| Fangsheng Bridge | |
| Native Name Lang: | zh-Hans |
| Other Name: | Fangsheng Bridge |
| Also Known As: | Free Live Bridge |
| Crosses: | Cao Port |
| Locale: | Zhujiajiao, Qingpu District, Shanghai |
| Design: | Arch Bridge |
| Material: | Stone |
| Builder: | Xingchao |
| Begin: | 1571 |
| Complete: | 1812 (reconstruction) |
| Open: | 1571 |
| Coordinates: | 31.1134°N 121.0516°W |
Fangsheng Bridge[1] [2] [3] is a historic stone arch bridge over the Cao Port in Zhujiajiao, Qingpu, Shanghai.[4]
The bridge was originally built in 1571 with funds collected by monk Xingchao from Cimen Temple . In the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368 - 1911), local monks would hold a ceremony on the bridge, releasing live fish into the port. It had been on the list of "The Ten Views of Zhujiajiao". It was rebuilt in 1812, in the ruling of Jiaqing Emperor (1796 - 1820) of the Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911).
On November 17, 1987, it has been designated as a municipal level cultural heritage by the Shanghai Municipal Government.
70.8m (232.3feet) long and 5.8m (19feet) wide, it is the largest stone bridge in Shanghai. It is of five-arch type. The bridge has a gentle slope as it adopts ultra-thin piers and arches with modest size changes, making it span naturally across the river.