53 Anji Bridge Facts: Discover The World's Oldest Open Spandrel Bridge

Anusuya Mukherjee
Oct 23, 2023 By Anusuya Mukherjee
Originally Published on Feb 17, 2022
Check out these awesome Anji Bridge facts about the bridge southeast of Shijiazhuang city.

The Anji Bridge is the world's oldest open-spandrel bridge.

It was built in ancient China in 605 AD and is located in Hebei Province. The Anji Bridge is southeast of Shijiazhuang city.

The Anji Bridge arch length has a span of 121 ft (37 m) and a length of 164 ft (50 m). Additionally, it has a series of towers that protect from weather and traffic. It was built during the Sui Dynasty and was rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty.

History Of Anji Bridge

The Anji Bridge construction was done by Li-Chun, also known as King Xuan of Tang (Sui dynasty).

  • The bridge was completed in 605 AD and is the world's oldest open-spandrel stone bridge.
  • The Qing dynasty was established in 1644. In the Qing dynasty, the Anji Bridge was used by pedestrians and carriages.
  • The Anji stone bridge was built in the years 595-605 AD.
  • The Anji Bridge is a spandrel arch bridge, meaning it is a type of bridge that is built using two spans that are connected by a hinge.
  • It is built of stone designed with the help of a mathematician and built without using any glue or mortar.
  • To visit the Anji stone arch bridge, you will need to be in Heilongjiang, China. The bridge is open from 9 am-6 pm, and it takes about an hour to walk from the train station to the bridge. Several buses run between the train station and the bridge.
  • The Anji safe crossing bridge is essential because it crosses the Anji River. This makes it necessary for the transport of goods and people. Additionally, the bridge is wide enough so that cars can drive through it without getting stuck. It is also has a long enough span so that two boats can pass at the same time.
  • Zhaozhou Bridge is another name for the Anji Bridge, and it is a toll bridge in the city of Zhuzhou (Zhao county), Henan, China. It is the oldest and largest open-spandrel stone bridge in the world.
  • The current Zhaozhou is a much broader and longer bridge that spans over the Wei River.
  • The Sony dynasty is one of the most critical periods in Chinese history. It began in the late 12th century and ended with the Tang dynasty in 619 AD. During this time, China was ruled by a series of emperors.

Importance Of The Anji Bridge

The windsurfing conditions on the bridge are excellent, and people can enjoy windsurfing there without any trouble.

  • The Zhaozhou Bridge is also a popular spot for windsurfing.
  • The Zhaozhou Bridge is the oldest standing bridge is a popular tourist destination in Shanghai and one of the most photographed bridges in Shanghai.
  • Zhaozhou Bridge Park is one of the most popular places in Shanghai for visiting. It's home to a range of attractions, such as a zoo, a water park, and a conference center. There are also several restaurants and cafes that you can visit while there. The park is also a great place to take your dog or cat.
  • The curved limestone slabs that make up the bridge are unique features that give it its impressive appearance. The slabs are also used as part of the bridge's superstructure, which helps to support the structure.
  • The Xiao River is one of the most important rivers in China. It forms the border between Shanxi and Hebei provinces, and it's also one of the most important rivers in Shanghai. The Xiao River is also a water source for many of Shanghai's suburbs.
  • The Zhaozhou Bridge in Hebei Province has a series of arches supporting the central span, and it features a beautiful artistic style. The bridge is perfectly constructed, and it's a favorite spot for photographers.

Architecture Of Anji Bridge

Zhaozhou arch bridge was among the first batch of Chinese heritage sites listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

  • Zhaozhou bridge is also called the 'bridge of ten thousand steps.'
  • It was built of large sandstone blocks, but they are irregular in size; some are no more than one foot square in dimension.
  • Zhaozhou is also one of the first large stone bridges; before this time, most bridges were built of wood.
  • This type of construction is termed Cyclopean and is used in the most ancient structures in Western Europe.
  • This arch bridge crosses the Xiaohe River in Zhaozhou (Chaozhou), about 236 mi (380 km) east of Beijing.
  • It is the oldest stone arch bridge in China and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1998.
  • This bridge has one of the oldest existing depictions of the famous Buddhist monk, Bodhidharma.
  • The bridge is also known as the 'Old Dragon Bridge', as a dragon-shaped cloud is said to have been seen above it.
  • It was also known as the 'Guanyuan Bridge' during the Tang dynasty.

Facts About Anji Bridge

When the metal girder was designed, Chinese engineers used iron dovetails to save time and money.

  • The iron dovetails were a type of fasteners used to join two pieces of metal together.
  • Zhaozhou Bridge is a unique bridge across the Yangtze River. It is made of wood and consists of only one arch.
  • Zhao County is one of the most critical counties in China. It's home to a large number of businesses and factories.
  • Zhaozhou Bridge is one of the most recognizable and well-known bridges in China, often referred to as the 'most beautiful bridge in Chinese' or the 'bridge with thousand curves'.
  • This stone bridge is a popular tourist attraction and landmark. Its unique design includes seven different spans, the main span consisting of a 'springing arch' with a double-curved bridge deck. It is considered the pinnacle of Ancient Chinese bridge architecture.
  • The arch stone bridge was completed after Zhaozhou held an umbrella over the construction and asked people to walk across the bridge to test its strength.
  • During construction, approximately 3,200 granite stone blocks were used to build the bridge.

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Written by Anusuya Mukherjee

Bachelor of Arts and Law specializing in Political Science and Intellectual Property Rights

Anusuya Mukherjee picture

Anusuya MukherjeeBachelor of Arts and Law specializing in Political Science and Intellectual Property Rights

With a wealth of international experience spanning Europe, Africa, North America, and the Middle East, Anusuya brings a unique perspective to her work as a Content Assistant and Content Updating Coordinator. She holds a law degree from India and has practiced law in India and Kuwait. Anusuya is a fan of rap music and enjoys a good cup of coffee in her free time. Currently, she is working on her novel, "Mr. Ivory Merchant".

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