Luoyang Bridge (Wan’an Bridge), Quanzhou

Luoyang Bridge (洛阳桥), also known as Wan’an Bridge (万安桥), is a historic landmark located in Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China. Initially named Wan’an Bridge after the ancient ferry crossing Wan’an Du, it gained its current name after its construction. Luoyang Bridge holds the distinction of being the oldest existing cross-sea beam bridge in China and is renowned as the “First Bridge Under Heaven.” It is also one of the ancient Four Great Bridges of China.

Spanning the Luoyang River, Luoyang Bridge stretches 834 meters in length and 7 meters in width, aligned in a northeast-southwest direction. The bridge is supported by 46 piers, with clear spans of 8 meters between them. Each stone slab on the bridge surface measures 11 meters long, 1 meter wide, and 0.8 meters thick, typically laid out in sets of six or seven slabs. At the southern and northern ends of the bridge stand two intricately carved statues of stone generals.

The bridge features five stone pagodas along its length, and at the central section on both sides, there are two pavilions. Additionally, the bridge is flanked by 500 stone guardrails, providing both safety and aesthetic appeal. Furthermore, nine more stone pagodas and seven stone pavilions are strategically positioned along the bridge, adding to its grandeur and historical significance.

Table of Contents

• Basic Information
• Location and Transportation
• Origin of the Name
• Architectural Features of Luoyang Bridge
• Vlog about Luoyang Bridge
• History of Luoyang Bridge

Basic Information

Location and Transportation

Luoyang Bridge is located at the intersection of the Taiwan Business Investment Zone and the Luojiang District in Quanzhou, Fujian Province, near the Chongwu Ancient Town. The bridge begins at Caixiang Road in the north, spans the Luoyang River, and extends westward to Qiaonan Road. To get there, you can take bus 19, K502, or K507 and get off at Luoyang Bridge South Stop (洛阳桥南站).

Origin of the Name

The name “Luoyang Bridge” originates from the historical migrations during the early Tang Dynasty. Prior to this period, the Quanzhou area was inhabited by the Yue people. Due to social unrest and frequent wars, many people from the Central Plains, particularly from Henan and the He and Luo River areas, migrated south to Quanzhou and southern Fujian. These migrants spoke the Heluo dialect, which evolved into the Minnan dialect, and brought with them advanced agricultural techniques and cultural practices.

Upon arriving in Quanzhou, they were struck by the similarity of the region’s landscape to their ancient capital, Luoyang. In homage to their homeland, they named this new settlement Luoyang, and the bridge built there was subsequently named Luoyang Bridge.

Architectural Features of Luoyang Bridge

Luoyang Bridge, a marvel of ancient Chinese architecture, boasts several unique features that highlight its historical and cultural significance. The bridge’s piers are designed with boat-shaped ends, a structural choice that reduces water resistance and enhances stability. Both sides of the bridge are equipped with protective railings adorned with intricate stone carvings, ensuring pedestrian safety.

To combat strong winds, stone pagodas are strategically placed along the bridge. These pagodas are embellished with relief carvings of Buddhist figures and various decorative patterns, adding to the aesthetic appeal of the structure. Additionally, stone pavilions are constructed on the bridge, providing resting places for travelers. These pavilions, along with other bridge elements, feature numerous artistic stone carvings, including upright stone lions and ball-playing lions with stone balls in their mouths, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship of the period.

At the center of the bridge stands a significant pavilion that houses historical inscriptions. Notably, it contains a tablet from the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli era titled “西甘露 (West Sweet Dew)” and a Qing Dynasty inscription proclaiming “天下第一桥 (The First Bridge Under Heaven).” Surrounding this central pavilion are twelve historical stone inscriptions. Nearby, there are additional stone carvings from the Song Dynasty, including inscriptions like “万安桥 (Wan’an Bridge)” and “万古安澜 (Eternal Peace),” which further underscore the bridge’s rich historical heritage. One notable feature is the “西甘露” pavilion, located to the right of the central pavilion, historically used for rain prayers.

Vlog about Luoyang Bridge

History of Luoyang Bridge

Luoyang Bridge, located in Quanzhou, Fujian Province, is an ancient stone bridge with a rich history dating back to the Song Dynasty. Its construction was a response to the treacherous conditions at Wan’an Ferry, a critical transportation hub 20 li northwest of Quanzhou. During the Song period, Quanzhou Port was a bustling center of commerce, with ships from around the world docking there. However, the Wan’an Ferry posed significant dangers, with its waters spanning five li and connecting to the sea, often becoming impassable due to winds and tides. This perilous crossing led to numerous accidents and fatalities each year, severely hindering the economic development of Quanzhou.

Efforts to construct a bridge at this location began during the reign of Emperor Renzong of Song. In the early years of the Qingli period (1041–1048), local figures like Li Chong attempted to build a floating bridge, and in the fifth year of the Huangyou period (1053), Lu Xi, Wang Shi, and the monk Yibo advocated for a stone bridge. However, these early attempts were unsuccessful.

The significant breakthrough came in the fifth year of the Huangyou period (1053) when Cai Xiang, the prefect of Quanzhou, took charge of the bridge construction project. Over six years, from 1053 to 1059, the grand stone bridge was built, spanning 1,200 meters in length and 5 meters in width. The bridge featured 46 piers, with 28 carved stone lions and 500 stone railings on both sides. It was adorned with seven pavilions, nine towers, and statues of warriors at both ends, along with 700 pine trees planted on the north and south sides.

Despite its grandeur, the bridge faced numerous challenges over the centuries. In the eighth year of the Shaoxing period (1138) of the Southern Song Dynasty, a typhoon caused significant damage to the bridge, prompting repairs organized by Zhao Sichen, the prefect of Quanzhou. During the Xuande period (1426–1435) of the Ming Dynasty, subsidence of the bridge site and subsequent damage from tides led to another round of repairs led by Li Junyu (also known as Li Wu), who elevated the bridge by three feet.

The Wanli period (1573–1620) saw further tribulations. In 1607, an earthquake struck Fujian, causing the bridge to collapse. The prefect of Quanzhou, Jiang Zhili, spearheaded the reconstruction efforts. In the autumn of the eighth year of the Yongzheng period (1730) of the Qing Dynasty, another collapse led to repairs organized by the local magistrate, Gong Zhiqi.

In the 20th century, the bridge underwent significant transformations. In 1931, General Cai Tingkai rebuilt the bridge as a reinforced concrete road bridge, raising the bridge deck by two meters. In 1932, the National Revolutionary Army’s 19th Route Army established a branch in Quanzhou and modified the bridge, increasing its height by two meters and paving it with reinforced concrete, resulting in a structure with 47 arches, measuring 640.8 meters in length.

The bridge suffered during the Second Sino-Japanese War, with Japanese aircraft bombing two sections in April 1938 and Chinese forces destroying another section later that year. Post-war repairs in 1948 by the Fuxia Restoration Office enabled the bridge to reopen for traffic. However, in August 1949, retreating Nationalist forces set fire to two wooden sections of the bridge, and further bombing in September rendered it unusable until it was restored after the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Further repairs were undertaken in October 1962, when the third span and downstream piers were damaged, and the bridge was temporarily converted to a road. By April 1963, the repairs were completed, allowing traffic to resume. In late 1965, additional beam replacements were carried out on several spans.

In 1971, a new dam bridge, the Luoyang Dam Bridge, was constructed upstream to accommodate vehicular traffic and protect the ancient bridge. In 1993, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage organized a comprehensive restoration of the bridge, and it was reopened in October 1996. In 1998, a 12-meter-high stone statue of Cai Xiang was erected on the northern bank to commemorate the bridge’s founder and enhance its historical landscape.