Fangsheng Bridge is a landmark scenic spot in Zhujiajiao Ancient Town. It spans the Caogang River and connects the north and south parts of the Zhujiajiao scenic area. Fangsheng Bridge is a five-arched stone arch bridge with long length, large size and high height in Shanghai area. Standing on the top of the high arch of the bridge and looking around, you can enjoy a large number of houses with white walls and black tiles and wooden boats coming and going under the bridge. The whole view of the ancient town is in full view, which is a place for taking pictures. At sunset, enjoying the sunset on the bridge or taking pictures of Fangsheng Bridge under the sunset by the river is very artistic. As the name suggests, Fangsheng Bridge encourages people to do good deeds and accumulate virtues. This bridge was built in the fifth year of Longqing in the Ming Dynasty (1571). Monk Xingchao of Cimen Temple donated his savings accumulated from fifteen years of begging for alms to build this stone arch bridge. And on the first and fifteenth day of each lunar month, monks and pilgrims will be organized to hold a’releasing aquatic animals’ conference under the bridge. This custom has been passed down to this day. However, nowadays there are often vendors selling small fish or turtles at the bridgehead for tourists to ‘experience’ releasing, which seems very commercial. The Fangsheng Bridge we see now was rebuilt in the seventeenth year of Jiaqing in the Qing Dynasty (1812). The whole stone bridge is magnificent. There are dragon-gate stones on the bridge with eight coiled dragons engraved on them, which are vivid. There are four welcoming stone lions on the top of the bridge with their heads up and mouths open, which are very cute. There are bamboo-joint balusters in the middle, and carved stone slabs are inlaid in the center of the bridge deck. There is a stele pavilion on the east side of the bridge. When you are tired from walking, you can take a rest here. There are stone revetments built by the water for mooring boats. Opening hours: open all day throughout the year.
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