Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge 程阳风雨桥

About Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge

Stone piers support the timber structure, and five pavilion-like towers punctuate its long tiled roof. The covered corridor makes the crossing an architectural space in its own right, with changing views between the roof supports. On the village side, Ma’an’s drum tower and timber buildings extend the same building tradition beyond the bridge.

Yongji Bridge was begun in 1912, funded and organized by local Dong (侗族) villagers, and was completed in 1924 after twelve years of construction; its wooden elements are joined entirely by mortise and tenon, without nails, and it is regarded by architects as representative of traditional Chinese timber construction technique. The bridge was damaged by a flood in 1936 or 1937, losing three pavilions on its south side, and was repaired by 1941; a further flood in 1984 damaged two piers and part of the structure, with repairs completed in 1995.

In 1982, the bridge was listed by the State Council as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level (全国重点文物保护单位), in the second such batch, and it is recognized as a representative work of the national-level intangible cultural heritage item 'Dong timber-structure building technique' (侗族木构建筑营造技艺).

The bridge stands at the core of the Chengyang Eight Villages (程阳八寨) scenic area, made up of eight natural villages including Ma'an (马安), Pingzhai (平寨) and Yanzhai (岩寨). In 2013, these three villages were placed on China's tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage nomination.

What to look for

• Five roofed pavilion towers rise above the covered wooden crossing.
• Stone piers, timber joints and the long corridor reveal how the bridge is assembled.

The surrounding area

A distinct city stop for luosifen and a useful way to expand a food itinerary beyond Guilin.

Location & getting there

Getting to Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge

Travel to Chengyang Eight Villages in Linxi Town, Sanjiang County. Use the scenic area’s visitor arrival and transfer arrangements for Chengyang Yongji Bridge; the river crossing leads towards Ma’an Village.