Ancient bridges
Updated : 2010-04-01
354 bridges are built on Jade River in the old quarter of Lijiang, with 93 bridges per square kilometer. There are different forms of bridges, including covered bridge, stone arch bridge, stone slab bridge and wood slab bridge. Some famous ones, such as Retaining Green Bridge, Big Stone Bridge, South Gate Bridge, Saddle Bridge, Longevity Bridge, were all built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
The Big Stone Bridge ranks first among all the ancient bridges in Lijiang. Located 100 meters on the eastern side if Sifang Street, 10 meters long and 4 meters wide, it was built by Chieftain Mu in the Ming Dynasty. It is also called Reflecting Snow Bridge, because Mt. Yulong is reflected in the river. As a double-hole bridge, its arch ring is made of slate, while its floor is made of five-flower stone with a slight slope.
