The Zhaozhou Bridge, built during the Sui dynasty (581–600) by Li Chun, is a masterpiece of world bridge engineering for its 37.02 m span, remarkably low rise-to-span ratio of 0.195, and two spandrel arches on each side. Although the bridge was included in the list of “potential World Heritage Bridges” in the ICOMOS 1997 document, its heritage values have not yet been systematically examined within the World Heritage framework. Against this background, this paper aims to improve the conservation of the Zhaozhou Bridge based on a value-based approach, which is widely used for the nomination, protection and management of World Heritage Sites. The paper analyses the heritage values of the Zhaozhou Bridge, identifying the value attributes and their expressed elements based on an understanding of the principal concepts in the World Heritage framework, and examines the bridge’s current conservation practices. Then, the paper proposes value-based conservation strategies, including establishing a long-term protection and management mechanism, digitally interpreting the bridge’s original structure, recovering its historical settings, and recognizing and protecting the Chinese open-spandrel stone arch bridges. These strategies could enhance the authenticity and integrity of the Zhaozhou Bridge’s value expression and promote a more comprehensive and sustainable approach to its conservation.

The Melan method, pioneered by Austrian engineer Josef Melan in the late 19th century, revolutionized concrete arch bridge construction by embedding steel I-beams as both reinforcement and formwork. The historical evolution of the Melan method and the global development of Melan arch bridges are systematically reviewed. Early Melan arch bridges encountered challenges such as excessive deflections, concrete cracking, and reinforcement corrosion, primarily attributed to inadequate understanding of material durability and the use of high water-cement ratios. The method experienced a revival in China in the late 20th century, with over 67 Melan arch bridges constructed. Modern adaptations, such as the application of Concrete-filled Steel Tube (CFST) frameworks in China, demonstrate the system’s continued relevance, improving economic efficiency and structural performance while reducing steel consumption. Key lessons highlight the importance of prioritizing durability, protecting steel-concrete interfaces, and adopting construction techniques to control deformation. Future research should focus on corrosion mitigation, shrinkage control, and long-term maintenance strategies to conserve both historic and modern Melan arch bridges.