Fangsheng Bridge 放生桥 | |
|---|---|
 Free Life Bridge in October 2011. | |
| Coordinates | 31°06′48.38″N121°03′05.86″E / 31.1134389°N 121.0516278°E /31.1134389; 121.0516278 |
| Crosses | Cao Port (漕港) |
| Locale | Zhujiajiao,Qingpu,Shanghai,China |
| Other name | Fangsheng Bridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Arch Bridge |
| Material | Stone |
| Total length | 70.8 metres (232 ft) |
| Width | 5.8 metres (19 ft) |
| Height | 7.4 metres (24 ft) |
| History | |
| Constructed by | Xingchao (性潮) |
| Construction start | 1571 |
| Construction end | 1812 (reconstruction) |
| Opened | 1571 |
| Location | |
 Interactive map of Fangsheng Bridge | |
Fangsheng Bridge[1][2][3] (Chinese:放生桥;pinyin:Fàngshēng Qiáo) is a historic stonearch bridge over the Cao Port inZhujiajiao,Qingpu, Shanghai,China.[4]
The bridge was originally built in 1571 with funds collected by monk Xingchao (Chinese:性潮) from Cimen Temple (Chinese:慈门寺). In theMing and Qing dynasties (1368–1911), local monks would hold a ceremony on the bridge, releasing live fish into the port. It had been on the list of "The Ten Views of Zhujiajiao". It was rebuilt in 1812, in the ruling ofJiaqing Emperor (1796–1820) of theQing dynasty (1644–1911).[5]
On November 17, 1987, it has been designated as a municipal level cultural heritage by theShanghai Municipal Government.
70.8-metre (232 ft) long and 5.8-metre (19 ft) wide, it is the largest stone bridge in Shanghai. It is of five-arch type. The bridge has a gentle slope as it adopts ultra-thin piers and arches with modest size changes, making it span naturally across the river.[5]
