Taishun Covered Bridge Introduction
Zhejiang Taishun Covered Bridges refer to a collection of covered bridges located in Taishun County, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China, with wooden arch bridges as the core. There are more than 30 ancient covered bridges from the Ming and Qing Dynasties that still exist in Taishun, which is why it is known as the "Kingdom of Covered Bridges" and "Hometown of Covered Bridges" in China. These covered bridges in Taishun are physical testimonies of rural culture in China, and their structural design is similar to the famous Northern Song Dynasty painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" featuring the Bian River Rainbow Bridge. For centuries, the people of Taishun have referred to the covered bridges as "Centipede Bridges." Mainly constructed with wooden arches, the bridges are built using mortise and tenon joints without a single nail, and this special technique has been designated as a part of the world's intangible cultural heritage. The combination of the covered arch structure and the corridors gives the covered bridges not only basic transportation functions but also the following purposes: providing structural support for the arch, shielding from wind and rain to protect the wooden bridges, serving as resting places, offering venues for folk beliefs, and providing spaces for gatherings and trade. Nowadays, the Wuchang Palace in Jiji Township, Nantou County, offers a view of the Zhejiang Taishun Covered Bridges. This particular covered bridge is modeled after the "Beijing Bridge in Xixi Town, Xiangjian Village," and at the center of the covered bridge, there is a statue of the God of Marriage, Yue Lao, where those wishing for a happy relationship can step onto the bridge and sincerely pray for a good marriage.
