The Origin of the Great Han Dynasty: The Legend of Longwu Bridge

According to the Records of the Grand Historian, Liu Bang's mother, Madam Liu, once dreamed of encountering a deity while resting by a large marsh. Thunder and lightning filled the dark sky. When Liu Taigong went to check on her, he saw a dragon. Madam Liu later became pregnant and gave birth to Liu Bang. This legend is specifically linked to Longwu Bridge in Feng County, where it is said that Liu Bang's mother encountered a divine dragon while sheltering from the rain under the bridge, leading to her pregnancy and the birth of Liu Bang. Therefore, this bridge is called Longwu Bridge, and it is associated with a rich history and cultural legends. Longwu Bridge is located on the banks of the Baidi River along Hebin North Road, north of Feng County, Xuzhou City, Jiangsu Province. It is said to be the place where the mother of Han Gaozu Liu Bang conceived after encountering a dragon. The bridge resembles a coiled dragon, often shrouded in mist, with thunder and lightning, as if a dragon truly resides within. Throughout history, Longwu Bridge has been rebuilt many times. Stone inscriptions from the first year of the Jingtai era of the Ming Dynasty and the fifty-ninth year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty detail the bridge's history and legends. Today, the Longwu Bridge Ruins Park still preserves ancient pavilions and stone carvings, allowing visitors to experience this mystical history.