SCMP said that the oldest bridge across the Yangtze River - the longest river in China with the Three Gorges Dam blocking the water surface - is a controversial title, mainly due to negligence in dichition.
In 1954, China inaugurated a parallel railway and road route of about 2,000 km in Wukong, Hubei Province, stating that this was "the first bridge across the Yangtze River". However, in Chinese, "first" means "number 1" not "first ever". And that title actually belongs to the bridge built by Jiang Zonghan nearly 70 years ago.
According to the book "Draft History of Qing" compiled from official data in the 1920s, the bridge was named Kim Long Kieu or Golden Dragon Bridge, showing the huge cost of investment and construction.
According to SCMP, the bridge has 16 heavy iron chains, lined with wooden planks across the 90m wide river section of the Yangtze River. The bridge piers at both ends have roofs and a wooden nameplate engraved with the words: "Kim Long Bridge". In addition, there is also a photo of Mr. Jiang Zonghan, along with a memorial stele with the words: "The contributions of generals are as high as the Sun and Moon".
Currently, the first bridge built across the Yangtze River is no longer well-known. However, in the 19th century, this bridge was located on the tea transport route in Yunnan.
Kim Long Bridge has significantly improved access along an important route for travel groups from Lijiang to Kunming and Sichuan.
According to official stories, Jiang Zonghan built a bridge to show his filial piety. Peking Gazette newspaper on August 4, 1809 reported that, fulfilling his parents' wish, General Jiang Zonghan in Guizhou built a suspension bridge across the Yangtze River in Hac Khanh, Yunnan, his hometown. Jiang Zonghan also dedicated a piece of land from which his annual income is used to maintain the bridge, with a total contribution of up to 14,000 taels of gold.
Meanwhile, "Draft History of Qing" has another story. When he was a soldier, Jiang Zonghan was pushed by the enemy to the bank of the Yangtze River and vowed to build a bridge here if he were alive.
Chinese researcher Yang Kai also has another version of Jiang Zonghan building a bridge across the Yangtze River: After the boat driver refused to carry him across the river, Jiang Zonghan vowed to build a bridge here so that the boat driver and his future descendant could lose their jobs.
The first bridge builder across the Yangtze River, Jiang Zonghan, passed away from illness in 1903, at the age of about 65. The royal family donated 250 silver gangs to pay for funerals, and added 350 silver gangs to engrave a memorial stele and confer on Jiang Zonghan's son the title of military officer.
