Guyue Bridge

Guyue Bridge
古月桥
Guyue Bridge in 2008
Coordinates29°09′44″N 120°04′21″E / 29.162222°N 120.0725°E / 29.162222; 120.0725
CrossesDragon Creek
LocaleYiwu, Zhejiang, China
Official name古月桥
Characteristics
DesignArch bridge
Stone bridge
Total length31.2 m (102 ft)
Width4.5 m (15 ft)
Height4.15 m (14 ft)
Longest span15 m (49 ft)
No. of spans1
History
Construction end1213
Opened1213
Location
Map

The Guyue Bridge (simplified Chinese: 古月桥; traditional Chinese: 古月橋; pinyin: Gǔyuè Qiáo; lit. 'Ancient Moon Bridge') is an arch bridge located in Yiwu, Zhejiang province, China.[1]

Introduction

The bridge is located in Chi'an Town (simplified Chinese: 赤岸镇; traditional Chinese: 赤岸鎮; pinyin: Chì'àn Zhèn), and it is about 100 meters west of Yazhi Street (雅治街). It goes across the Dragon Creek (traditional Chinese: 龍溪, simplified Chinese: 龙溪, pinyin: Lóng Xī).[2]

It is a single span arch bridge. The design is very special: more precisely, its structure feature is girder-arch, and the girders are arranged like ribs. Such a design can be found in the famous painting Along the River During the Qingming Festival of Song dynasty by Zhang Zeduan.[citation needed]

The bridge was completed in 1213, the sixth year of the Jiading Era (Chinese: 嘉定; pinyin: Jiā Dìng), Southern Song dynasty. Since then it has never been rebuilt or repaired.[2]

On the body of the bridge are engraved 12 Chinese characters: Huangsong Jiading Guiyou Jiqiu Runyue Jianzao[2] (simplified Chinese: 皇宋嘉定癸酉季秋润月建造; traditional Chinese: 皇宋嘉定癸酉季秋閏月建造; pinyin: Huáng Sòng Jiā Dìng Guǐ Yǒu Jì Qiū Rùn Yuè Jiàn Zào),[1] which literally means: Constructed in Autumn September Imperial Song Jiangding Era the Year of Guiyou ("Huang" means Imperial. "Song" reveals Song dynasty. "Jiading" is an era 1208-1224 of the Emperor Ningzong of Song. "Guiyou" is the year 1213, it's the Sexagenary cycle-way to record years in traditional Chinese calendar. "Jiqiu" means the late autumn period of a year.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "古月桥 (Guyue Bridge) (Tourism sites in Jinhua)" (in Chinese). 联合网 (www.ungou.com). Archived from the original on May 23, 2008. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c "古月桥 (Guyue Bridge)" (in Chinese). Hudong.com Chinese Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 2, 2010.