Baiyun Bridge

Baiyun Bridge

Baiyun Bridge is a protected cultural heritage site of Zhejiang Province.

Baiyun Bridge was first built during the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty (627–649 AD), and has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times since then. The existing bridge was reconstructed in the 16th year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty (1890 AD). It is distinctive both in form and architectural style.

Baiyun Bridge is a steeply arched single-span stone bridge. To its north is the Yuyin Highway, and to its west stands the towering Niushan Mountain, located about 50 meters from Xiansheng Temple. The bridge is 25.3 meters long, with a foundation height of 1.1 meters, a deck width of 3.8 meters, a clear span of 12.65 meters, an arch rise of 6.6 meters, 22 stone steps on the northern side, and 24 on the southern side. Baiyun Bridge appears like a light rainbow gracefully spanning the stream.

The design, decoration, and carvings of Baiyun Bridge are highly artistic. The tall and narrow stone bridge is flanked by towering mountains, with a deep ravine and rushing waters beneath, resembling an aerial corridor soaring boldly across the landscape, creating the impression of a rainbow cutting through white waters. There are sixteen railing pillars along both sides of the bridge deck, with the middle four topped by exquisitely carved stone lion heads—male and female—that are vivid and finely detailed, truly remarkable craftsmanship. Both side walls of the arch span feature bridge couplets: the western couplet reads, “Marking the border between Yin and Yu, the hills of Erjiu and Sanjing sing praises of its utility; villages linked with Gong and Zheng celebrate peace for all generations.” The eastern couplet states, “White waters straddle the rainbow’s waist, roads connect north and south; clouded village retains moon shadows, bordering Zheng and Yu.” On the outer side of the arch slab is engraved the three large characters “Baiyun Bridge,” with the small inscription “Guangxu Gengyin” (1890) in the corner. The arch ring is constructed with longitudinal jointed parallel courses, and stone slabs are laid between the railing pillars.

Connected to Baiyun Bridge is another bridge called Tabei Bridge (Step Bridge). At a slightly elevated section in the stream near the southern end of Baiyun Bridge, stone steps are laid out at intervals to form a path one can step across. This is a primitive type of stone bridge commonly seen in mountain streams, which from a distance resembles turtle backs poking out of the water—thus earning the nickname “Yuantuo” (a mythical turtle creature). Tabei Bridge links Baiyun Bridge with the southern bank of the stream. Ancient master builders combined the steep-arched stone bridge with the step bridge method, significantly reducing the span of the arch ring. This design saves labor and materials while also improving flood discharge.

The architectural style of Baiyun Bridge harmonizes well with the scenic beauty of the Jiangnan water town, and it holds significant historical and artistic value for studying the history of bridge construction in eastern Zhejiang. In October 1987, Baiyun Bridge was designated as a cultural heritage site under the protection of Yuyao City.

Zhongcun Village: Zhongcun Village is located in the southeastern part of Luting Township, Yuyao City, serving as the eastern gateway to Luting Township from Ningbo. Situated at the eastern foothills of the Siming Mountain Range and bordering Tongjiao Village of Zhangshui Town, Yinzhou District, it is approximately 40 kilometers from both downtown Yuyao and downtown Ningbo. The terrain is flat and the land fertile. The village has 730 households, a total population of 1,965, 64 Party members, 35 villager representatives, and 6 village officials. The area includes 930 mu of cultivated land, 145 mu of tea plantations, 4,460 mu of bamboo forests, and 4,168 mu of firewood and timber forests. By the end of 2008, there was one water-boiled bamboo shoot processing factory, three individual tea factories, and two tea plantations... More details about Zhongcun Village ++

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Protected Cultural Heritage Sites of Zhejiang Province