Zhaozhou Bridge

Zhaozhou Bridge, also known as Anji Bridge, crosses the Xiaohe River at Zhaozhou Town in Zhao County, in Hebei province south-east of Shijiazhuang. It was built in the Sui dynasty, between about 595 and 605, by the craftsman Li Chun, and has been in use for more than 1,400 years. The bridge is about 50.8 metres long and 9.6 metres wide, and rests on a single segmental arch with a span of roughly 37 metres, which rises only about 7.2 metres. That flat profile was highly unusual for its date, as most earlier stone bridges used semicircular arches. Li Chun also pierced each spandrel with two small arches on either side of the main span. These open spandrels reduce the weight on the abutments, allow floodwater to pass through, and save stone. The main arch is built from 28 independent parallel rings of carved limestone blocks, held with iron clamps and dovetail joints, so that damaged rings could in theory be repaired without disturbing neighbours. The parapets and balustrades carry carved dragons and other Tang-era and later motifs, and fragments of original carvings are displayed at the site. Chinese tradition links the bridge to Lu Ban, the legendary carpenter, and to the eight immortals, and its fame spread widely in poetry and folklore. The bridge survived floods, wars and earthquakes, though it was repaired several times, including in the Tang, Song, Ming and Qing periods. Major conservation work took place from the 1950s, and in 1991 the American Society of Civil Engineers designated it an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. Archaeological investigation in the 1950s uncovered original stonework beneath the riverbed. Today the bridge is closed to heavy use and is preserved as a monument, with a modern replica road bridge nearby. Visitors typically spend one to two hours walking across the span and viewing it from the riverbank, often combining the visit with Bailin Temple in the same town.