Chaozhou Guangji Bridge

Guangji Bridge, commonly known as Xiang Bridge, is a historic bridge that spans the Han River in Chaozhou, Guangdong Province, China. It is one of the four great ancient bridges of China, along with Zhaozhou Bridge, Luoyang Bridge, and Lugou Bridge. It is also considered to be the world's earliest drawbridge, as it can open and close to allow ships to pass through.

History of Guangji Bridge

Guangji Bridge was first built in 1171 during the Southern Song Dynasty. It was originally a floating bridge made of 86 boats. Later, stone piers and arches were added to form a combination of beam bridge, arch bridge, and pontoon bridge. The bridge was repeatedly damaged and repaired by floods, wars, and fires throughout history. In 1435, during the Ming Dynasty, the bridge was extensively renovated and renamed as Guangji Bridge, meaning "the bridge that benefits all". It also reached its final form of 24 piers and 18 boats. The bridge was decorated with pavilions, towers, and statues, making it a scenic attraction as well as a transportation hub.

In 1958, the People's Government of Chaozhou replaced the boats with steel beams and concrete piers to modernize the bridge. However, this also altered its original appearance and function. In 1988, Guangji Bridge was designated as a national key cultural relic protection unit by the State Council of China. In 2003, a comprehensive restoration project was launched to restore the bridge to its Ming Dynasty style and function. The project was completed in 2007, and Guangji Bridge became a pedestrian bridge for tourism and sightseeing.

Structure of Guangji Bridge

Guangji Bridge is 518 meters long and 7 meters wide. It consists of two sections of stone beam bridges on the east and west banks of the river, and one section of pontoon bridge in the middle. The east section has 12 piers and 12 arches, and is 283.4 meters long. The west section has 8 piers and 7 arches, and is 137.3 meters long. The middle section has 18 wooden boats connected by iron chains, and is 97.3 meters long.

The bridge is adorned with various architectural features, such as pavilions, towers, lanterns, railings, and sculptures. There are 126 pavilions on the bridge, each with a different name and style. There are also 12 towers on the bridge, each representing a different zodiac sign. There are two bronze oxen statues on the east and west ends of the bridge, which are believed to protect the bridge from floods. There are also stone tablets and inscriptions on the bridge that record its history and culture.

Historical and Modern Value of Guangji Bridge

Guangji Bridge is not only a remarkable engineering achievement, but also a symbol of Chaozhou's history and culture. It reflects the wisdom and creativity of the ancient people who built it. It also demonstrates the spirit of resilience and perseverance of the people who maintained it. Guangji Bridge has witnessed many important events and changes in Chaozhou's history, such as wars, migrations, trade, and cultural exchanges.

Today, Guangji Bridge is a popular tourist attraction that attracts visitors from all over the world. It offers a unique experience of crossing a drawbridge that can open and close according to the tide and traffic. It also provides a panoramic view of the Han River and the ancient city of Chaozhou. Guangji Bridge is a living museum that showcases the rich heritage and charm of Chaozhou.

Visiting Information

►Opening Hours: Generally is open from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm every day.
11/1-1/31 Monday-Friday: open from 10:00-16:30; 11/1-1/31 Saturday-Sunday: open from 09:00-17:30; 2/1-10/31 Monday-Friday: open from 10:00-17:30; 2/1-12/31 Saturday-Sunday: open from 09:00-17:30.

Due to the need for navigation, the pontoon bridge will be lifted at around 5:30 pm to allow cargo ships to pass through the river. If you happen to pass by at that time, you might as well stop and enjoy how it opens and closes.

►Ticket Price: The entrance fee for Guangji Bridge is 20 yuan per person.

►How to Get There

• After arriving at Chaoshan Station, take the K2 Express bus to Chengnan Primary School Station, then walk to Guangji Bridge. This is the cheapest method; it costs about 8 yuan and takes about 1.5 hours.
• Take a taxi or online taxi directly to Guangji Bridge. This is the most convenient method and takes about 40 minutes.

►How to Visit

Guangji Bridge currently only allows tourists to walk through, and no vehicles can enter. The Hanwen Temple and the Han River side are all good places to enjoy Guangji Bridge, but if you want to carefully appreciate the bridge’s style, you have to walk from beginning to end. Guangji Bridge is not only a scenic spot, but also an ideal viewing platform. Standing in the pavilion and enjoying the scenery on both sides of the Han River, listening to the local people talk about Han Yu and the story of Chaoshan people all over the world.

If you have enough time, you may as well experience a beautiful light show. Every night after 8 o 'clock, the Guangji Bridge light show at the east gate of Chaozhou Ancient City begins. The gorgeous lights are reflected in the river, the rhythm of music and the flicker of lights cooperate with each other, forming a unique scenery on both sides of the river.