Guangning Bridge is located at the eastern end of Guangning Bridge Direct Street in Shaoxing city, running north to south, a single-arch stone bridge spanning over the Cao River. It is said that there was no bridge here originally, but the locals pooled their resources to build one, benefiting the people who passed by, hence the name Guangning Bridge. The bridge was first constructed before the Southern Song Dynasty’s Emperor Gaozong and was renovated in the second year of the Wanli era (1574).
Standing on the bridge, one can see the mountains to the south of the city. The bridge’s center aligns with the Pagoda of the Great Goodness Temple and Long Mountain, providing an optimal ‘water’ view. Guangning Bridge is a single-arch heptagonal stone arch bridge and is one of the largest single-arch stone bridges in existence in Shaoxing. The bridge is a heptagonal arch bridge, with a total length of 60 meters, a width of 5 meters, a height of 4. 6 meters, and a clear span of 6.10 meters. There are 16 stone steps on the south side of the bridge, measuring 25.30 meters, and 20 stone steps on the north side, measuring 26.30 meters. All 24 bridge railing pillars are carved with inverted lotus flowers, robust and substantial, with elegant and generous patterns on the pillar boards. On the top arch stone of the bridge hole, there are six stone carvings, including ‘Carp Jumping Over the Dragon Gate’, with some grotesque and bizarre faces, as well as roaring with a lion’s body and a tiger’s head, all exquisitely detailed. The drum of the bridge is 3.7 meters long, 0.65 meters high, and 0.2 meters thick, making it a rare long drum. The names of those who donated to the bridge’s renovation are engraved on the arch stones. There is a towpath under the bridge arch, allowing for passage. The bridge has two intersecting roads underneath, hence it is referred to as an ancient overpass. The bridge is open all year round, 24 hours a day, with specific business hours subject to the day’s opening conditions.Guangning Bridge
Guangning Bridge is located at the eastern end of Guangning Bridge Direct Street in Shaoxing city, r[...]
