Wenxing Bridge

Wenxing Bridge

Wenxing Bridge is one of the best-preserved and most scenic covered bridges in Taishun. Located in Kenbian Village, Xiaozhen Town, it spans the Yuxi River and is a stacked-beam wooden arch covered bridge. The bridge is 46.2 meters long, 5 meters wide, with a single span of 29.6 meters and stands 11.5 meters above the water surface.

The bridge was first constructed in the seventh year of the Xianfeng reign (1857) and was renovated in the 19th year of the Republic of China (1930). Wenxing Bridge features a very unique structure, with its notably asymmetrical design drawing considerable attention among the many covered bridges in Taishun. It was listed as part of the third batch of cultural heritage protection units in Taishun County in 1988.

Related legend: It is said that the master ink-marker who oversaw the bridge’s construction was from Jinhua, and he brought along a local young man as an apprentice. During construction, the apprentice, worried that the side he was responsible for might not be sturdy enough, added several baskets of iron nails. As a result, the bridge tilts toward the side with fewer nails.

Another legend says that two master builders were hired to construct the bridge simultaneously from opposite banks. Each had their own idea about the construction method and refused to compromise. By the time they met in the middle, they found the two sides were at different heights. It was too late to dismantle and rebuild, so they had to join the two sections together as they were, resulting in the bridge’s tilt.