What's not to see the bridge?
There is a miracle of "more than 1,000 years of flying in the valley", and it is a "wonder of the treasure house of world civilization" that connects mountains and rivers and folk customs.
Mr. Shen Weiping, an expert in ancient architecture, once said: "I use my mind to rationally analyze the strangeness of the structure of the wooden arcade bridge, and at the same time, I enjoy the beauty of the covered bridge with my heart and sensibility", which is the best description of the journey of the covered bridge.
Three Bridges Photo source/Golden Night
It is a flying rainbow that traverses the mountain streams in southern Zhejiang and northern Fujian, as if the abode of the gods suddenly appeared in the deep mountains and valleys.
In the corners that cannot be eroded by the pace of modern industry, between the secret realms where villages are intertwined, the ancestors mastered the situation of mountains and rivers, geographical characteristics, and climatic conditions, and gradually weaved wood into beams, mortise and tenon frames, covered corridor houses, carved beams and painted buildings, and eaves and pavilions......
Between the mountains and rivers, the craftsmen with extraordinary wisdom and superb skills have integrated the layout, form and color of these bridges and corridors with the surrounding environment, and built a covered bridge that "rests for the people and guests".
Three Bridges Photo source/Golden Night
Yuwen Bridge
It is a miracle of the development of ancient architecture, and it is a treasure that jumps out of ancient paintings.
The interweaving of mountains and rivers is a harsh environment that is not conducive to travel. However, these wooden arch bridges flying through the air not only stand proudly on the river surface by virtue of the friction between the woods, but also use the unique method of "weaving wood", the beams and longitudinal beams are interspersed with each other, and the bridge body is more and more compact.
Fushou Bridge Woven Wood Structure Photo source/Liu Jiangling
In addition, the "corridor house" on the bridge can not only shelter from wind and rain, but also increase the stability of the bridge. This ancient and unique bridge style of "building a bridge on the river, building a corridor on the bridge, protecting the bridge with a corridor, and integrating the bridge and corridor" is known as the "living fossil" of the ancient wooden bridge in the mainland.
Beijian Bridge Photo source/Jin Wan
Huguan Bridge Photo source/Chang'an
It is the shelter of the way, the abode of the gods.
For thousands of years, the covered bridge has always been closely connected with the daily life of local residents, not only to provide shade from the sun and rain, but also to provide convenience, but also gradually become the carrier of local folk culture, and become a cultural place for people to rest and socialize and worship the gods. Legends, inscriptions, folk activities...... Each covered bridge is full of charm.
Yonghe Bridge Photo source/Jin Wan, Chongzi
Covered bridge, the most Chinese-style bridge. It is different from the classical style of Han culture, different from the luxurious beauty of Tang culture, highlighting the freehand style of ink painting, inheriting the elegance of the Song Dynasty, and having both the impression of the south of the Yangtze River and the spirituality of the landscape.
It's just that the times are developing, but the bridge has disappeared rapidly with the decline of technology. In recent years, almost every year, there has been news that the bridge has been destroyed for various reasons......
Wan'an Bridge burned down in 2022
In October 2009, the "Traditional Construction Techniques of Chinese Wooden Arch Bridges" was officially included in the "List of the World's Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Protection" by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Therefore, the Covered Bridge Study Tour is not only a simple trip to the ancient times, but also hopes to let more people understand the history and culture of the Covered Bridge and protect Chinese cultural relics. This is also the original intention of the art tourism to do the theme study tour of the covered bridge, to find those ancient covered bridges that have almost disappeared.
The Xue Zhai Bridge that was once washed away by the water Photo source/Jin Wan
To this end, this July, let us follow Mr. Zhong Xiaobo, president of the Wenzhou Covered Bridge Cultural Society, to form a boutique group of 6-12 people to go to the beautiful southern Zhejiang, wander among the green mountains and rivers, and visit these ancient corridor bridges that embody many legends and history!
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Traveling lecturer
Zhong Xiaobo, founder of China Covered Bridge Network, president of Wenzhou Covered Bridge Cultural Society, executive director of China Covered Bridge Research Association, director of the Residential Architecture Expert Committee of China Ethnic Architectural Society, Taishun County Covered Bridge Cultural Association, one of the initiators of Wenzhou Covered Bridge Cultural Society, born and raised in Taishun, has been going to the front line of research and protection of covered bridges for 20 years, founded the "Covered Bridge" magazine, laying the foundation for the study of folk covered bridge culture.
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Highlights of the study tour
■ A learning journey about the knowledge of the covered bridge: Mr. Zhong Xiaobo, president of the Wenzhou Covered Bridge Cultural Society, was specially invited to lead you to visit the characteristic covered bridges in Lishui and Wenzhou, and take you to systematically understand the history and structure of the covered bridges from a broad and professional perspective.
■ An adventure to find covered bridges in the mountains: Many of the covered bridges are located between the valleys, which are beautiful, but they are located in the middle of nowhere, and some bridges are still not found on the map. In this trip, we will go into the mountains, or shuttle between the trees, or step on the streams, looking for those well-known and unknown covered bridges hidden in the depths.
■ A lung-washing journey deep into the secret realm of the valley: looking for ancient villages and visiting historic sites, all the way to the countryside on the banks of green waters and green mountains, chasing the dreams of covered bridges and ancient relics; Immerse yourself in the beauty of the integration of covered bridges and mountains and rivers in covered bridges, fields, and ancient villages
Special tips: 1. You need to walk a lot to study during the trip, and sometimes you need to climb mountains, please wear comfortable sports shoes or casual shoes; 2. In case of temporary traffic control, scenic spot opening or weather conditions, the order or content of the itinerary will be adjusted to a certain extent.
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Highlights of the trip
★ Yonghe Bridge
Guobao, the longest and best-preserved covered bridge in Zhejiang, has a total length of 125.7 meters. There are railings and wooden benches in the bridge; On the bridge house, you can clearly see the exquisite carved beams and painted buildings, and the eaves and arches are stacked.
Photo source/Yeosu City Museum
There is one rare kind of ancient building such as a covered bridge, which is rich in human care, and is mostly built by fundraising, for people to rest and chat, shelter from the wind and rain, escape the heat and enjoy the shade, gather and trade, and communicate the exchanges between villagers, villages, and people and nature. The harmonious notes of the countryside echo in the beautiful legends of the covered bridges.
Photo source/Longquan Tourism
★ Tai Ck Hang Bridge
National security, one of the covered bridges in the state.
Photo source/Jingning Cultural Tourism
It was built in the fifteenth year of Jiaqing in the Qing Dynasty (1810), the original name was Chengmei Bridge, Chengming Bridge, and it has changed its name repeatedly, and now it is named after the village of Da Chikeng.
Photo source/Yeosu City Museum
The bridge goes southwest to northeast, spans the big Chikeng Creek, is an important beam of Qingjingqing Ancient Road, 15 corridor houses, rests on the top of the mountain, four pillars and nine purlins, and five lifting beams. The body of the bridge is like a flying rainbow, the shape is simple, it is extremely magnificent, it is integrated with the surrounding natural landscape, and it is the most along the line of "the window of She Township".
★ Guarding the bridge
National security, a rare three-storey constructed covered bridge in Zhejiang Province.
Photo source/Xiaoxi Tingquan
Huguan Bridge was built in the 46th year of Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1781), spanning the confluence of Longxi and Muhexi, 26 meters long, 9.5 meters wide, 9 meters high, there are 9 corridor houses, and the three-storey buildings are Guandi Temple, Wenchang Pavilion and Kuixing Tower from bottom to top.
Shisi Temple and Huguan Bridge Photo source/Xiaoxi Tingquan
★ Shisi Temple
Guobao, built in the Yuan Dynasty, continued to be built in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. The temple is composed of mountain gates, bell towers, main halls, Sanqing halls, Maxian Palace, Mei's ancestral hall and other buildings, and is a group of ancient buildings with the characteristics of the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.
Photography / Yu Han
The whole group of buildings can best reflect the architectural characteristics of the Song and Yuan dynasties, is the solemn and majestic Daxiong Treasure Palace.
The main hall of the temple is three rooms wide, two rooms deep, rest on the top of the mountain, the sub-step is around the turn, the column head is obvious, and part of the pillar foot is covered with lotus base; In particular, the protruding ang of the hat wings has become a marker of the big fish in the clouds. According to the inscription of the yang inscription left in the hall, this hall was built in the sixteenth year of Yuan Zhizheng (1356).
Photography / Yu Han
The bell tower of Shisi Temple is a rare entanglement in the Chinese wooden attic building, with beautiful shape and great ornamental value.
Photography / Yu Han
At the same time, Shisi Temple is also the ancient temple complex of "the same site of the temple ancestral hall, the same hall of the three generations of the Song, Ming and Qing dynasties, and the confluence of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism", a mixed Buddha, Taoist, folk places and other polytheistic beliefs of the incense holy place, which also formed the unique architectural style of Shisi Temple.
★ Xianju Bridge
Xianju Bridge, national security, is a wooden arch bridge with the longest history and the largest span among the existing covered bridges in Taishun.
Photo source/Jin Wan
Xianju Bridge was built in the fourth year of Ming Jingtai, and has been destroyed by floods many times in history, and has also undergone many reconstructions. The existing bridge was rebuilt in the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty and has a history of more than 300 years.
Photo source/Jin Wan
Compared with other covered bridges in Taishun, Xianju Bridge has an extremely elaborate structure. On the span of more than 30 meters, there are 18 corridor houses, which makes the whole bridge volley elevated, and the structure is very unique.
★ Fukushou Bridge
Fushou Bridge, also known as Batouxi Bridge, was built in the 19th year of Jiaqing in the Qing Dynasty.
The total length of Fushou Bridge is 40.7 meters, and the arch span reaches 32.8 meters. The bridge structure adopts a four-column and nine-purlin beam lifting beam frame, with a total of 18 bays and 76 columns, and the top is covered with a double-slope roof. The bridge corridor is tightly wrapped by a protective panel, and only a few small holes of different shapes are opened for lighting.
Photo source/Liu Jiangling
Fushou Bridge is not only a transportation artery, but also an important place for local religious activities. There is a shrine in the bridge, with Guanyin in the middle, the Emperor on the left, and the Lady Linshui on the right, reflecting the local religious beliefs and cultural characteristics.
Photo source/Liu Jiangling
Fushou Bridge is one of the representatives of early wooden arcade bridges in eastern Fujian, and it is also a valuable material for studying ancient Chinese bridge construction technology and local history and culture.
★ Yuwen Bridge
Yuwen Bridge was built in the 19th year of Daoguang in the Qing Dynasty, is a stone arch wooden covered bridge, with a unique three-storey pavilion-like structure, the eaves are warped, the roof ridge is equipped with a gourd top, the overall shape is rich and beautiful.
Photo source/Jin Wan
Unlike other covered bridges, the two sides of the Yuwen Bridge are not closed with wooden planks, but are made of fine lattice wood carvings, showing a more delicate and delicate craftsmanship. The arch part is made of bluestone to form a half-moon shape, which harmoniously blends with the surrounding ancient pine and stream, like a delicate ancient painting.
Photo source/Jin Wan
Yuwen Bridge is not only one of the most beautiful covered bridges in Taishun area, but also one of the most abundant and beautiful covered bridges in existence. Its existence not only adds a beautiful landscape to the local area, but also provides valuable material materials for the study of ancient Chinese bridge construction technology and local history and culture.
Photo source/Jin Wan
★ Three bridges
Three bridges, national security, it spans the Hengxi at the junction of Zhouling Township and Yanxi Township, and is one of the earliest bridges in Taishun County. Because of its relatively remote location, it is also known as the loneliest covered bridge in China.
Photo source/Jin Wan
According to Taishun's "Records of the Division", when it was built in the Daoguang period, old tiles from the Zhenguan period of the Tang Dynasty were found, which indicates that the three bridges may have been built in the Tang Dynasty. The three existing bridges were rebuilt in the 23rd year of the Qing Dynasty (1843).
With a total length of 26.63 meters, a width of 4 meters, and a height of about 10 meters above the water, the three bridges have 11 bridge houses, five pillars and beams in the bright room, and the capitals are decorated with butterfly-shaped lotus petal head arches.
Photo source/Jin Wan
The architectural style of the three bridges reflects the ingenuity and skill of ancient craftsmen. Its structure is exquisite and beautiful, harmoniously blended with the surrounding natural environment, showing the brilliant achievements of ancient bridge construction, and is an outstanding representative of ancient Chinese bridge construction technology.
★ Xue Zhai Bridge
Xuezhai Bridge, also known as Jinxi Bridge, is a famous wooden arcade bridge famous for its simple and atmospheric shape and majestic momentum, which is recorded in the "History of Chinese Bridges" and occupies an important position in the history of bridges in the world.
Taishun Xue Zhai Bridge Photo source/Hongci Yonghu
Xue Zhai Bridge was built in the Ming Dynasty, and the existing bridge was built in the sixth year of Xianfeng in the Qing Dynasty, and it is a wooden covered bridge with stacked beams and arches. Because of its structure and appearance similar to a centipede, it is also known as the Centipede Bridge by the locals.
Photo source/Jin Wan
It has a total length of 51 meters, a width of 5.2 meters, a distance of 10.5 meters from the water, a single span of 29 meters, and 14 bridge houses. The span beam of the bridge is long and the slope is large, and the slope of the bridge head is more than 30 degrees, which is the wooden arcade bridge with the largest slope of the bridge deck in Taishun County.
★ Snow Creek Hu Compound
Xuexi Hu's compound, national security, is also known as Shimenlou. It is a rare large-scale courtyard-style house in the Jiangnan area, and is known for its grand scale and exquisite craftsmanship.
Photo source/Zhejiang cultural relics
The Hu Compound was built in the 12th year of Daoguang in the Qing Dynasty, and the construction process lasted more than 40 years. The compound covers an area of more than 4,500 square meters, with a zigzag layout and symmetrical central axis, with a total of 276 columns and more than 100 houses.
The building complex includes the Hu Clan's Courtyard, the Hu Clan's Small Ancestral Hall, the Hu Clan's Ancestral Hall, the Fengyuan House, the Outer Pavilion, and the Hu Study, constituting a large-scale building complex.
The Hundred Family Banquet in the Hu Compound Photo Source/Taishun County CPPCC Photography/Lai Haibin
The architectural style of the compound is elegant, with typical Jiangnan characteristics. The courtyard is composed of the front hall, the lower hall and the upper hall, and the architectural elements such as the gate platform, the main house, and the wing room are well preserved, and the ancillary buildings are basically maintained in their original appearance.
★ Wenxing Bridge
Wenxing Bridge, national security, stacked beam type wooden arcade bridge, was built in the seventh year of Xianfeng in Qing Dynasty, with a total length of 46.2 meters, it is a better environment and well-preserved one of the existing covered bridges in Taishun area. It is known for its unique left-right asymmetrical structure.
There are several legends about the cause of the asymmetrical structure of Wenxing Bridge. One theory is that the apprentice was worried that the end he was responsible for was not strong when building the bridge, so he added some more iron nails to cause the bridge to tilt; Another theory is that the two masters built from both sides of the strait, and because they each insisted on their own plans, the height of the two sides was inconsistent when the dragon was closed in the middle.
Taishun Wenxing Bridge Photo source/Zhejiang publicity
But in any case, Wenxing Bridge is not only a cultural treasure of Taishun County, but also an outstanding representative of the architectural art of traditional Chinese wooden arcade bridges.
★ The ancient village of Xuaodi
The ancient village of Xuaodi is one of the most well-preserved ancient villages in Taishun County.
"Aodi" means flat land in the mountains, and in the mountainous city of Wenzhou, there are countless villages whose names are associated with "Ao". The word Xu comes from a legend: according to legend, during the Song Xuanhe period, Xu Zhen, who led the troops to resist Fang La, sacrificed, and his coffin appeared when passing through Yuxi on the way home, and nectar fell from the sky, making the local harvest year after year, so the villagers named this place "Xu Ao" to commemorate.
Photo source/Taishun Tourism
As one of the most well-preserved ancient villages, the green tile brick walls in the village are not carved, the ploughing cattle are walking in the fields, and the Wenxing Bridge, a "national treasure-level covered bridge", stands on the blue waves and green streams.
Photo source/Wenzhou Women's Federation
Ancient buildings such as Wenyuan Courtyard, Juren Mansion, Wu Clan Ancestral Hall are distributed in turn, and there are 25 small and medium-sized houses in the village and many cultural landscapes such as Shuangjing and Shuangxin Lane, showing a unique rural style.
★ Beijian Bridge & Xidong Bridge
Beijian Bridge and Xidong Bridge are both national security and are stacked beam wooden arcade bridges, which are not far apart, and are often collectively referred to as "sister bridges", and both are known as "the most beautiful covered bridges in China".
Photo source/Jin Wan
Among them, the Beijian Bridge was built in the 13th year of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty, and has been rebuilt many times, and has a history of more than 300 years.
The bridge is 51.87 meters long, and the bridge deck is reinforced by two layers of one-inch thick wooden planks, all made of wood, with no piers in the middle, and spans the stream.
Photo source/Jin Wan
The east head of the Beijian Bridge is on higher ground, called "Qiaotou", with 16 stone steps; The west head is low-lying and is called "the end of the bridge", with 26 stone steps. The whole bridge structure is reasonable, the momentum is like a rainbow, the gray tile of the bridge house is red, the eaves are beasts, the ancient trees next to the bridge are shaded, the two rivers under the bridge meet, and the surrounding green mountains and clear water reflect each other, constitute a charming landscape painting.
Photo source/Jin Wan
The Xidong Bridge was built in the fourth year of Longqing in the Ming Dynasty. With a total length of 41.7 meters, it is one of the best wooden arcade bridges in Taishun County.
The design of the Xidong Bridge is very exquisite, there are 15 corridor houses built on the arch of the bridge, several of which are raised to form pavilions, the eaves wing corners are flying, and the green dragon on the roof ridge is around the void, showing a kind of momentum of swallowing clouds and spitting fog. Instead of piers, the bridge was framed from thick timber in a figure-of-eight outrigger wooden arch, a structure that is quite rare.
Photo source/Jin Wan
Xidong Bridge is not only architecturally valuable, it also carries rich cultural significance. The bridge takes its name from the East Creek it spans, and its geographical location has a feng shui pattern of "the general teasing the lion", which adds to the mystery.
Photo source/Jin Wan
Time: July 25th - July 28th Venue: Lishui, Zhejiang Scattered place: Wenzhou, ZhejiangSuitable people: humanities and history lovers/art and culture lovers/ancient architecture lovers/photography enthusiastsOriginal price: 3580 yuan/person Group price: 3480 yuan/person (2 people or more can enjoy) Early bird price: 3380 yuan/person (200 yuan/person, as of 24:00 on June 30) * The same price for the size and size, the recommended age for participating in the tour is between 10-70 years old; *6 people to travel, 12 people to close the group (if there is a single room difference or 1 person floating up, if the group does not form a full refund) *Recruitment will be stopped when the number of applicants reaches the upper limit, the number of places is limited, please register as soon as possible! *Registration is subject to re-confirmation. Please do not purchase high-speed rail/air tickets for large transportation, and arrange the purchase after the customer service informs you of the trip.
The cost includes transportation: full air-conditioned tour bus accommodation: 2 nights of local high-standard hotel accommodation + 1 night characteristic homestay (default standard room, if you need a single room, please contact customer service Xiaoyi to make up for the single room difference) Meals: full buffet breakfast + full 5 meals + full mineral water guide service: full professional lecturer accompanying lecture + cultural leader intimate service + full-time driver tickets: all attractions in the itinerary Ticket cost Equipment: wireless Bluetooth guide insurance: high travel travel insurance
Exclusions1. The cost of transportation to and from the place of study is large2. Other expenses incurred due to personal reasons3. Single room difference fee * single room difference description: default standard room (1 room 2 people), if you need a single room, contact customer service to make up the single room difference.
Instructions for Registration
The tour is a specially customized itinerary, you need to make a reservation in advance, if you cancel the tour due to personal reasons, part of the tour fee will be deducted: 1. Cancel before 30 days before the meeting date, 100% of the tour fee will be refunded; 2. Cancellation 30-8 days before the meeting date, 90% of the tour fee will be refunded; 3. If you cancel 7-4 days before the meeting date, 80% of the tour fee will be refunded. 4. If you cancel 3-1 day before the meeting date, 60% of the tour fee will be refunded. 5. If you cancel on the day of the meeting, you can only refund the unincurred scenic spot ticket fee. If the number of participants is not reached, the organizer may cancel the activity or increase the fee (if there is any change, we will notify you as soon as possible)
How to register
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