“Five Li Bridge” it is often called. Have you heard of the Anhua Bridge? It stretches gracefully before us. The Anhua Bridge is a testament to ancient Chinese engineering.
Anhua Bridge’s story began in the Southern Song Dynasty. Construction started in 1138. It wasn’t completed until 1151. Imagine the dedication required for such a long project.
Originally, the Anhua Bridge measured about 2,255 meters. That’s roughly five li. A “li” is a Chinese measurement equal to about 500 meters. Hence its nickname. This made the Anhua Bridge the longest bridge in China until 1905. People marveled at its length. “No bridge in the world is as long as this one” they said.
The Anhua Bridge consists of hundreds of granite beams. These beams rest on stone piers. Some of these beams weigh as much as 25 tons. Imagine the manpower needed to put them in place. The Anhua Bridge’s width varies between 3 and 3.8 meters.
Originally, the Anhua Bridge featured five pavilions. Travelers could rest here. Only one pavilion remains today named Shuixin Pavilion.
The Anhua Bridge played a vital role in trade. During the Song and Yuan periods, it connected production sites. Ceramics and iron were transported from the hinterland to Quanzhou. From there, these goods were sold around the world.
Over the centuries, the Anhua Bridge has undergone many repairs. Six major repairs have been recorded since its opening. Silting of the Shijing River estuary has shortened the Anhua Bridge’s length.
Today, the Shijing River’s estuary is mostly silted. The river channel under the Anhua Bridge is quite narrow. The bridge now crosses a series of lakes and wetlands.
In 2021, the Anhua Bridge was recognized by UNESCO. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List. This honor acknowledges its importance to medieval maritime trade. The exchange of cultures was very important in China and around the world.
The areas around the Anhua Bridge are being developed into parks. These parks offer a serene setting to appreciate this historic structure. A modern highway now crosses the Shijing River nearby.
Consider the Anji Bridge. It influenced the design of later Chinese bridge structures. The Yongtong Bridge is a similar stone segmental-arch bridge. It was built in 1130.
The Anhua Bridge stands as a symbol of Chinese ingenuity. It connects us to the past.