Fangsheng Bridge, Stone arch bridge in Zhujiajiao, Shanghai, China.
Fangsheng Bridge is a stone arch structure in Zhujiajiao that crosses the Cao Port with five symmetrical arches spanning the water. The bridge measures approximately 71 meters in length and 6 meters in width, with slender stone piers that distribute weight and provide structural stability throughout the span.
The bridge was constructed in 1571 with funds gathered by monk Xingchao from Cimen Temple. It was substantially rebuilt in 1812 during the Jiaqing era, demonstrating how it evolved across multiple periods of Chinese history.
Monks gathered on the bridge to perform fish-release rituals into the water below, expressing a spiritual relationship with nature that was important to the community. These ceremonies revealed how local people understood their bond with the waterway and the natural world around them.
The bridge connects both sides of the waterway and lets visitors walk across while viewing the five arches from below. Visit in the early morning or late afternoon when there are fewer people around for a more peaceful experience.
This stone structure ranks among Shanghai's largest arch bridges and received official recognition as a municipal cultural monument in 1987. This designation protects the building for future generations and highlights its historical importance to the region.
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