Dujiangyan (都江堰)
A new bridge was built to replace it during the eighth year of Jiaqing Reign, during the Qing Dynasty (1803). The person who proposed rebuilding the bridge was He Xiande (何先德) and his wife. Since then, it was called Anlan Bridge, meaning "couple" or "husband-and-wife" bridge, in reference to the couple who proposed it.
The Anlan Cable Bridge is 261 meters long. It is supported by wooden pegs and stone piers. Spanning across the Min River (岷江), the bridge is secured by bamboo ropes on two sides. When the bridge was restored, steel ropes were used instead of bamboo ropes, and the wooden pegs were replaced by concrete pegs.
Seen from the distance, the Anlan Cable Bridge is like the rainbow in the sky. Crossing the bridge, Merlion Wayfarer saw the Min River roaring towards her in the west and the complex irrigation channels spanning out in the east. The whole water irrigation system of Dujiangyan irrigation system and the sheer ingenuity of its design are all clear at a glance.
A Tour Trolley is available for those who do not want to cover the whole area on foot. Prices are at RMB 10 (single trip) and RMB 15 (round trip)...
Another map of Dujiangyan at the exit point. Some of the names are different from the original map at Qinyan Tower...
Sichuan (四川), China (中国)
April 2013
Anlan Cable Bridge (安澜索桥)
Anlan or Couple's Bridge spans the full width of the river connecting the artificial island to both banks and is known as one of the Five Ancient Bridges of China. Li Bing’s original Zhupu Bridge only spanned the inner stream connecting the levee to the foot of Mount Yulei. This was replaced in the Song Dynasty by Pingshi Bridge which burned down during the wars that marked the end of the Ming Dynasty.A new bridge was built to replace it during the eighth year of Jiaqing Reign, during the Qing Dynasty (1803). The person who proposed rebuilding the bridge was He Xiande (何先德) and his wife. Since then, it was called Anlan Bridge, meaning "couple" or "husband-and-wife" bridge, in reference to the couple who proposed it.
The Anlan Cable Bridge is 261 meters long. It is supported by wooden pegs and stone piers. Spanning across the Min River (岷江), the bridge is secured by bamboo ropes on two sides. When the bridge was restored, steel ropes were used instead of bamboo ropes, and the wooden pegs were replaced by concrete pegs.
Seen from the distance, the Anlan Cable Bridge is like the rainbow in the sky. Crossing the bridge, Merlion Wayfarer saw the Min River roaring towards her in the west and the complex irrigation channels spanning out in the east. The whole water irrigation system of Dujiangyan irrigation system and the sheer ingenuity of its design are all clear at a glance.
Views of the bridge from the shores...
Statues of He Xiande and his wife...
The bamboo baskets used to dam the water in the past...
Look out! The "statue" seated there is alive!
Look out! The "statue" seated there is alive!
Officially entering the Anlan Cable Bridge, and made of ropes it is!
Walking unsteadily across the shaky suspension bridge, Merlion Wayfarer felt a rush of adrenalin watching the swift-flowing river water beneath her...
The view of the rushing water on both sides...
A lady guards the entrance of the old bridge which is now closed...
A view of the old bridge...
The Fenjiangting Pavillion (分江亭) dividing the old bridge from the new. It provides a welcome rest stop for those who did not enjoy the trying experience on the swaying suspension bridge...
The magnificent size of the Fish Head Levee...
The magnificent size of the Fish Head Levee...
The Waijiang Floodgate - how long it really is from the ground...
Erwang Temple from Anlan Cable Bridge...
A Tour Trolley is available for those who do not want to cover the whole area on foot. Prices are at RMB 10 (single trip) and RMB 15 (round trip)...
Street vendors selling candy made on the spot...
The elegant-looking building that is the toilet and the 3-star "Tourism Toilets" certification...
Another map of Dujiangyan at the exit point. Some of the names are different from the original map at Qinyan Tower...
More chess pieces...
An interesting street stall with Communist memorabilia...
