Yunnan South - Shuanglong Bridge and Xianghui Bridge Station outside Jianshui Ancient City

Jianshui Ancient City currently operates a sightseeing train from the ancient city to Xianghui Bridge, which has become a popular internet sensation. On the day we arrived, tickets were already sold out. Although it was a pity, as the saying goes, "When God closes a door, He opens a window." Unable to get train tickets, we drove ourselves to Xianghui Bridge Station and were pleasantly surprised along the way. Xianghui Bridge Station was built in 1932, around the same time as Bisezhai, and is an important stop on the Bise Railway line. Like Bisezhai, it exudes a strong French style. It is more vibrant than Bisezhai because the opening of the Jianshui sightseeing train has made it a living train station. Inside the station, there is also a café and restaurant with a strong "Saigon French" atmosphere, very charming. Returning from Xianghui Bridge Station towards Shuanglong Bridge, it was just past dusk. The narrow country road was filled with motorcycles and electric bikes coming back and forth from the fields, carrying freshly harvested fruits and vegetables. Not far from Shuanglong Bridge, at the village entrance, we unexpectedly encountered the "Golden Light Piercing the Hole" phenomenon. The Yongji Bridge, a stone arch bridge built in 1910, was bathed in the golden sunset glow gradually passing through its arch, as if opening a time-travel portal. Previously, I had gone to the Summer Palace on the winter solstice specifically to see the "Golden Light Piercing the Hole" but missed it. Unexpectedly, I encountered it in Jianshui. Afterwards, we hurried to Shuanglong Bridge, where the sunset light passing through the seventeen arches was truly breathtaking! Shuanglong Bridge was originally built during the Qianlong period. It is a large stone arch bridge with two pavilions and seventeen arches, located 5 kilometers west of Jianshui City at the confluence of the Lujiang River and Tacun River. It is named "Shuanglong" (Double Dragon) because the two rivers twist and turn like two dragons. The bridge is 153 meters long and 3 meters wide, constructed entirely from 500 precisely carved stone blocks. At the southern end of the bridge stands an octagonal pavilion with a double-eaved pointed roof, complementing the pavilions on the bridge. Initially, only three arches were built, but due to annual flooding of the Tacun and Lujiang rivers raising the riverbed, the small three-arch bridge was left isolated in the river and could no longer span both banks. Therefore, later generations added 14 more stone arches connected to the original three, and built three flying-style pavilions on the bridge. "The covered bridge hangs the moon into the clouds, the blue stone reflects flowing light and drifting marks." The bridge deck is paved with bluestone slabs, which have become smooth and shiny over time, glowing with a bluish hue in the sunset light. Walking on the bridge, stepping on the threads of time, one can feel the solemnity and beauty that transcend time and space. Shuanglong Bridge is a nationally protected cultural relic, comparable to the Seventeen-Arch Bridge in the Summer Palace. Tips: 1. At least have a cup of coffee or tea inside Xianghui Bridge Station, letting the breeze brush your cheeks as if hearing footsteps coming and going. 2. Between Xianghui Bridge Station and Shuanglong Bridge, choose a village for an in-depth visit to experience the local atmosphere infused with French and Vietnamese styles. 3. Try to visit Shuanglong Bridge at dusk; only those who see it in the sunset glow can truly understand its beauty.