Qinglong Huiwan Bridge

Qinglong Huiwan Bridge

Qinglong Huiwan Bridge is situated on the Huangsha River between Xiayuanhua and Sanyuanliu villages in Mulong Village, Youmu Township, Fengcheng County, Guangxi, 28 kilometers from the county seat. The name "Huiwan" comes from Han Yu’s “On Scholarly Advancement”: “Gathering all rivers to flow eastward, turning back the surging tide as it nears collapse.” Built during the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli era and renovated in the 14th year of the Chongzhen reign (1641 AD), it predates the world-renowned Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge in Sanjiang by over 300 years and has been listed as a regional-level cultural heritage site. According to the national publication *Ancient Architecture and Garden Technology*, Huiwan Wind and Rain Bridge is a unique architectural composite that integrates four structural styles: the stone arch bridge of northern China, the pavilion of southern China, the ancient tower, and the covered bridge native to the region. It stands out as an exceptionally distinctive and ethnically characteristic ancient bridge in the country’s traditional architecture and landscape heritage. Huiwan Bridge is a three-span stone arch bridge constructed with stone masonry, arched openings, brick walls, and wooden structures, combining elements of a stone arch bridge, a bridge pavilion, and a tower. Qinglong Bridge is a single-span stone arch bridge. The bridge decks of both bridges consist of a pavilion, a covered corridor, and a third component.

According to the *Record of the Restoration of Qinglong Pavilion*, Qinglong Bridge was originally built during the Ming Dynasty, underwent multiple renovations, and is a key county-level cultural relic protection site. The bridge comprises a stone arch, a pavilion, and a third component. It is 26.7 meters long, with a single arch, stone construction, 4.7 meters wide, and 5 meters high. The pavilion is built with 28 round wooden pillars supporting a raised-beam frame, with a central tower erected on the same structure. The tower features a hip-and-gable roof, triple eaves, and colorful clay sculptures along the ridge. Its interior, exterior, doors, windows, and walls are adorned with classical mythological paintings. There are entrances on the east, south, and north sides, but none on the west. The north gate connects to the pavilion. The three gates are inscribed respectively with “Emerald Peaks Towering,” “Enveloped by Mountains and Water,” and “Ascendant Immortal Atmosphere.” The bridge deck is flanked by wooden railings and long plank walkways for resting and sheltering from wind and rain. Enhanced with polychrome painting artistry, it forms a composite covered bridge integrating the structural features of the northern stone arch bridge, southern pavilion, and ancient tower—making it a unique stone arch corridor bridge in China’s traditional architecture and garden heritage. Due to its long history and exquisite design, it has captured the interest of renowned filmmakers at home and abroad. Movies and TV dramas such as *Tea is Home Brew*, *Liquor is Home Brew*, and *Wei Baqun* have chosen this wind and rain bridge as a filming location. The bridge has become a much-coveted tourist destination for visitors from around the world. About 500 meters downstream from Huiwan Bridge lies another wind and rain bridge, locally referred to as the sister bridge to Huiwan Bridge.

A beautiful legend surrounds these two bridges. He Tingchu, a talented scholar from Haoshan, was young, handsome, erudite, and skilled in both literary and martial arts. He fell deeply in love with Pan Lanzi, a Yao girl from Shuangyuanliu Village across the river, who was known as one of the most exceptional young women in the Youmu area of Fengcheng—beautiful, intelligent, gentle, and kind-hearted. Just as the two were preparing to marry, Pan Lanzi was selected by the imperial envoy sent to Jiangnan to choose beauties for the emperor, forcibly separating the ill-fated couple. Heartbroken, Pan Lanzi was sent to the imperial palace to become an imperial concubine. Determined to reunite with his beloved, He Tingchu traveled to the capital, passed the imperial examination, and was appointed by the emperor as an inspector-general overseeing eight provinces, fighting pirates, governing diligently, serving loyally, and earning everlasting merit for the nation. Meanwhile, after entering the palace, Concubine Pan, due to her integrity, kindness, and devotion to the country and people, incurred the jealousy and schemes of the ambitious and manipulative Concubine Liu, a venomous woman who misused power and harmed the nation. She was eventually expelled from the palace and returned to her Yao village, Sanyuanliu. By then, rumors had spread that He Tingchu had died heroically in battle against pirates. Stricken with grief upon hearing the tragic news, Pan Lanzi built the Qinglong Wind and Rain Bridge over the Huangsha River in memory of her beloved and, on the day the bridge was completed, cried out his name before leaping into the surging waters of the Huangsha River, sacrificing herself to be reunited with him in the afterlife. Later, when He Tingchu returned home to visit family and learned of Pan Lanzi’s sacrifice, he was deeply moved. To honor her memory and repay her devotion, he constructed the magnificent Huiwan Wind and Rain Bridge upstream on the Huangsha River. “Huiwan” implies “Reunion with Lan,” and “Qinglong” signifies “Deep Love,” symbolizing their unwavering bond. Huiwan Bridge and Qinglong Bridge stand facing each other, guarding their sacred love, perpetuating the timeless romance between the imperial concubine and the inspector-general—a tale of devotion admired and celebrated by generations to come.