There are over 500 bridges in Zhongshan. Which one is your dream bridge?

As a Zhongshan native, which bridge in Zhongshan do you remember the most? Whether it is the oldest existing ancient bridge, the earliest opening and closing bridge in history, or more than 20 bridges on the mother river of Zhongshan people… There are more than 500 bridges in Zhongshan, large and small, carrying the development and changes of the city, and also contain It reflects every Zhongshan person’s feelings for his hometown. We are about to enter the era of bridges. Let’s go together to find the bridge in our dreams.

The oldest existing ancient bridge in Zhongshan Witness the development of the top 100 towns in the country

When you come to Xiaolan, the \”first town\” in Zhongshan, you can walk through the bustling city and along Lantian Street in Xiaolan Town, and you will find that hidden away from the hustle and bustle, Zhongshan City\’s existing The oldest ancient bridge – Shuangmei Bridge. This bridge was built in the early years of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty and has experienced more than 600 years of ups and downs. In 2019, the bridge was recognized as a cultural relic protection unit in Guangdong Province.

According to historical records, Shuangmei Bridge was built in the first year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty by Chen Zhichang, the first inspector stationed in Landu. At that time, Shuangmei Bridge was the only bridge connecting Xiaolan and Dalan (now Yongning Community), and it had extremely important traffic significance. \”Shuangmei Arch Bridge connects two Lam\”, someone raised the topic at that time and asked: \”Which one is more beautiful, Xiaolan or Dalan?\” Someone replied: \”Both sides are beautiful.\” Hence the name of Shuangmei Bridge.

Xiaolan has double beautiful bridges.

Under the Shuangmei Bridge is the water-colored slope. The \”China Pavilion\” of the 2010 World Expo has an eco-tourism project from Xiaolan Town, which is Shuiseza. Shuiseza is a traditional folk attraction in Xiaolan. It originated from Xiaolan\’s traditional water town activity of floating colors on the water. In the past, during slack seasons, people spontaneously organized boats toThe boat, carrying the beautiful \”Lu Xin\” of folk tale characters played by children, moves forward on the river, forming a unique water spectacle.

Shuangmei Bridge also connects Shuangmei Mansion, the most Republican-style place in Xiaolan. Shuangmei Mansion was built in the early years of the Republic of China. Its predecessor was the former residence of Xie Yunlong, an official of the Republic of China. It has been recognized as a historical building in Zhongshan City and was rated as a provincial cultural relic protection unit in 2019. In 2010, Shuangmei Mansion was renovated. In addition to restoring the old village and water town appearance, it is also an entrepreneurship incubation base for Xiaolan college students. Various youth creative specialty shops, including coffee shops, water art shops, clothing, and food, have been opened near Shuangmeifu Pier. The revitalization and renovation of Shuangmei Mansion and surrounding ancient buildings has slowly unfolded a \”living picture\” of Xiaolan folk customs.

“But Xiaolan’s people are rich, their customs are etiquette, and the land is extremely prosperous. Although there are many cities and towns, it is not as good as it.” \”Lanchen·The Second Famous Township in the World\” written by He Dazuo in the Qing Dynasty describes a Xiaolan is a prosperous urban and rural area. Fast forward to 2023, Xiaolan ranks 17th among the top 500 towns in the country, and is the only town in Zhongshan to be among the top 100 in the country. From ancient times to the present, Shuangmei Bridge has witnessed the development of Xiaolan Town.

Since the reform and opening up, Xiaolan Town and Village has repeatedly set new precedents and taken the lead in embarking on the road of \”getting rich\”. It is still the benchmark for rural governance in Zhongshan Town. In 2022, Xiaolan Town was selected into the list of rural governance demonstration villages and towns in Guangdong Province and is an advanced model and demonstration model of good rural governance.

Xiaolan Town proposed that in 2024, it will anchor the goal requirements of \”strong economy, beautiful urban and rural areas, and social governance\”, concentrate resources to build provincial-level typical towns and typical villages, and simultaneously grasp 1.2 billion yuan Village construction, and create a number of \”Hundred Thousand Thousand Projects\” benchmark projects that are durable, popular, distinctive and bright.

At the same time, we will unswervingly win the two tough battles of \”industrial reform\” and water control, organically combine the comprehensive revitalization of rural areas, construction of human settlements and greening work, and plan the layout in accordance with county construction and development standards. Promote the construction of Meiliwei Town and Central Town to improve quality, efficiency, and innovation. Deepen party building to lead paired assistance to promote rural revitalization, deepen and implement the paired assistance between government, enterprises and villages, and polish the characteristic brand of \”cultural village chief\” resident guidance. Develop rural characteristic industries and actively explore new paths for the integration of agriculture, culture, tourism and primary, secondary and tertiary industries.

There are more than 20 bridges on the Qijiang River witnessing the development and changes on both sides of the strait

The Qijiang River is the mother river of Zhongshan people. It flows through nearly half of the towns and streets in Zhongshan and has also witnessed the development of the city. changes. The Qijiang River runs from Guangzhou in the east to Macau in the west, and is connected to the two major rivers of Dongjiang and Xijiang. It is the center of Zhongshan\’s \”waterway radiation\”.

Zhongshan has been good at building bridges since ancient times. According to incomplete statistics, there are currently more than 500 bridges of various sizes in Zhongshan. Entering a new era, people in Zhongshan are building more bridges, connecting to the east, connecting to the west, connecting to the south, and integrating to the north. Zhongshan people are building more bridges, creating miracles one after another, and promoting the co-prosperity of the east and west banks of the Pearl River Estuary. Zhongshan is entering the \”Bridge Era\”.

More than 20 bridges on the mother river of Zhongshan people

Recording urban development and changes

Including Qijiang Bridge, there are more than 20 bridges on the Qijiang River. Guangming Bridge, Yuanfeng Bridge, Zhongshan First Bridge, Zhongshan Second Bridge, Butterfly Bridge, Banfu Bridge, Qijiang River Bridge, Furong Bridge, Zhongshan Port Bridge, Donghe Bridge, Kanghua Bridge, Dongming Bridge, Pearl River Delta Ring Expressway Bridge, ancient Shen Highway Shiqi River Bridge… These bridges have witnessed the development of both sides of the Qijiang River and recorded the daily life of Zhongshan people coming and going.

Qijiang Bridge.

Guangming Bridge and Qijiang Bridge complement each other. The lampposts and guardrails on Guangming Bridge are different from any bridge in Zhongshan. Its appearance is novel and modern. It is another new highlight in Zhongshan after Qijiang Park and Jinzishan Tunnel.

Guangming Bridge is nearby and Qijiang Bridge is in the distance.

The total length of Yuanfeng Bridge is less than 100 meters. It is one of the main bridges commonly used by the old Shiqi people to enter and exit the city. The bridge deck of Yuanfeng Bridge has been repaired and widened many times, and a major renovation was carried out in 2011. The design of the bridges on both sides was inspired by the ancient Zhongshan building \”Tangzhimen\”.

On June 27, 2008, the Zhongshan Changjiang Road Bridge was opened to traffic. Now it is one of the busiest traffic lines in Zhongshan. The structure of the bridge is novel and unique, like a butterfly spreading its wings. It is affectionately called the \”Butterfly Bridge\” by Zhongshan people. It is also the first butterfly arch bridge in China.

After the reconstruction of the South Outer Ring Road Qijiang River Bridge, the total length is about 1,340 meters, and the main bridge is 153 meters long. The structure is a double-layer steel truss arch bridge, with the lower level being the South Outer Ring Road and the upper level being a central open-ended bridge under construction. Expressway is the first double-decker bridge in Zhongshan City.

The Zhongshan Port Bridge, completed in 1992, was the longest bridge in the province at that time. The bridge spans the Xiaolan Waterway and the Shiqi Waterway, connecting towns and streets such as the Torch Development Zone, the public, and the port. It is also one of the important passages connecting Zhongshan and Guangzhou. The expanded Zhongshan Port Bridge was officially opened to traffic in 2016. The new main bridge has two main towers, looks like two classical vases, and has graceful curves. It has a total of 144 stay cables and a design life of 100 years. It was also the longest span bridge in Zhongshan City at that time. Cable-stayed bridge.

Zhongshan Port Bridge.

Zhongshan Port Bridge is one of the important landmarks of Zhongshan City, with extremely high transportation value and historical significance. In the past few decades, it has been an important hub for Zhongshan Port to connect with the outside world, witnessing the rapid development and changes of Zhongshan City. It has become a transportation artery in the southeastern region of Zhongshan City and plays an important role in promoting regional economic development and improving the city\’s image.

Over 500 bridges, large and small

Zhongshan is entering the \”Bridge Era\”

Looking at Zhongshan City from Qijiang River, Zhongshan City has 13 external rivers and 1,041 internal rivers. The river network is dense and the drainage basin is wide. Among the eight major outflow channels of the Pearl River, three rivers, Modaomen, Hengmen and Hongqili, flow through Zhongshan.

Faced with the crisscrossing water network, Zhongshan has been good at building bridges since ancient times. According to incomplete statistics, there are currently more than 500 bridges of various sizes in Zhongshan. The increasingly frequent water transportation has closely connected the towns and streets in Zhongshan, and the continuous trade between China and foreign countries has connected Zhongshan with the outside world.

On May 1, 1988, the Waihai Highway Bridge across the river from Guzhen Town, Zhongshan City to Jiangmen City was completed and opened to traffic, opening the northwest exit door of Zhongshan. The bridge has a total length of 1,769 meters and can navigate 5,000-ton ships. It was once the largest highway bridge in Guangdong Province.

Waihai Bridge.

On July 1, 2015, the Dananshat Bridge, the second phase of the Guangzhou-Zhuhai Middle Line Project in Gangkou Town, Zhongshan City, was completed and opened to traffic. The bridge spans the Xiaolan Waterway and is 1,350 meters long. The main bridge is three-span and double-span. The tower double-cable concrete girder cable-stayed bridge has an average daily traffic of more than 60,000 vehicles, which has greatly promoted the rapid linkage between towns and streets such as Sanjia and Fusa.

In 2021. , the semi-interchange overpass of National Highway 105 was opened to traffic, opening up the \”last mile\” of the Shishui Line, adding another option from Xiaolan to Dongfeng, Nantou, Fusa, Sanjia and other places.

There is also the Shakou Bridge. , Yixian Reservoir Bridge, Nantou Bridge, Dongfu Bridge, Xinsha Bridge, Huangsha Lek Bridge… Every river-crossing channel is like an urban \”artery\”, delivering endless traffic for urban development. Energy.

Qijiang Bridge

The earliest opening and closing bridge in the history of Zhongshan

Gathering the sentiments of generations

When it comes to the oldest existing Shuangmei Bridge in Zhongshan City, we must Not to mention the Qijiang Bridge, the earliest opening and closing bridge in the history of Zhongshan.

According to historical records, before the founding of New China, there was no bridge on the Qijiang River, and pedestrians and merchants had to rely on it to travel between the east and west banks of the river. Boat ferry. \”Shiqi Late Ferry\” became one of the \”Eight Scenic Spots of Xiangshan\”. From the late 1920s to the early 1930s, Shiqi had become an important town in the Pearl River Delta. A road network has initially emerged, but due to the obstruction of the Qijiang River, the east and west roads are not connected to each other, and transportation is still inconvenient.

In 1931, Yang Ziyi, the magistrate of Zhongshan County, made up his mind to build a bridge on the Qijiang River. , but the project only lasted a few months, and only four bridge pillars were erected. During the Anti-Japanese War, the county government built a simple bamboo bridge at the original bridge to facilitate the evacuation of people to avoid air raids. The bridge was only open when the air raid siren sounded and was closed at ordinary times.

Until January 1, 1951, the Shiqi Chamber of Commerce took the lead in raising funds, with the help of the People\’s Liberation Army moving south, at a cost of 217 million yuan. (Old currency, equivalent to 21,700 yuan) Qijiang Bridge was completed and opened to traffic for the first time. The bridge is 70 meters long and 4 meters wide. It is built with wood on both sides and has a pontoon in the middle, which can be driven. The bridge deck was combined to facilitate the passage of ships, which changed the history of no bridges on both sides of the Qijiang River. To this day, the Qijiang Bridge has become a famous landmark in Zhongshan City.

In February 1977, it was constructed by the Yuezhong Shipyard. The main body of the electric suspension bridge built with a concrete and steel plate structure has become the unique form of the Qijiang Bridge. The 77 version of the Qijiang Bridge took 36 years, and it no longer adapts to the times due to the aging of the bridge.Due to development needs, it was demolished and rebuilt on May 27, 2013.

The structure and appearance of the new version of Qijiang Bridge in 2014 are the same as the original ones. It still opens and closes like an iron bridge and retains the bright red color. Considering that the Qijiang Bridge connects Fuhua and Pedestrian Street business districts and has a large flow of people, the sidewalk was widened by 50 centimeters on each side and the entire bridge was widened by 1 meter. The new Qijiang Bridge adopts the same span layout as the old bridge. The whole bridge is 74.7 meters long and 20 meters wide. It has been widened from the original two lanes to four lanes. It was completed and opened to traffic on July 31, 2014. The design load standard of the bridge was raised to highway Level I design load standards.

From pontoons built entirely of wood that can be opened and closed by boats, to steel suspension bridges made of cement and steel bars, which can be opened and closed in the center of the city, this feature is rare in China. Qijiang Bridge embodies the sentiments of generations of Zhongshan people. It is not only a building, but a witness to Zhongshan\’s economy, culture, and history. It has also become a unique scenery and a symbol of Zhongshan tourism and a city.

Since the Qijiang Bridge was built, it has always insisted on opening and closing the bridge within the specified time to ensure Zhongshan shipping. This method of timing opening and closing has left a deep impression on people\’s minds. After many overseas Chinese have been abroad for many years, they come back specifically to see the opening and closing of the Qijiang Bridge.

Written/arranged by: Nandu reporter Hou Yuxiao

Photography: Nandu reporter Wu Jin