At Yangchow, on the Yangtze River, there is a remarkable pavilion
bridge. The heaviest part of the stone bridge is in the middle of
the stream, which is let through the masonry in a number of half and
full arch tunnels. Over these tunnels rises the heavy masonry pile,
topped with an artistic balustrade. On this is a superstructure of
five beautiful pavilions, with prominent up-curling eaves. The bridge
descends on each side to the banks along a sloping abutment. It is an
exceptional structure even for varied China, both from an artistic and
engineering standpoint. The ancient Liu Ko stone bridge over the Hun
River north of Peking is famous for its lion-pier terminals, its carved
stone balustrade which is in the ornate style. After leaving Szechuen
province, on the road into Yunnan, over the Niu Lan River, at Kiang Ti,
is a noted suspension bridge, hung between two heavy piers in a gorge,
the piers being surmounted with curve-roofed pavilions. The carvings of
monkeys, lions, etc., are very fine. The bridge, which is one hundred
and fifty feet by twelve feet, is made of iron chains, pulled very
taut, showing the unusual strength of the anchorage. There is also a
hand chain. The pavilions are, as usual, used as a restaurant and an
inn for travelers.
The two most famous suspension bridges are over the Mekong River in
Yunnan province, between Tali and Yungchang, and over the Salween River
on the main road to Burma. These chain bridges are hung from heavy
piers deep down in the vast gorges, and show that men were mighty
enough in those old days to tackle so mighty a problem. The Ban Chiao
bridge at Yungchang is worthy of the famous engineers of that province.
Strong stone piers are sunk down into the swift stream and anchored to
the high banks. A secure bridge has been laid down over this support.
The abutments are raised and roofed with a glorious double pagoda,
the ridge, curling eaves, flying supports and ornaments all being
splendidly carved. The bridge itself is protected with a balustrade,
and is roofed with tiles throughout. It is both an artistic and a
substantial structure. So much for the beautiful bridges of the old
régime, nearly all it will be noted in the native Chinese section of
the country. Herr Dorpmuller and other German engineers are teaching
the Chinese the revival of stone bridges by the massive structures
which they have erected on the line of the Tientsin-Pukow railway.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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