Early Spring in Southeast Yunnan - A Riot of Colors Between Heaven and Earth (Part 5): The Seventeen-Arch Bridge of Jianshui

Yunnan's Jianshui is a beautiful and historically significant ancient town. When it comes to the history of Jianshui, everyone thinks of the Shuanglong Bridge. It is located to the west of the ancient city of Jianshui County in Yunnan Province and is the longest existing ancient stone arch bridge in China, one of the famous historical sites in Yunnan Province, and has been included in the annals of Chinese bridge construction. It is known as the 'Number One Ancient Bridge in the East.' The Seventeen-Arch Bridge is also called the Shuanglong Bridge, named after the confluence of the Tachong and Lujiang rivers, where a bridge locks the 'twin dragons' together. Another explanation is that there are two stone-carved dragon heads and tails on either side of the bridge. The dragon head is above the stream, and the dragon tail is below the stream, both carved vividly, hence the name Shuanglong Bridge. The Shuanglong Bridge was first built during the Jiaqing period of the Ming Dynasty and has a history of more than six hundred years. It belongs to the covered bridge architecture. During the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, only three stone arches were built on the Lujiang River. Later, due to the flooding of the Tachong and Lujiang rivers and the gradual widening of the riverbed, the small three-arch bridge stood alone in the middle of the river and could not span both banks. Thus, fourteen more arches were added in the nineteenth year of the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty. Three flying-eave style pavilions were built in the middle of the bridge, with pavilions within pavilions, reflecting each other, forming a magnificent view, and is an extremely precious masterpiece in the history of Chinese bridge construction. The pavilions at both ends are slightly smaller, with a large and spectacular one in the middle, known as the 'Dian Nan Grand View Pavilion.' Time flies, and the Seventeen-Arch Bridge has stood over the two rivers for nearly 300 years. If you come to Jianshui, be sure to visit here, stroll on the smooth stone pavement, touch the mottled bridge railings, this bridge with extraordinary momentum, beautiful design, and the wisdom of Chinese national culture, will not disappoint you. (About one kilometer away from the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, there is a motorhome campsite. As long as you stay for more than 4 days, the average cost is 30 yuan per day, including water and electricity. Staying there for a few days, watching the sunrise and sunset by the bridge in the morning and evening, will surely be a poetic experience!)