Wind and Rain Bridges

Guizhou has many covered bridges, called Wind and Rain Bridges. These were built by the Dong minority people.

 

The most  distinctively Dong cultural feature is the roof covered and enclosed bridge. The natives call this kind of bridge, a 'roofed Bridge' or 'lower Bridge'.

 

These landmark bridges not only serve as passage ways connecting two separate land areas, but also provide local residents with places to meet, relax, socialize, exchange views, and even amuse.

 

The Dong Roofed Bridges are built with passage ways along both sides where benches and chairs are placed. On many of the bridge walls, murals of traditional folklores are illustrated.

 

Colorful life activities can be witness in the Flower Bridges.  Flourishing textile tradition is apparent most everywhere. Time-honored traditions of weaving, spinning and dyeing continue to thrive. Long narrow strips of indigo-dyed cloth dry on stony river banks or flat grass fields after soaking the fabric in wooden tubs of pig's blood. Mothers walking to market carry their children in finely embroidered or woven baby carriers of harmonious design.

 

Zhaoxing

There are five bridges in Zhaoxing. Actually, the bridge is more of a building across the river, as most bridges are covered with pavilions. The bridges have earned the name "flower bridges" because of the exquisite sculptures that cover them. On a raining day, to sit in the bridge pavilion and chat with friends is one of the most pleasurable experiences.

 

Sanjiang

Chengyang Bridge is also called Yongji Bridge or Panlong Bridge. It was built in 1916, and it is the best one among the wind and rain bridges in Dong stockade villages. At present, it is the largest wind and rain bridge also it is the crystal of Dong people's wisdom; it is one of the artistic precious things of Chinese wood architecture.

 

This bridge is made of wood and stone, making it a large bridge stretching across the Linxi River, having 5 stone-made large columns. Fir and wood board cover the surface of the bridge. Moreover, the bridge is 64.4 meters long, 3.4 meters wide and 10.6 meters high.

 

The whole bridge is grand, like a brilliant rainbow, the most amazing thing in its construction is that no nails were used in the building of the whole bridge; pieces of wood in the bridge are closely jointed. Long stools were set up on both sides of the bridge for people to rest. From the stools where people sat you could see the Linxi River windingly flow; on both sides of the river it was full of tea forest and green woods on the sloping hills. Also you could see that the peasants were working in the plantations; there is also a reservoir on one side of the river.

 

Heli

Renhe Bridage: Construted in 1883. It is painted with beautifu pictures of history and scenery. The entire bridge is made of wood with all mortise and tenon joints, without any iron nails. Wood, stone arches, stone slabs and bamboo are all used in erecting bridges. The roofed bridges which the Dongs have dubbed "wind and rain" bridges are best-known for their unique architectural style.

 

Huaihua

The Wind-and-Rain Bridge in the Dong village we visited was constructed during the reign of Qing Emperor Jiaqing. It displays a skillful combination of the railing-style structure popular in Dong villages, and the Han Chinese architectural style of bridge construction. It has a wooden corridor, three pavilion-style pagodas, under which stand three halls housing the local gods. On the pinnacle of the highest pagoda are four dragons which guard its inner treasures, signifying that the Dong village is well protected by its surrounding mountains.