Why Has Xia Shang Bridge Earned the Reputation of ‘First Bridge in the World’ – And Why It’s Largely Unknown Outside of?
Xia Shang Bridge is located in Shangqiao Village, Yingzhou Town, Lin Ying County, City, 12 kilometers from the city center. It is a national AAAA-level tourist scenic area and a national key cultural relic protection unit. It was once the main battlefield where the Southern Song Dynasty general Yue Fei led his troops to fight against the Jin Dynasty and achieved the Great Victory of Jicheng.
It is rumored that Xia Shang Bridge got its name because of the ancient activities of the Shang King. However, according to the Records of the Country, Xia Shang Bridge was built during the Sui Dynasty in the fourth year of Emperor Kaifeng (584 AD). It has been renovated during the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The existing bridge structure belongs to the style of the Northern Song Dynasty.
In June 1982, Professor Li Yinglin from the Natural Science History Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences discovered the existing clue of Xia Shang Bridge from an article introducing the tomb of General Yang Zai Xing of the Song Dynasty. The news reached Mr. Mao Yisheng, who immediately attached great importance to it. Mr. Mao Yisheng dispatched Yuan Dexi, Hu Dada, and Li Yinglin, three experts, to conduct fieldwork in Lin Ying. After the investigation, the three experts submitted a report: Xia Shang Bridge is a Sui Dynasty stone arch bridge, dating back to earlier than the Zhao Zhou Bridge in Hebei Province!
Thus, Xia Shang Bridge gained the reputation of 'the first bridge in the world.' However, this 'first bridge in the world' was only known locally in. It was not prominently known online. When searching for 'Chinese Ancient Bridges' on Baidu, there was no information about Xia Shang Bridge. Outside visitors and netizens did not even know about Xia Shang Bridge. Moreover, even the China Ancient Bridges Research and Protection Academic Symposium has never been held at Xia Shang Bridge.
So what caused this situation? Is it that we have not done a good job of promoting's historical and cultural scenic attractions, so that Xia Shang Bridge's 'first bridge in the world' reputation has not spread beyond? Do you have any good suggestions for promoting's famous scenic spots? Please leave a comment.
