The Past and Present of Jiuyan Bridge

Chengdu's Jiuyan Bridge is not only a bridge but also a place name, located on the Jinjiang River at the southeast section of the First Ring Road, famous for being close to well-known Chengdu attractions such as Anshun Covered Bridge, Hejiang Pavilion, Wangjiang Tower, and Lan Kwai Fong, with Sichuan University's Wangjiang Campus nearby, hence it has some fame. However, many tourists, while visiting, cannot find the 'nine eyes (holes)' of Jiuyan Bridge no matter how hard they try, and even many new residents of Chengdu are unaware of its story. The true Jiuyan Bridge was built in the 21st year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1593), measuring 4 zhang in length, 3 zhang in width, and 3 zhang in height, with nine bridge holes underneath, hence the name 'Jiuyan Bridge'. Over four hundred years, Jiuyan Bridge has undergone multiple repairs and reconstructions, and due to its unique architectural style and historical value, it has become a famous landmark and cultural heritage of Chengdu. In 1992, due to safety hazards of the old bridge, Jiuyan Bridge was demolished and rebuilt a few kilometers downstream on the Jinjiang River, known as the New Jiuyan Bridge, located outside the south gate of Wangjiang Park. The bridge that is still called Jiuyan Bridge today is a two-way eight-lane highway bridge, but it no longer has the 'nine eyes (holes)' of Jiuyan Bridge. To see the nine-holed Jiuyan Bridge, one must go to the riverside of Jinjiang River outside the south gate of Wangjiang Park. In order for you all to recognize and clearly see both Jiuyan Bridge and the New Jiuyan Bridge, I made a special trip to visit and took a series of photos, hereby to testify.