Kezhai Bridge

This bridge in the picture is Kezhai Bridge. Its gallery house has a triple-eave flush gable roof on its west side and a double-eave roof on its east side. Either end of the bridge is bounded by an entrance that passes through a gable wall made of grey bricks. This unique design can only be found in those traditional Chinese covered bridges. 

Kezhai Bridge, situated across Pingjiang River, at Kezhai Village, Qingxi Town, Xiushan County, was built during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). 

In ancient China, bridges also served as a vital pathway for trades. Kezhai Bridge is an important link that connects Qingxi, Longfeng and Tang’ao Townships. Back in the ancient times, there were many market fairs for villagers held on the bridge. You can imagine people of various social status crossing this bridge: officials riding horses or taking sedans, merchants escorting goods, street venders with shoulder poles and buskers doing tricks and juggles…

#CoveredBridgesofChina

Wu Weiping (Instagram @wp_bridges_hunter)

Wu Weiping, co-photographer of Fantastic China: 

20 years, 400,000+ kilometers, 100,000 photos...  for capturing the remnants of ancient Chinese Covered Bridges.