Lying serenely over the river, the Huilong Bridge witnesses the changes of Nanbaixiang.

The Cultural and Tourism Department of Ouhai District revealed new findings during its fourth archaeological survey. Nestled in Xiafang Village of Nanbaixiang Subdistrict, a stone bridge known as the Huilong Bridge was confirmed to have been constructed during the Qing Dynasty(1616-1912), after being concealed by the passage of time.

The Huilong Bridge is a single-span stone slab bridge, with its abutments constructed from neatly arranged stone blocks. Originally, the bridge had six slab covers; however, due to weathering and human damage, villagers have replaced two of them with cement slabs. Measurements indicate that the southern approach of the bridge spans 3.1 meters in length and 4.2 meters in width, while the northern approach measures 3.7 meters long and 1.96 meters wide.

During the recent investigation, the team discovered the inscription “Huilong Bridge” etched in regular script on the southern side of the bridge slab. Despite the ravages of time, the characters remain distinct. The northern side bears an inscription reading, "Rebuilt in the ninth year of the Xianfeng reign of the Qing Dynasty (1859) by Ye Yongniang, a local titled gentry of this village, along with his sons and grandsons." This confirms that the bridge was reconstructed in 1859, marking it as a relic from the late Qing Dynasty.

On-site examinations have shown that Huilong Bridge has undergone several repairs, with some components and the foundation being reconstructed by later generations. Although the materials used during these spontaneous repairs were somewhat crude, affecting the local aesthetics, the overall structure retains the typical features of south Zhejiang's ancient stone beam bridges.

Ye Yunwen, a resident of Xiafang Village, told the reporter that the bridge is surrounded by five rivers enveloping an earth mound. The name “Huilong”(Returning Dragon) is derived from the geographical layout of the area, known as “Five Dragons Playing with Pearls.” He noted that naming bridges in ancient times often carried profound wisdom. Ye believes this discovery may offer clues to understanding the relationship between local customs and the natural environment. Archaeological experts have also pointed out that Huilong Bridge serves as a tangible witness to ancient bridge engineering, offering significant research value due to its architectural craftsmanship and historical context.

Currently, Ouhai district is intensifying efforts to investigate and protect newly discovered cultural relics, with plans for scientific restoration and revitalization aimed at restoring Huilong Bridge to its former glory and prolonging its cultural legacy. The district's cultural and tourism department has stated its commitment to collaborating with social forces to enhance the relic protection system, ensuring that Huilong Bridge and other cultural heritage sites become a “angible and palpable spiritual home” for the community.