China
featuring
- A Dong Minority Village - Part 1 -
The magnificent "WIND AND RAIN" bridge -
Page added: 2022-01-02
Contrary to the Zhuang minority people,- who occupy the mountain slopes -, the Dong people prefer the lowland and the valleys, - crisscrossed by numerous rivers.
Due to those rivers, they have developed a fantastic talent for building bridges,- "Wind and Rain" bridges.
They come in all sizes, with covered walkways and usually also pagoda like towers on the top. Those bridges are not just bridges, but actually pieces of art, with a design and beauty unsurpassed by any other bridges I have seen anywhere else in the world.
The biggest and most beautiful of them all, is the truly fantastic Chengyang bridge. It is almost 100 years old, - about 65 meters long -, and build by the villagers themselves without the use of nails.
The bridge spans the Linxi river, separating the Sanjiang/Linxi road from the very picturesque Dong village Maan, and seven other Dong villages scattered in the valleys behind.
In year 2003 Kit Yu and I spent some unforgettable days with the Dong people, and had the good fortune of being welcomed as dear friends from far away.
During our time with the Dong people, we visited 6 out of the 8 villages in the valley, and got quite a good impression of how the Dong people lived and did things.
10 - Here the "Wind and Rain" bridge in all its splendor, with Dong village Maan behind - (Photo- and copyright: Karsten Petersen)
Wind and Rain Bridge Another view of this "the most beautiful bridge in the world" - - - Even the dog seems to marvel at the old bridge. - (Photo- and copyright: Tao Kit Yu)
The photo is taken in front of the guesthouse where we stayed.
And what a view - - -
The dog belonged to our landlord, - that also cooked for us -, and that dog became our very good friend and followed us wherever we went - all over in the valley of the dong people - -
Wind and Rain Bridge - another view - (Photo- and copyright: Karsten Petersen)
2003-18-014 - Wind and Rain Bridge - (Photo- and copyright: Karsten Petersen)
Film 2 - frame 16 - Wind and Rain Bridge Here the wonderful roof construction and special covered design is clearly shown - - (Photo- and copyright: Karsten Petersen)
Wind and Rain Bridge
Detail of one of the stone pillars and the unique bridge foundation.
(Photo- and copyright: Karsten Petersen)
Wind and Rain Bridge - the entrance of the Chengyang bridge seen from the Sanjiang - Linzi road - (Photo- and copyright: Karsten Petersen)
2003-18-017 - Wind and Rain Bridge - and here the entrance seen from the opposit site, - Dong village Maan - (Photo- and copyright: Karsten Petersen)
Film 2 - frame 37 - Wind and Rain Bridge Here is what it looks like inside - (Photo- and copyright: Karsten Petersen)
2003-18-018 - Wind and Rain Bridge - another view showing the interior design - (Photo- and copyright: Karsten Petersen)
2003-18-018 - Wind and Rain Bridge - a view towards one of the towers - (Photo- and copyright: Karsten Petersen)
2003-18-020 - Wind and Rain Bridge - view - (Photo- and copyright: Karsten Petersen)
2003-18-021 - Wind and Rain Bridge - view from the bridge towards our guest house - (Photo- and copyright: Karsten Petersen)
Film 2 - Frame 36 - Wind and Rain Bridge - and a view towards the village Maan - (Photo- and copyright: Karsten Petersen)
7 - Wind and Rain Bridge - view from above - (Photo- and copyright: Tao Kit Yu)
Film 3 - Frame-12 - Wind and Rain Bridge - close up of one of the towers - (Photo- and copyright: Karsten Petersen)
Please continue to next page - The Dong Village 1 -