Xiangyang Daily (Zhang Xuefei and Liu Zihang, the All-media Journalists, and Peng Degen and Zou Yajuan, the Correspondents) Recently, the Hubei Provincial People’s Government officially announced the ninth batch of Hubei Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units. The North Bridge of Guyi Town (also known as Tongji Bridge) in Xiangzhou District, Xiangyang, Hubei Province, was successfully included. This ancient bridge, emblematic of the traditional adage that “in southern regions water transport by boat predominates, while in northern regions land transport by horse prevails,” now attains formal recognition as a provincial-level protected cultural relic. It marks a significant milestone and adds a vibrant new chapter to the rich historical and cultural heritage of Xiangzhou District.

The North Bridge of Guyi Town is situated along the historic Jingzhou-Xiangyang Ancient Road in Lvzhen Village, Guyi Town, Xiangzhou District. Aligned in a north–south direction, the bridge spans a tributary of the river and port. Owing to its strategic geographical location, it has served since ancient times as a vital node on the post road “connecting the Ba–Shu region in the south with the imperial capital in the north.” It stands as a significant physical testament to the transportation model that “in southern regions water transport by boat predominates, while in northern regions land transport by horse prevails” along the Hanshui River segment of the Tea Road of Ten Thousand Miles. Over the centuries, the bridge has gradually deteriorated, suffering from issues such as fractured deck stone slabs and missing railings. Notably, flooding in 2024 caused severe damage to the guardrails on both sides, compromising not only the bridge’s historical integrity but also posing safety risks for pedestrians.

To safeguard this invaluable historical heritage, the Party committee and government of Guyi Town actively secured funding from multiple sources and initiated a comprehensive restoration project for this ancient bridge. During construction, workers strictly adhered to cultural relic protection standards, replacing damaged stone slabs on the bridge deck, precisely restoring missing railing components, and reinforcing the bridge foundation and embankment slopes. As a result, this millennia-old bridge has been rejuvenated, successfully preserving its dual role in transportation and cultural heritage. (see the photo).