SoleSky

Guangzi Bridge (Chinese: 广济桥; pinyin: Guǎng Jì Qiáo, literally Great Charity Bridge), also known as Siangze Bridge (Chinese: 湘子桥; pinyin: Xiāng Zǐ Qiáo) is situated at east urban Chaozhou, China. It is a key cultural relic site under the state’s protection, and it is renowned as one of the four famous ancient bridges; the other three are the Zhaozhou Bridge, the Luoyang Bridge and the Lugou Bridge. The Hang River has been crossed by the Guangzi Bridge for over 800 years. The old bridge was the first opening bridge in the world.

– wikipedia.org

Brief Introduction: The Guangzi was originally a boat bridge built in 1170 AD in Southern Song Dynasty with the length of 518 metres (1,700 ft). Later construction of piers and framework started from both banks of the river on which it was moored, and a full 200 years later the Guangzi Bridge, a floating section of 18 supporting wooden boats in between two beamed sections, was completed, just as described in the folk rhyme: “Chaozhou has an attractive bridge supported by 18 boats and 24 piers. (潮州湘桥好风流,十八梭船廿四洲。)” When necessary the floating section can be disconnected for the passage of big boats, an innovation that set a precedent in bridge-building history. There are two iron cows standing at both ends of the bridge, in the hope of protecting the bridge from the flood damage. A feature that makes the bridge particularly outstanding is that its two beamed sections resemble waterside streets with 24 different style pavilions and towers on the 24 piers for doing business, which become a special view on the bridge.
(long reading~isn’t it )
OK, Here we go ~
Go through the gate of the Ming city wall~ This city wall is really existed. And it still remained at the old city area. There are three or four gate along this northern part. Well, as a part of cultural properties, the wall and gates are repainted and repaired. So they looked more beautiful and clean.

Look around on the wall, we can see lots of people waiting to go through the Guangzi Bridge.

Then we reached the main Gate of the Ming city wall which is just in front of the Guangzi Bridge.

Wonderful! isn’t it ?
Let’s give the tablet on the top a close-up shot~

Nice~
Then here we go to the main site, the Guangzi Bridge. Guangzi Bridge is also called Siangze Bridge. Maybe you will wonder why and who is Siangze. In fact, it comes from a legend from hundreds years ago. It said that after Han yu(韩愈)came to administrate Chaozhou, he called his grandnephew Han Siangze(韩湘子) to build a bridge that cross the Han River(韩江). Because it’s very difficult to build a such large bridge at the ancient time. So Han Siangze called up the other seven immortals to help. So in order to remember the contribution of the Eight Immortals(八仙), the people named this bridge as Siangze Bridge.
in distance                                                              closer

&    closer

Then you can see the 18 supporting wooden boats in the middle part of the bridge. That’s call ~
Don’t ask me why we don’t be on the bridge… The reason is that it’s too expensive to pay the fee