CANTONTRAVEL GUIDE

Historic bridge · Han River

Guangji Bridge

Guangji Bridge links the old city to the east bank through stone piers, pavilions and a movable pontoon. Start by Guangji Gate to see the full bridge, then enter only while visitor crossing is open; the pontoon is not a dependable evening route back to your hotel.

Start with location, transport, tickets and hours—then decide if it fits your plan.

Pavilions and pontoons of Guangji Bridge across the Han River
On-location view
Guangji Bridge crossing the Han River
Guangji Bridge from the Han River bankWindmemories · CC BY-SA 4.0

02 · At a glance

At a glance

  • 01

    Pavilion-lined fixed sections

  • 02

    Movable pontoon section

  • 03

    Guangji Gate and old-city skyline

03 · About this place

About this place

The bridge is one of the nationally protected landmarks named in Chaozhou’s historic-city plan. Its combination of fixed masonry sections and a movable pontoon is what makes the silhouette distinctive.

It also works as an orientation point: Guangji Gate is on the old-city side, while Han Wen Gong Temple sits across the river on the eastern bank.

Guangji Bridge crossing the Han River
Guangji Bridge from the Han River bankWindmemories · CC BY-SA 4.0

04 · What to see

What to see

A bridge built over centuries

Why the middle floats

Construction began in 1171 with a pontoon crossing. Stone sections extended gradually from the banks, while the central channel retained floating boats. By the sixteenth century, the bridge had developed the arrangement associated with its 24 piers and 18-boat pontoon. The structure seen today includes later repairs and reconstruction.

Stand on the bank first and find the change from fixed masonry to the lower floating section. The middle can be separated for navigation, so this is both a pedestrian crossing and a response to a working river. Pontoons being disconnected is different from the entire bridge being dismantled.

Guangji Bridge crossing the Han River
Guangji Bridge from the Han River bankWindmemories · CC BY-SA 4.0

Crossing and return

Decide which bank you will finish on

Guangji Gate is on the west, old-city bank; Han Wen Gong Temple is across the river to the east. Begin on the west bank for the gate-and-bridge view. If a complete crossing is available, allow time to look back at the old city from the eastern side.

Before buying a crossing ticket, ask whether the pontoon is connected, when visitor access ends and whether you can return on the same ticket. Do not make an evening hotel return depend on the pontoon remaining connected. If crossing is unavailable, the west-bank promenade still gives the complete bridge view.

Guangji Bridge crossing the Han River
Guangji Bridge from the Han River bankWindmemories · CC BY-SA 4.0

05 · Visit tips

How a visit usually unfolds

A practical visit order and pace—not a full-day itinerary.

  1. 01

    Approach the west visitor entrance from Guangji Gate. The rebuilt west-side ticket centre opened in October 2026, so September reports telling all visitors to use the east entrance are outdated. Ask whether the pontoon is connected and whether your ticket permits a return crossing.

  2. 02

    The January 2026 seasonal notice lists weekday hours as 10:00–17:30 from February through October, with last entry 17:00; from November through January, 10:00–16:30 with last entry 16:00. Weekends and public holidays are listed as 09:00–17:30, last entry 17:00. Check for a newer notice on your date.

  3. 03

    Walk through the pavilion sections and connected pontoon, then return to the west bank or continue separately to Han Yu Temple on the east bank. Allow about 60–90 minutes for the bridge and bank views, as our estimate; arrange a road return if the bridge closes before you finish on the east bank.

Practical notes

  • Pontoon operations, crowd control and ticket arrangements can change with water conditions and events.
  • The exposed riverfront is hot in summer and slippery after sudden rain.

Nearby

  • Guangji Gate is immediately west of the bridge.
  • Paifang Street and Kaiyuan Temple are reached on foot inside the old city.

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