Taiwan's Thaisun Long Bridge Introduction
The Zhejing Taishun Covered Bridges refer to a group of covered bridges in Taishun County, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China, with the wooden arch bridge as the core structure. There are over 30 ancient covered bridges from the Ming and Qing dynasties still standing in Taishun, leading to the area being known as the "Kingdom of Covered Bridges" and "Hometown of Covered Bridges" in China. The covered bridges of Taishun serve as material evidence of Chinese folk culture and are structurally similar to the Bian River Rainbow Bridge depicted in the famous Northern Song Dynasty painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival." For centuries, the residents of Taishun have referred to these covered bridges as "Centipede Bridges." The bridges primarily feature wooden arch structures built with mortise and tenon joints, without the use of a single nail, and this special construction method has been listed as a World Intangible Cultural Heritage. The combination of the corridor's wooden arch structure and the bridge provides not only basic transportation functionality but also supports for the wooden arch, protection from wind and rain for the wooden channel bridge, resting areas for people, venues for folk beliefs, and spaces for gatherings and trade. Currently, Wuchang Palace in Jiji Township, Nantou County offers a view of the Zhejing Taishun Covered Bridges. This covered bridge is built in the style of the Northern Jiao Bridge in Xixi Town and features a statue of Yue Lao, the god of marriage, at its political center, inviting those who hope for a fulfilling love to cross the love bridge and sincerely pray for a good marriage.
