Fengyu Bridge in Lufeng County, Chuxiong
Chinese Name: 禄丰县星宿桥丰裕桥
English Name: Fengyu Bridge in Lufeng County, Chuxiong
Overview
Fengyu Bridge, located in Xingxiu Park and spanning the Luoci River in Lufeng County, Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, was originally constructed during the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli era (1573-1620). It is a four-pier, five-arch stone bridge oriented north to south, with a length of 92 meters, a width of 8.1 meters, and a height of 9.5 meters. The bridge features arches of varying spans and is adorned with stone railings, lions, and other decorative elements. Fengyu Bridge, along with Xingxiu Bridge, is a notable example of Qing Dynasty bridge architecture in Yunnan and holds significant historical, architectural, and cultural importance. On March 5, 2013, it was listed as a key national cultural heritage site by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.
Historical Background
- Construction
Fengyu Bridge was originally constructed during the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli era (1573-1620). - Repairs and Reconstruction
In the tenth year of the Tongzhi era (1871), the bridge was destroyed by a flood. Additional levies were imposed on salt taxes to fund repairs, but due to mismanagement, repairs were delayed. In the seventeenth year of the Guangxu era (1892), repairs were overseen by Zou Xingde from the Black Well Administration. The bridge was completed in March of the eighteenth year with significant improvements and decorations. - Modern Usage and Changes
After the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, the bridge continued to serve as a road bridge. In 1958, the pavilion at the southern end was demolished, and the nearby temple was redistributed and later demolished. In 2008, a new road bridge was constructed between Xingxiu Bridge and Fengyu Bridge, leading to Fengyu Bridge’s cessation as a traffic bridge.
Architectural Layout
- Stone Arch Bridge
The stone arch bridge features a 30 cm thick asphalt surface. Some damage has occurred to the railings and stone carvings due to vehicle collisions, and weathering has caused flaking of red sandstone blocks and carvings. - Stone Arch
The stone arch is generally well-preserved but has experienced weathering. Some inscriptions and parts of the stone lions have flaked off, and there are cracks in the inscriptions due to uneven stress. Damage includes the loss of two stone elephants’ trunks and a partially damaged pillar inscription. The stone arch is surrounded by residential buildings to the east and north.
Cultural Significance
Fengyu Bridge, together with Xingxiu Bridge, represents a significant example of mid-to-late Qing Dynasty bridge architecture in Yunnan. It is among the larger ancient stone arch bridges in the region, featuring advanced design, high craftsmanship, and rich inscriptions. These bridges hold substantial historical, architectural, and cultural importance.
Conservation Measures
On March 5, 2013, Fengyu Bridge and Xingxiu Bridge were designated as key national cultural heritage sites by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.
Tourism Information
- Geographical Location
Fengyu Bridge is situated in Xingxiu Park and spans the Luoci River in Lufeng County, Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. - Accessibility
The Lufeng City People’s Government is approximately 620 meters from Xingxiu Park, and it takes about 5 minutes by car to reach the park.
Chinese Name: 禄丰县星宿桥(星宿桥和丰裕桥)
English Name: Xingsu Bridge (Xingfu Bridge and Fengyu Bridge) in Lufeng County, Chuxiong
Xingsu Bridge and Fengyu Bridge
Xingsu Bridge and Fengyu Bridge are located in Xingxu Park and over the Luoci River in Lufeng County, Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. They were originally built during the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli period (1573–1620).
Xingsu Bridge comprises three parts: a stone arch bridge, a wooden archway, and a stone archway with a curved top. The main stone arch bridge runs east to west and is constructed using large red sandstone blocks. It features a six-pier, seven-arch pointed stone bridge, measuring 118 meters in length, 10 meters in width, and 10 meters in height, with individual arch spans ranging from 9.8 to 10 meters. Fengyu Bridge is a four-pier, five-arch round stone bridge running north to south. It is 92 meters long, 8.1 meters wide, and 9.5 meters high, with piers measuring 19.6 meters long and 5.6 meters wide. The five arches have varying spans of 8.7 meters, 9.3 meters, 9.8 meters, 9.3 meters, and 8.7 meters from south to north. The bridge has stone railings on both sides, with two stone lions at the northern end and a kneeling figure at the southern end. Originally, there was a pavilion at the southern end, which was demolished in 1958. Xingsu Bridge and Fengyu Bridge are representative of the bridge construction in Yunnan during the late Qing Dynasty. They are among the larger ancient stone arch bridges in Yunnan, with advanced design, high craftsmanship, and rich inscriptions, making them of significant historical, architectural, and cultural importance.
On March 5, 2013, Xingsu Bridge and Fengyu Bridge were listed as the 7th batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.
Historical Evolution
Xingsu Bridge
In the 40th year of the Ming Wanli era (1612), due to the frequent floods of Xingsu River during spring and summer, which caused danger and loss of life, Lufeng County’s magistrate, Xiang Zhaolin, requested permission to build a bridge 30 zhang long and 4 zhang wide (according to the Qing Kangxi “Yunnan Fu Zhi”).
By the 42nd year of the Ming Wanli era (1614), the Yongfeng Bridge was completed, commonly referred to as Xingsu Bridge due to its location across the Xingsu River.
In the 39th year of the Qing Kangxi era (1700), the 42nd year (1703), and the 46th year (1707), Xingsu Bridge suffered three collapses and was repaired each time.
In the 51st year of the Qing Kangxi era (1712), the bridge was repaired, and a Dragon King Temple was constructed with three iron oxen placed on the bridge.
In the 5th year of the Qing Yongzheng era (1727), the bridge was destroyed by floods, leaving only one arch of the original bridge. For over a hundred years, the bridge was not repaired, and during winter and spring, it was crossed by floating planks, while in summer and autumn, small boats were used, leading to occasional disruptions and accidents.
In the 5th year of the Qing Daoguang era (1825), Yang Anyuan, a former governor of Zhaoqing in Guangdong and a native of Langjing in Lufeng County, was deeply moved by the state of the bridge and donated 3,000 taels of silver (he actually donated 1,000 taels) to fund its repair. The whole community contributed as well, raising a total of 12,000 taels of silver. The bridge was completed after six years of reconstruction.
After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Xingsu Bridge was used as a highway bridge.
In 1986, due to long-term heavy vehicle traffic, the second and third piers slightly sank, and several cracks appeared in the bridge structure.
In 1988, Lufeng County Highway Division repaired the bridge.
In 1998, Xingsu Park was completed, and the bridge was no longer used as a highway bridge. It was transferred to the Lufeng County Park Management Office for maintenance and is now situated within the park.
Fengyu Bridge
Fengyu Bridge began construction during the Ming Wanli era (1573–1620).
In the 10th year of the Qing Tongzhi era (1871), the bridge was destroyed by floods. To fund its repair, an additional tax of two-fifths was levied on the salt taxes from He, Yuan, and Yong wells. However, successive officials mismanaged the funds, and repairs were delayed.
In the 17th year of the Qing Guangxu era (1892), Zou Xingde of the Hejing Supervisory Office oversaw the repair. According to the “Lufeng County Annals,” the repair was urgently needed due to its importance in salt transportation. The project commenced in January of the 17th year and was completed by March of the 18th year. The new bridge was 35 zhang long, spanning 20 zhang across the river, with four water stone piers, 12 zhang long, and 1 zhang 4 feet high. The bridge was adorned with pairs of large and small lions and elephants, and the northern end had five stone tablets while the southern end had a pavilion.
After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Fengyu Bridge was used as a highway bridge.
In 1958, the pavilion at the southern end of the bridge was demolished. The temple next to the monument was allocated to villagers and later rebuilt and demolished.
In 2008, a new highway bridge was constructed between Xingsu Bridge and Fengyu Bridge according to the development plan of Lufeng County. After the new bridge was completed, Fengyu Bridge was no longer used for highway traffic.
Architectural Layout
Xingsu Bridge
Xingsu Bridge consists of a stone arch bridge, a wooden archway, and a stone archway with a curved top. The stone arch bridge runs east to west and is built from large red sandstone blocks, featuring a six-pier, seven-arch pointed stone bridge. It measures 118 meters in length, 10 meters in width, and 10 meters in height, with individual arch spans ranging from 9.8 to 10 meters.
The wooden archway is located on the east side of the bridge. It has four columns and three doors, measuring 12 meters wide and 10 meters high. It features four large columns arranged in a straight line, with the central column higher than the adjacent ones, creating a “凸” shape. It supports the beams and complex thirteen-step brackets and is topped with a gabled roof covered with glazed tiles. The central wooden plaque bears the name “Xingsu Bridge,” written in regular script by the then representative of Yunnan and Guizhou, Yili Bu, who later signed the Treaty of Nanking on behalf of the Qing government. The back of the plaque is inscribed with “Xingsu Bridge” by the then governor of Yunnan and Guizhou, the renowned Qing Dynasty scholar Ruan Yuan. The archway’s two central columns stand on large lotus bases, supported by huge drum-shaped stones at the front and back, which feature exquisite dragon, tiger, and qilin carvings.
Stone Archway
The stone archway is located on the west side of Xingsu Bridge. It has ten columns and nine doors, measuring 12.3 meters wide and 9.19 meters high, with a base thickness of 2.56 meters. The archway is designed with a “凸” shape, and the top mimics a nine-ridge roof style. The stone surface is adorned with relief carvings representing a wooden structure’s brackets. It features a central stone tablet inscribed with the characters “Kun Wei Yong Zhen” (维永镇). Below this are ten large square stone columns with recessed spaces between them, forming doorways. The doorways contain large blue stone tablets, with the central tablet measuring 3.3 meters high and 0.95 meters wide, and the side tablets measuring 2.6 meters high and 0.9 meters wide. The entire stone archway stands on a 0.9-meter-high lotus base, flanked by a pair of stone lions.
Fengyu Bridge
Stone Arch Bridge
Fengyu Bridge is a four-pier, five-arch round stone bridge, oriented north to south. It measures 92 meters in length, 8.1 meters in width, and 9.5 meters in height. The piers are 19.6 meters long and 5.6 meters wide. The five arches vary in span, measuring 8.7 meters, 9.3 meters, 9.8 meters, 9.3 meters, and 8.7 meters from south to north. The bridge features stone railings on both sides. At the northern end, there are two stone lions, while at the southern end, there is a kneeling figure. The pavilion at the southern end was demolished in 1958.
Significance
Xingsu Bridge and Fengyu Bridge represent significant achievements in ancient bridge construction in Yunnan. They are among the largest ancient stone arch bridges in the region, showcasing advanced design, high craftsmanship, and rich inscriptions. Their preservation reflects the historical, architectural, and cultural importance of bridge construction in Yunnan.
Protection
On March 5, 2013, Xingsu Bridge and Fengyu Bridge were officially listed as the 7th batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.
