Baifeng Bridge, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Nine Phoenixes
★Tourist spot: Taizhou, Baifeng Bridge
After leaving Taizhou Old Street, there was still some time before the gathering time. Thinking of taking a walk nearby, I walked along Fengcheng River and unexpectedly saw the Baifeng Bridge that we had just passed by on the boat.
Baifeng Bridge is located at the confluence of Fengcheng River and Phoenix River. It is a three-arched bridge, the main scenic spot of the 'Baifeng Qingyun' water landscape area. It turned out that we had inadvertently stepped into the scenic area.
The bridge is made of granite, decorated with relief block stones. It is light ochre in color, using Suzhou Jinshan stone material, totaling 8,576 blocks, weighing over 670 tons. Since it is called 'Hundred Phoenixes', it naturally has phoenix carvings. On the railings, end pieces, handrails, cushions, columns and column heads of the bridge deck, platforms... almost everywhere is decorated with phoenix patterns. But judging by the density, even a rough count would exceed one hundred. Checking the data, it is said that Baifeng Bridge has 998 phoenix decorative patterns, and some say 999. It seems that the people of Taizhou are too modest; rounding up, it could well be called 'Thousand Phoenix Bridge'! According to Chinese conventional thinking, so many phoenixes should have been named 'Qianfeng Bridge' (Thousand Phoenix Bridge). Perhaps the name 'Hundred Phoenixes' has a tragic or romantic legend? However, when I asked the guide on the way back, she only said it was a local name. She didn't know any legend, and the bridge was newly built. It is said that originally this bridge was on Koutai Road, so it was casually called Koutai Road Bridge. Later, Koutai Road was rerouted, and this area was planned as the city's 'green lung', becoming a landscape area. This bridge also logically changed its functional positioning to be mainly scenic.
At the bridgehead there is a stele inscribed with the name 'Baifeng Bridge', and below it is a rhapsody: 'The land of Tai, bordering the Huai River and the Yangtze. There was an old city moat, a newly opened Phoenix. In the Renwu year the waterway was connected, harmony between ancient and present. In the Guiwei year the bridge was built, finely carved. The bridge spans three arches, double waters rippling. Nine (a multitude) of phoenixes, gracefully descending from heaven, their feathers fluttering, towards the morning sun. The Phoenix Pool is not deep, the Tai River flows long, nourishing every drop, producing talents generation after generation. "The phoenix is a divine bird, indeed the crown of the flock. With wings attached it comes to appear, responding to our sage sovereign." Splendid China, surging waves, great is the Yu wind (the legacy of Yu the Great), the people are prosperous and the country is strong.'
Although Baifeng Bridge does not have an ancient legend, the name 'Hundred Phoenixes' embodies the Taizhou people's wish for a better life, meaning 'The phoenix perches on this bridge and does not move away (qian, meaning to move), leaving auspiciousness forever in Tai.' Therefore, the phoenixes were carved to the ultimate number of one hundred, but just one short of a thousand. In the original design, there was also a phoenix shape on the bridge deck, but it was not carved later. In a few years, perhaps these nine hundred and ninety-nine phoenixes will also have a version of a legend.
Climbing up Baifeng Bridge, right opposite is Wanghai Tower (Sea-Viewing Tower). From this angle, under a clear and sunny sky, Wanghai Tower appears more dignified and beautiful against the background of the surrounding green trees and the Fengcheng River in front.
Crossing the bridge, there is a water stage. By the riverbank, there is a long bridge paved with stone blocks, which looks quite old. I don't know if this bridge existed originally or was later paved with old stones. I walked from one end to the other but did not find its name. Standing on this bridge, you can see the Wenfeng Pagoda in the distance.
This section of the river has small fountains. On the opposite bank, there is a 'Fengcheng River Cup China Night Fishing City Friendship Competition'. So it turns out to be a venue for night fishing, which suggests the night view here should be quite beautiful.
In the river there is a stone that looks somewhat like a yuan (a mythical turtle) or a turtle. Its head stretches out long, as if it is eagerly looking forward to something, or as if it is swimming vigorously to get somewhere.
A Thalia dealbata plant might also be captivated by the beautiful human world; it quietly bent its stem, and the entire inflorescence reached over the boardwalk.
Walking all the way along the river, although it seemed not yet fully completed, the scenery was already quite nice. Unfortunately, the gathering time was approaching, so I had to quicken my pace and head back.
