Huancui Bridge
The Huancui Bridge in Shitun Village, Jiexiu City, Shanxi Province, was initially constructed in the 19th year of the Ming Dynasty's Jiajing period and remains intact today. This bridge, constructed of stone, features two piers and three arches. Its roof, resembling a small mountain, boasts three layers of eaves and is adorned with glazed tiles and four-cornered pagodas. Remarkably, this bridge is the only one in the world with such a unique design.
During the Ming Dynasty, the villagers of Shitun in Jiexiu were diligent and hardworking. They constructed a bridge and three temples in their village to honor their ancestors and bless their descendants. Among these, the pavilion-style Huancui Bridge, is highly praised as the "Little Heavenly Palace" due to its natural-looking beauty.
When I first visited the bridge in early winter (2023), I couldn't help but marvel at its impeccable beauty. Supported by twenty wooden columns, the bridge's triple-eaved roof stands tall. Originally, the second layer served as a viewing platform, but it was later converted into the Jade Emperor Pavilion, where the Jade Emperor and four deities are worshipped. Each layer is adorned with green and yellow glazed tiles and other glazed components, and the joints are securely connected with mortise and tenon joints, remaining sturdy for centuries. To this day, it safely accommodates the passage of vehicles and horses, benefiting generations of future descendants.
At the top of the main span, there is a commemorative plaque recording the contributions of the Liu clan, including Liu Zici and Liu Zi'en, who raised funds and advocated for the bridge's construction during the Ming Dynasty. The achievements of our ancestors are clearly visible, and it is our duty to preserve and pass down this bridge.
#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.
