Kilometers away at the east of the city, Luoyang Bridge is a key heritage under national protection. It is one of the four most famous ancient bridges in China, paralleling to Lugou Bridge in Beijing, Zhaozhou Bridge in Hebei Province and Guangji Bridge in Guangdong Province.
Luoyang itself is the name of city in Henan Province, which is thousands of miles away. But the bridge does have connection with Luoyang City. It is said that many people moved from Henan Province to south Fujian in the early stage of the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) due to war and vast social unrest. When the migrants came to Quanzhou, they found the landscape was similar to Luoyang City in Henan and also called Quanzhou as another Luoyang city. That is where the bridge got its name hundreds years ago.
Luoyang Bridge was built in the fifth year of Emperor Huangyu of Song Dynasty (960 - 1279) and cost 7 years to complete. With about 1,312 yards long and 5.5 yards wide, it has 46 piers underneath and 500 carved stone railings and 28 stone lion statues on bridge surface. There are 7 pavilions and 9 towers dotted and statues of warriors guarded at the entrances of the bridge. Its majestic-looking structure is very delicate in details.
Besides its long history, the bridge is an outstanding achievement of our ancestors. As early as 1,000 years ago in Song Dynasty, the ancient Chinese had mastered the world most advanced bridge building technology. Many creative techniques were used in its construction. In building the bridge, the 'raft type foundation' and 'Oyster consolidation' methods were first introduced in the world history of bridge building, which is a scientific contribution indeed. To combine piers firmly with its base, many oysters were cultivated to produce adhering substance to hold them together, making use of creature's fast growth and strong adherence. It is the first recorded example of implementing biological technique in building bridge in the world history. Mao Yisheng, the master architect, once called it the best bridge in Fujian Province.
It was Cai Xiang, the governor of Quanzhou, who hosted the construction of Luoyang Bridge. As a renowned calligrapher in Song Dynasty, Mr. Cai is still regarded very high in the art field of Chinese calligraphy with many of his works collected by famous museums. Though better known for his artistic achievement, he in fact made equal contribution in the construction of Luoyang Bridge. Today, his statue is standing at the bridge entrance for visitors to be in memory of him.
Entrance Fee: CNY 5
Opening Hours: 08:00 - 17:30
Transportation:
A. Take Bus No. 13 and get off at Luoyang stop;
B. Take Bus No. 19 and get off at Qiaonan (South end of Luoyang Bridge).
More Tourist Attraction in Quanzhou: Qingjing Mosque
