Bazhiping Dragon-Connecting Bridge

Bazhiping Dragon-Connecting Bridge

“The water mirrors the sky above, lush greenery thrives all around. Bustling crowds come and go, the Dragon-Connecting Bridge is never still.”

This is a poem found inside the Bazhiping Dragon-Connecting Bridge. Although the handwriting is not very clear and there is no author's signature, these few words vividly portray the beautiful environment where the bridge is located and the significant role it plays in the lives of local residents.

Bazhiping Village is located in Liangjiatan Township in the northern part of Luxi County. It is a Miao ethnic village surrounded by mountains and shaded by green trees. The surrounding mountains embrace the village like a pocket, with the entrance at the opening. A small stream, called “Wo Sao Wo Zan” in the Miao language, flows from the village entrance into the heart of the settlement. Spanning the stream, the Dragon-Connecting Bridge serves as a beautiful sash that cinches the opening of the pocket, forming an essential passage into the village. It is also the highlight of the village's architecture and a symbol of Bazhiping.

The Dragon-Connecting Bridge was first built in the first year of the Xuantong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1909). It was constructed under the leadership of the clan head Zhang Gaoqing to facilitate villagers crossing the stream. He mobilized the efforts and resources of five villages and three communities, and after a year of construction, the bridge was completed. The upper part features a pavilion, while the lower part is a stone arch spanning the stream, adorned with carved dragons and painted phoenixes, integrating elements of ancient Miao architecture. In 1964, the bridge underwent renovation. During the Cultural Revolution, it was damaged due to the movement to “smash the Four Olds,” which discouraged traditional architectural craftsmanship, causing it to lose its distinctive features. However, due to its longstanding fame and as one of the rare stone arch wind-rain bridges in the region, it has been documented with texts and images in provincial, prefectural, and county historical records. In July 2002, with the support of the county government, funding from various departments, and organization by the village committee, the bridge’s foundation was reinforced and it was restored to its original appearance.

The Dragon-Connecting Bridge is a wind-rain bridge. Its lower section consists of a single-arch stone bridge base, while the upper part is a wooden structure forming a covered corridor. Unlike other wind-rain bridges, this one features a pair of stilted pavilions spanning the stone steps at either end, and an octagonal pyramidal skylight is built at the center of the corridor. The overall composition is both sturdy and airy, and the arrangement of the pavilions and the skylight makes the light and space inside the bridge richly varied. Walking up the steps from the openings of the stilted pavilions at either end, the view along the sides is enclosed, guiding one’s gaze directly to the rich interplay of light and shadow on the bridge deck ahead. The bridge deck is fitted with an elevated wooden-pillared corridor, with two rows of pillars on each side offering wide sightlines. Between the two rows of pillars, there are long wooden benches where people can rest. Leaning on the railing, one can gaze into the distance at the rolling mountains and murmuring streams. The highest point of spatial variation is found under the central skylight on the bridge deck. With scenic mountain and water views on both sides, and the light streaming through the exquisitely crafted octagonal skylight overhead, it adds a sense of grandeur and mystery to the landscape of green hills and clear waters. From the bridge deck, one can enter the stilted pavilions, which house simple spaces for worship and rituals used by the villagers.

On ordinary days, the bridge is always bustling with residents carrying baskets on their backs. During festivals, it becomes an important venue for activities such as antiphonal singing, worship ceremonies, and performances. Having withstood a century of wind and rain, the Dragon-Connecting Bridge has witnessed the rise and fall of Bazhiping Village, serving as a concentrated representation of Miao architectural, religious, and folk culture.