[2025 Yuanping Attraction] Travel Guide for Xinzhou Puji Bridge (Updated May)

In Gangyang Town, Yuanping, Shanxi Province, lies the Puji Bridge, the most complete existing stone arch bridge from the Jin Dynasty in my country. After five major renovations in 800 years, it is still a daily commuting route for locals! Founded: the third year of Taihe in the Jin Dynasty (1203 AD); Rebuilt: the sixth year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty (1373); Rebuilt: the 20th year of Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1755); Rebuilt: the tenth year of Daoguang (1830). Renovation: The second year of Guangxu (1876) Renovation: The fifth year of Guangxu (1879) 🔍Highlights guide: ✅16 "Reliefs of Gods": Dragon King worshipping the city + Jiang Taigong fishing + Lei Gong and Dian Mu...a large collection of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism elements. These reliefs vividly show the folk beliefs of the ancient multicultural integration. ✅Unique mechanical design: The arch of the bridge was specially raised when it was rebuilt after being destroyed by floods in the 10th year of Daoguang in the Qing Dynasty, creating a unique half-moon shape ✅Photography Tips: The dragon carvings in the bridge hole are the most delicate. There are stone carvings of peaches, pomegranates, Buddha's hands and other fruits on the top of the four pillars on the bridge. It is recommended to wear Hanfu and stand on the stone steps on the side of the bridge to take pictures. 📍Navigation: South Gate of Gangyang Town (free to visit) 🚗It takes 2 hours to get there from Taiyuan, and can be combined with Huiji Temple and Zhu's Archway for a one-day tour ❗The ancient bridge is still open to traffic, please be careful when taking photos

The old city of Gangyang is located in Gangyang Town, Yuanping County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province. Gangyang Town was the seat of the former Gang County. In the third year of Yuanding in the Western Han Dynasty (114 BC), Yuanping County was established. In the second year of Yongxing in the Northern Wei Dynasty (410 AD), Yuanping County was renamed Shicheng County. In the tenth year of Kaihuang in the Sui Dynasty (590 AD), Shicheng County was abolished and Pingkou County was moved from the present-day Dingxiang County to Gangyang Town. In the second year of the Sui Dynasty (606 AD), Pingkou County was renamed Gang County. In December 1958, Gang County was renamed Yuanping County, and the county seat was moved to Yuanping Town. In 1993, Yuanping was changed from a county to a city. As the county seat for more than 1,300 years, the old city of Gangyang has a long history and cultural heritage. It still has national key cultural relics protection sites such as the Gangyang Confucian Temple and Puji Bridge, as well as several city gates. Regarding the old city of Gang County, the Ming Jiajing edition of "Gang County Chronicles" records: "The foundation is grand, the gates and alleys are still there, and the current city government is in its western corner." The Qing Dynasty county chronicles briefly describe: "It was built at the end of the Yongjia period of Emperor Huai of Jin Dynasty, facing Tuoshui River in the east and spanning the current city in the west. At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, Chahan Zhiyuan built its western corner due to the division of the old city." Today, the north gate "Ningyuan" and the south gate "Jingming" city gates remain. Although the city walls are no longer as strong as they used to be, they are still simple and solemn, showing the glory of the past. Ticket information: Free Opening hours: All day Transportation information: Drive 18 kilometers north from Yuanping City to arrive.

Pujie Bridge, formerly known as 'Ying'en Bridge' and also called 'Guozhou Bridge,' was first built in the third year of the Jin Taihe period (1203 AD) by a wealthy man named You Wan. This open-shoulder, round-arched stone bridge is constructed with chiseled and carved stones. The main bridge is 30 meters long, 8 meters wide, and 7 meters high. Each end has an approach bridge, with the north approach bridge being 34.5 meters long and the south approach bridge being 28.5 meters long. Both sides of the bridge body are equipped with solid stone railings, with 20 balusters and 19 railing panels. The tops of the square balusters are adorned with stone carvings of fruits such as peaches, pomegranates, and Buddha's hand. The railing panels are made of whole stones with rolled edges and floral carvings. The stone bridge body consists of a single long arch and four small arch holes. The main arch spans 19 meters and is 6.5 meters high; the second largest arch spans 3.1 meters and is 3.2 meters high; the small arch spans 1.7 meters and is 1.8 meters high. All the arches are made of horizontally rotated stones, with beautifully shaped and exquisitely crafted stone reliefs on the arch frames and arch lintels. Besides the water-fetching mythical beast heads carved on both sides of the main arch, there are 16 relief panels depicting story characters. The small arch sides are carved with patterns such as dragons emerging from the water and nine-needle designs. All the carvings are elegant and delicate, with smooth lines, vivid and lifelike, and deeply meaningful. The bridge deck is paved with stone slabs, divided into three pathways, separated by two upright stone strips embedded in the same direction as the bridge body. Pujie Bridge is one of the oldest stone bridges in China. On August 18, 1986, it was listed as a key cultural relic protection unit in Hebei Province by the Hebei Provincial People's Government, recorded in the 'History of Ancient Chinese Bridges,' and praised as the 'Little Zhaozhou Bridge.' On October 16, 2019, the State Council of the People's Republic of China announced it as a national key cultural relic protection unit. Ticket Information: Free Opening Hours: All day Transportation Information: Drive 18 kilometers north along Jingyuan North Road and Jingkun Line.