Chengyang (Yongji) Bridge, normally known as Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge, is located in Linxi Town, Sanjiang County, Liuzhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. It is a typical Dong architecture building across the Linxi River. Chengyang Bridge, which combines corridors, pavilions and towers, mainly made of wood and stone, is unique in Chinese and foreign architectural history. According to relevant records, it is one of the four historical bridges in the world, along with Zhaozhou Bridge in Hebei, Luding Bridge in Sichuan and the Novovo Bridge in Romania.
The Wind and Rain Bridge is the representative of Dong architecture. Most Dong villages are built along the river banks. Therefore, bridges have become important transportation hubs. The pavilions on the bridge provide people a place to rest, gather, communication and shelter from wind and rain.
Chengyang Bridge, also known as Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge, Chengyang Huilong Bridge, was built in the first year of the Republic of China (1912), led by fifty elders of Chengyang's eight villages - "The First Scholars Group", and completed in the 13th year of the Republic of China (1924).
In 1936, floods swept away three pavilions on the south side of Yongji Bridge in Chengyang. Restoration began three years later and was completed two years afterwards.
In 1984, the second flood destroyed two piers of Chengyang Bridge. The wind and rain bridge underwent another large-scale restoration, which took two years this time. The existing Chengyang Bridge was rebuilt in 1985.
Chengyang Yongji Bridge is a typical Dong minority building, mainly made of wood and stone. Its architectural feature is that the whole bridge does not need to be riveted. All sizes of wood anastomose perfectly, connected by tenons. All structures, inclined in straight sets and crisscross without the least difference. The pavilion on the bridge has both the architectural features of pole and fence from the ancient Baiyue nationality, and the craftsmanship of the Han nationality palace.
In Chengyang Yongji Bridge, the method of "adding wood on top and passing it out layer by layer" and the upper wood structure playing a solid role of consolidation on the fulcrum of the composite beam below can not only get a larger span, but also increase the bearing capacity and the height of the bridge deck. The five pavilions are not only for the consideration of art and function, but also play a role in gravity balance. The overall design is consistent with the principle of mechanics.
Pavilions on Chengyang Bridge: The bridge has 5 bridge pavilions and 19 bridge corridors. The pavilion rises upward layer upon layer. With flying eaves, bridges, pavilions and corridors integrated, just like a corridor type high-rise pavilion. The pavilion in the center is a 4-storey hexagonal pagoda style pavilion; The east and west two adjacent pavilions are the 4-story 4-corner pagoda style pavilion, with multiple eaves and pinnacles; The east and west pier pavilions are 4-floor palace style pavilions, with multiple gable and hip roofs. The 5 elegant pavilions combine the 3 basic shapes of drum tower of Dong nationality, reflecting the exchange and integration of ancient Baiyue stilt style architecture and Han palace style architecture.
Panoramic View of Chengyang Bridge ©mt.sohu.com
Chengyang Bridge Pavilions ©sjx.gov.cn
Chengyang Bridge Location Map
Chengyang Bridge is the highlight spot in Chengyang Eight Villages Scenic Area. It is about 90 km (2~3 hours by car) west from Longji Rice Terraces, about 17 km (about half an hour by car) north from the center of Sanjiang County, about 200 km (about 3 hours by car) from Liuzhou city, 130 km (1.5~2.5 hours by car) from Guilin city and 200 km (about 2.5 hours by car) away from Yangshuo County. There is no direct train to the scenic area, therefore the most convenient way to get there is by taking a car.
To arrive at Chengyang Bridge without any worry, it is highly recommended to book a private tour package covering local private car services. So, the local guide and driver of China Discovery can take you to Chengyang Eight Villages Scenic Area with the comfortable private vehicle with convenience and speed, and help you arrange the special Dong Banquet, the accommodation and check in at the hotel. If you are interested, please book a private tour package with us which covers sightseeing, dining and transfer, etc. Our local tour guide and driver will take care of all the details!
Local Private Transfer Service
Independent travelers are recommended to take a (bullet) train to Sanjiang County first and then hire a car/ taxi or transfer to local buses to reach Chengyang Eight Villages Scenic Area. Sanjiang South Railway Station (三江南站) has direct bullet/high-speed trains from/to Guilin (0.5~1 hour), Liuzhou (2~2.5 hours), Yangshuo (1 hour), Nanning (3~3.5 hours) and Beihai (5.5~6 hours), etc. every day. Sanjiang South Railway Station is about 28 km south from Chengyang Bridge, which takes 30~40 minutes by car.
Chengyang Bridge is a scenic spot in Chengyang Eight Villages Scenic Area. Travelers may spend half a day in the scenic area, enjoying the splendid architecture of the Dong minority and idyllic ethnic village scenery. If you have more time, don’t miss the 17-kilometer-away Sanjiang Drum Tower, which is located right at the center of Sanjiang County.
Location: County Road 631, Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County, Liuzhou City (柳州市三江侗族自治县631县道附近)
Covering an area of 12.5 square kilometers, Chengyang Eight Village (Chengyang Bazhai) Scenic Area is the largest tourist attraction in Sanjiang County and one of the first batch of village landscapes in China. It consists of eight natural villages, so it is commonly known as "Chengyang Eight Villages". The core scenic spots include Chengyang Yongji Bridge (Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge), Helong Bridge (合龙桥), Puxiu Bridge (普修桥) and Wanshou Bridge (万寿桥) etc., ancient water wheel groups, typical stilted buildings of Dong nationality and countless magical drum towers.
Chengyang Bazhai (Chengyang Eight Villages) ©sjx.gov.cn
Location: Duoye Square, No. 19 Dongxiang Avenue, Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County, Liuzhou City (柳州市三江侗族自治县侗乡大道19号多耶广场旁)
Drum Tower is the symbol and soul of Dong village. Sanjiang Drum Tower is praised as the No.1 drum tower in Dong township. The drum tower is 42.6 meters high, with a total of 60 pillars touching the ground, covering an area of 600 square meters. The drum Tower has a total of 27 tile eaves. Besides the top two floors, the remaining 25 layers of tile surface are evenly separated and compressed. Climb to the viewing platform of the Drum Tower, you can have a panoramic view of Sanjiang County.
Sanjiang Drum Tower ©sjx.gov.cn
Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge is the main scenic spot in Chengyang Bazhai Scenic Area (程阳八寨). To visit Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge, tourists need to buy an entrance ticket to Chengyang Bazhai, which is CNY 60 per person.
Private cars are not allowed to enter the scenic area. The walking distance from the gate to Chengyang Bridge is over 2km. There are sightseeing buses running in the scenic area to shuttle tourists to/from Chengyang Bridge. The sightseeing bus costs CNY 10/person one way and CNY 15/person round trip.
(Notice: Ticket prices given above are only for your reference, which might change according to the real situation.)
Generally speaking, it only takes you 0.5~1 day to enjoy the essence of Dong minority in Sanjiang County, taking half a day to visit the Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge and idyllic Chengyang Eight Villages, trying the Dong banquet at noon and then pay a visit to the “No.1 Drum Tower” - Sanjiang Drum Tower.
Before or after Sanjiang day tour, many travelers prefer to spend 3~5 days admiring the best Karst river and mountain landscapes in Guilin and Yangshuo, enjoying the idyllic scenes of layered rice terraces in Longsheng County.
☛ 4 Days Guilin Highlights Tour (Li River, Yangshuo & Longji Terraces)
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Besides, there are many other destinations and attractions in Guangxi worth visiting, like Detian Waterfall in Chongzuo City (2~3 days), Weizhou Island in Beihai City (2~3 Days), etc.
☛ 3 Days Detian Waterfall & Bama Longevity Tour from Nanning
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For travelers who are interested in the diverse minorities in China and would like to explore more, Guizhou Province (3~6 Days) and Yunnan Province (4~6 Days) would be perfect destinations for your next stop.
☛ 8 Days Guilin Guizhou In-depth Highlights Tour (Start from Guilin)
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Yulong River ©Christina
Detian Waterfall in Chongzuo
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