Cháozhōu

Haiyang is the old county surrounding Chaozhou, on the Han River in eastern Guangdong. Outside the city, Guangji Bridge crosses the broad river with an ingenious combination of stone piers and a floating section that can be opened for boats. Work began in 1171 with a bridge of boats, and successive officials added stone piers and spans. In 1435 the Ming prefect Wang Yuan oversaw a major rebuilding, adding pavilions and covered structures. The bridge connected the city to the eastern bank while allowing vessels to pass along the river.