The green hills are silent, but the stone bridges leave traces. In the mountains and fields of Nanhua County, Yunnan Province, Lingguan Bridge, which was built in the Ming Dynasty, has stood quietly for hundreds of years. This three-hole stone arch bridge is not only a precious relic of the Southern Silk Road, but also a core red relic of the Second Red Army’s Long March through South China in 1936. On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Long March, the Yundian Bridge Protection Team of Southeast University went to Nanhua County to participate in the “Youth Chapter·New Mountains and Rivers on the Long March” college students’ ideological and political practice activities. Using Lingguan Bridge as a carrier, they traced the origins of the Long March years and used professional power to protect the red heritage.
“As early as 1936, the Second Red Army Corps passed through Nanhua on its long march. The marching route must pass through Lingguan Bridge. The troops briefly rested in the village next to the bridge. When the Red Army camped at Lingguan Bridge, they would never enter homes to disturb the people. The firewood and farm tools will be compensated at the price. ” Duan Xingsheng, a staff member of the Nanhua County Chronicle Office, opened the book “The Second Red Army’s Long March Through Zhennan”. The hand-drawn marching route between the pages clearly recorded that eventful period.
“The Long March of the Red Army through Nanhua was a landmark event in the modern history of Nanhua. It is the root and core content of Nanhua County’s red culture. Lingguan Bridge has also become a local iconic red landmark. For a long time, the Red Army’s strict discipline and love for the people have profoundly affected the local folk customs, and the local customs of mutual assistance, simplicity and patriotism have continued to this day.” Duan Xingsheng introduced.
Today, Lingguan Bridge has been listed as the seventh batch of provincial cultural protection units in Yunnan Province. Lu Zhigang, director of the Nanhua County Cultural Relics Institute, said that in 2022, local rivers will be cleaned, willow trees will be planted, and the ancient scene of “Pingqiao Smoked Willow” will be restored. Nowadays, the local government is planning to build a red tourist ring linking Shaqiao Red Army Memorial Hall, the Burma Highway and other points.
On the stone steps beside the bridge, Luo Haizhen, a teacher at the Party School of Nanhua County Party Committee, shared with the team members that the Red Army stayed at his grandfather’s house. The excellent style of the Red Army left a deep impression on his grandfather, which influenced his subsequent involvement in the revolutionary cause.
Ancient bridges carry memories, and youth empowers new life. During this practice, the team completed the complete ontology surveying and mapping of Lingguan Bridge, carried out structural finite element analysis and oblique photographic modeling, compiled a protective repair plan and landscape improvement design, and carried out a public science popularization lecture on “Red Ancient Bridge + Architectural Heritage” for local primary and secondary school students.
Zhang Yuhan, a member of the practice group, said: “This time we came to Nanhua with our professional capabilities in architecture and design. We hope to use the creativity and technology of young people to help this red ancient bridge break the geographical restrictions and let more people see it and understand it. Protecting the red heritage with design and conveying the spirit of the Long March with numbers is how our young students take over the baton.”
Produced by: China Youth Daily·China Youth Network
Producer: Zhang Kun Dong Shi
Director: Jin Rui
Producer: Wang Hai
Coordinator: Wang Cenyu
Planning: Wang Longlong Zhang Shuman Li Huaxi Li Jingyi
Text: Li Jingyi Wang Longlong Liu Wenqi
Photographed by: Zhang Shuman, Nanhua County Media Center
Editing: He Zixuan, Zhang Shuman, Jin Ziran
