905), with stone structure, 3 holes, length 17.5m and width 2.1m.. There are six or seven stone steps at both ends of the bridge, and bluestone railings and square lotus columns are set on both sides of the bridge. Although the baptism of years has left mottled traces on the ancient bridge, it is basically intact.

Renqiao is located in Renqiao Village, Guoxi Town, across the Caodai River. According to the textual research of the "Twelve True Mothers" engraved on the bridge column, the bridge was built in the Song Dynasty. North-South direction, stone structure, 4 holes. Miraculously, a tree grew in the middle of the bridge, and its roots were tightly stuck in the gap between the bridge slab and the pier. The height of the tree is only 1 m, and there are only a handful of leaves on the tree. But don't underestimate this tree, it is very old. An 84-year-old grandmother sitting in the sunshine by the bridge said that this tree was like this when it was a child. It is said that with this bridge, trees will grow. It won't grow tall or die. There is also a local custom. When rowing a dragon boat on the Dragon Boat Festival every year, on the first day of launching, you must paddle under the bridge to pick some leaves. It is said that young trees can not only make the dragon boat row quickly, but also keep it safe. Young trees stripped of their leaves will soon grow new leaves. People regard this small old tree on the bridge as a sacred object, and place a lot of beauty, auspiciousness and hope on it.

Jifu Bridge, also known as Shimadian Bridge, is located in front of Shimadian Temple at the bottom of Dior in Xiong Xi, across Xiong Xi. Stone structure, 3 holes. The pier is very distinctive, made of pomfret-shaped strips, which are strong and firm. Length 14m, width1.7m. Inscriptions such as "Jifu Bridge" and "Jiri Reconstruction in the first month of Qing Dynasty (1793)" are engraved on the side of the slate. It is conceivable that it was built much earlier.

Maqiao is located in Maqiao Village, Panqiao Town, also known as Dengyun Bridge, which spans the Panqiao River. According to records, it was built in Tongzhi period, with east-west trend and stone structure, with 5 holes, 24 meters long and 1.6 meters wide. Now this bridge has been demolished, and another highway bridge has been rebuilt, leaving only the pier at the east end, next to a big banyan tree, as if telling people about the vicissitudes and glory of the past.