One of the Four Great Ancient Bridges of China | Luoyang Bridge (3012)

| Luoyang Bridge (3012). The Luoyang Bridge in Quanzhou, originally known as Wan'an Bridge, is the oldest extant cross-sea beam-type stone bridge in China. Along with Lugou Bridge, Zhaozhou Bridge, and Guangji Bridge, it is known as one of the "Four Great Ancient Bridges of China" and has long been praised as the "First Bridge Under Heaven." Its construction techniques and historical value hold landmark significance in the history of Chinese bridges and maritime trade. During the Northern Song Dynasty, Quanzhou developed into the largest port in the East. However, the estuary of the Luoyang River was treacherous, and the existing ferry crossing, "Wan'an Ferry," frequently experienced shipwrecks due to strong winds and waves. To address this transportation bottleneck, numerous attempts to build a bridge were made, but all proved unsuccessful. During the Qingli period of Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty (1041-1048), a local named Li Chong built a pontoon bridge, but it was repeatedly destroyed. In the fifth year of Huangyou in the Northern Song Dynasty (1053), the monk Zongshan and a local named Lu Xi proposed the construction of a bridge. Cai Xiang, the prefect of Quanzhou, took charge of the project, which lasted six years and eight months, and was completed in the fourth year of Jiayou (1059). The bridge is located at the confluence of the river and the sea, where the water is deep and the currents are strong. During construction, three innovative techniques were pioneered: "raft-type foundations," "oyster-based reinforcement," and "floatation-assisted beam placement." These techniques overcame challenges such as stabilizing the bridge foundations and withstanding tides. Originally 1,200 meters long, the existing bridge is 834 meters long and 7 meters wide. It is built of granite, with 46 boat-shaped piers dividing the water and resisting tides, and 47 bridge spans connecting the river and the sea. The pointed, wedge-shaped boat piers reduce the impact of water flow, while the raft-type foundations, using underwater stone dikes, enhance the stability of the foundation, predating similar Western technologies by more than 800 years. Oysters were used to bind the bridge foundation and pier stones together, creating a unique bio-reinforced structure and pioneering the application of biology in engineering. Taking advantage of the tides, stone beams weighing up to 15 tons were transported to the piers on wooden rafts, achieving precise installation without lifting equipment. The Luoyang Bridge connected Quanzhou with Fuzhou and the inland areas of Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, becoming a key node for sea-land transportation during the Song and Yuan dynasties. It contributed to the prosperity of Quanzhou Port and laid the transportation foundation for its status as a "world maritime trade center." The Luoyang Bridge is not only a symbol of ancient Chinese engineering ingenuity but also an epitome of Quanzhou's sea-oriented, open, and inclusive spirit. It continues to carry the profound memories of a thousand years of history and culture.