A thousand-year-old cross-sea bridge made of fresh oysters - Luoyang Bridge in Quanzhou, Fujian

🌀 Built in the Northern Song Dynasty, Luoyang Bridge has survived through the Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing, and Republic of China periods, spanning nearly a thousand years. It is the oldest existing cross-sea beam stone bridge in the world. Although it has been repaired in various dynasties, more than 60% of the key structure is still preserved and is still in use today. ‼️ The last repair was in 1939, during the Republic of China period. General Cai Tingkai, commander of the 19th Route Army of the National Revolutionary Army, led the 19th Route Army to improve local traffic conditions for the strategic and transportation needs of the War of Resistance Against Japan. During the repair, they laid steel bars and poured concrete on the original stone bridge, raising the bridge deck by 2 meters and increasing the width to 6 meters, with a total of 47 holes. 【With three questions in mind, let's start today's journey】 ⭕️ Why is a bridge in Quanzhou, Fujian Province, called "Luoyang Bridge"? Is there any connection with Luoyang in Henan Province? ⭕️ Although it was built on a river, why is it considered a cross-sea bridge? ⭕️ Can two people in love really be together for a lifetime if they walk across the entire Luoyang Bridge together? 【Things to know before you go】 ✅ Luoyang Bridge, originally named Wan'an Bridge. Main builder: Cai Xiang. ✅ Construction time: Construction began in the fifth year of the Huangyou period of the Northern Song Dynasty (1053) and was completed in the fourth year of the Jiayou period (1059). ✅ Historical status: It is one of the "Four Famous Ancient Bridges in China" along with Zhaozhou Bridge in Hebei Province, Lugou Bridge in Beijing, and Guangji Bridge in Chaozhou. ❤️ Bridge construction feature: Oyster planting and foundation stabilization method. Oysters have a strong adhesion ability and secrete a special substance during their growth that can bond surrounding stones, gravel, and other materials together, forming a substance similar to "biological concrete," which increases the bearing capacity of the foundation and reduces the risk of erosion. At the same time, oysters reproduce quickly and can reproduce in large numbers in a short period of time, bonding the bridge foundation and piers into a whole. 👏👏👏 I am truly impressed by the architectural wisdom of the ancients! 🌀 Luoyang Bridge [Decryption and Introduction] ①🔸 The mystery of the name: Why is there a "Luoyang Bridge" in Quanzhou❓ When you first hear "Luoyang Bridge," you may be puzzled. Luoyang in Henan and Quanzhou in Fujian are thousands of miles apart, so where does this name come from? It is said that at the end of the Western Jin Dynasty, the Central Plains were in turmoil, and a large number of aristocratic families migrated south to avoid the war. When they arrived at the riverbank in Quanzhou, the mountains and rivers in front of them were somewhat similar to their hometown of Luoyang. To relieve their homesickness, they named the river Luoyang River, and the bridge over the river became "Luoyang Bridge." ②🔸 A river and a bridge's name can be changed at will❓ But behind this naming is not a simple act of the common people. At that time, many of the aristocratic families who migrated south were from prominent families and had considerable prestige and influence in the local area. They had certain political and economic power and had the right to name places. Moreover, these aristocratic families inherited the culture of the Central Plains, and naming it "Luoyang" was also a way to uphold and pass on their hometown culture. ③🔸 Why is a bridge across a river called a cross-sea bridge❓ Luoyang River is the mother river of Quanzhou, and its estuary is located in Quanzhou Bay, which is part of the Taiwan Strait. From a macro-geographical perspective, the estuary area of Luoyang River that Luoyang Bridge crosses is essentially connected to the sea and can be seen as an extension of the sea, so Luoyang Bridge is considered a cross-sea bridge. Moreover, the estuary of Luoyang River is affected by factors such as tidal fluctuations, complex water flow, and poor geological conditions, making bridge construction as difficult as building a bridge at sea. For example, the rapid and changing water flow here poses a great challenge to the stability of the bridge foundation, similar to the difficulties faced in building a bridge at sea. 🌀【Bridge Introduction】 - North of the bridge: Luoyang Bridge starts from Caixiang Road in the north, with the Zhaohui Temple dedicated to the sea god Tongyuan King, preserving many stone pagodas and four stone generals from the 11th century who were erected to protect the bridge. The boundary stone on the roadside is marked with the word "Huian." - South of the bridge: There is a Caixiang Temple in the south of the bridge, with the famous Song Dynasty stele of Cai Xiang's "Wan'an Bridge Record" inside. On the east side of the bridgehead is the Five-Wheel Pagoda, which presents the elegant charm of Song Dynasty stone carvings. ‼️ Key explanation: During the large-scale protective restoration of the new China from 1993 to 1996, the principle of restoring the old as it was was followed, and Luoyang Bridge was restored to its original appearance. The practical expansion of the Republic of China period in 1932 was removed, and the original large stone blocks and other ancient bridge styles were restored. However, the added stone blocks are modern items. Because the restored bridge is narrow, it is only used as a pedestrian passage and for tourist experience. 🍀【Luoyang Bridge】Related Legends: 1. It is said that when the bridge was built, it was assisted by gods. First, there was "the Dragon Palace delivering the list, seeking help from the sea god," then "Lü Dongbin waving his whisk to help the stones," and finally "the three one-eyed immortals" helping to find fir wood. 2. It is said that couples who walk hand in hand across the entire Luoyang Bridge will grow old together. The Luoyang Bridge, protected by gods, has stood for thousands of years, like the steadfastness of love. Couples stroll on the bridge, praying for a lifetime of companionship and fulfillment.