Taiwan's Arch Bridge Introduction
The Zheijiang Taishun Covered Bridges refer to a series of wooden arch covered bridges located in Taishun County, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China. There are over 30 existing ancient covered bridges from the Ming and Qing dynasties, and due to their large number and diverse forms, Taishun is known as the "Kingdom of Covered Bridges" and "Hometown of Covered Bridges" in China. The covered bridges of Taishun serve as tangible evidence of rural culture in China, with their bridge structures resembling the Bian River Rainbow Bridge depicted in the famous painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" from the Northern Song dynasty. For centuries, the people of Taishun have referred to the covered bridges as "Centipede Bridges." These bridges primarily utilize a wooden arch structure built using mortise and tenon joints, without a single nail, and this unique construction technique has been listed as a part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The combination of the covered arcades with the wooden arch structure not only serves basic transportation functions but also provides structural support for the wooden archways, protection from wind and rain for the wooden bridges, resting places for people, venues for popular folk beliefs, as well as spaces for gatherings, exchanges, and trade. Currently, visitors can observe the style of the Zheijiang Taishun Covered Bridges at the Wuchang Temple in Jiji Township, Nantou County. This covered bridge is constructed in the style of the "Beijing Bridge in Xiangxi Village, Sihuxi Town," and it features a statue of the God of Marriage (Yue Lao) at its central location, allowing those wishing for a fulfilling love to walk upon the love bridge and sincerely pray for a good match.
