The Zhaozhou Bridge, which spans time, not only carries history, but also breeds legends. Every Spring Festival, this ancient bridge of the Sui Dynasty is transformed into a treasure hunt for dragons, attracting thousands of tourists.
Zhaozhou Bridge, also known as Anji Bridge, is affectionately called "Big Stone Bridge" by the local people. As one of the oldest single-hole stone arch bridges in the world, it is known for its huge span and unique arc open shoulder design, and has won the reputation of "the world's first bridge". Located in Zhao County, Hebei Province, this 1,400-year-old bridge is listed as a national key cultural relics protection unit since 1961, along with many national treasures such as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall.
In Chinese primary school Chinese textbooks, an article titled "Zhaozhou Bridge" depicts the dragon carvings on this ancient bridge vividly. Such written records have made Zhaozhou Bridge a cultural symbol, especially during the Spring Festival holiday, and has become a paradise for countless tourists, especially students. The Spring Festival holiday in 2024 is a case in point, when the average daily visitor volume of the Zhaozhou Bridge scenic spot soared to 40,000. Among them, the students of Zhao County Workers' Children's School also embarked on a historical journey to find the traces of the dragon under the guidance of the teacher, holding textbooks, and they walked together on the bridge, as if they were chasing the story of thousands of years ago.
Zhaozhou Bridge is not only a bridge, it is a witness of Chinese culture, a place where history and modernity meet, and a living textbook, so that everyone who sets foot on it can feel the charm and story of the long years.