Taiping Covered Bridge

Taiping Covered Bridge

Luojiang, originating from the Ning and Lei tributaries of the Longmen Mountains, converge north of the city at the foot of Yungai Mountain, embracing the town as they flow southward, forming a pattern resembling silk textures—hence the name "Luo" (silk) River, from which the town also takes its name. “Stroll horizontally across the Taiping Covered Bridge, gaze vertically upon the Chanting Pavilion Water Town; travel west to the Pang Tong Temple Tomb, or east to the Jade Capital’s Scholarly Hills.” Luojiang boasts picturesque scenery, with endless attractions to explore and boundless Duanyuan culture to discover—like this magnificent ancient bridge before us, which was named “Taiping Covered Bridge” for its auspicious symbolism. Now, please join me on a tour.

[At Shibu Zhai]

In 1742, Shen Qian, the magistrate of Luojiang County, noticed that travelers between the east and west banks could only cross the river by small boats, facing constant danger of capsizing and drowning. He used his own salary to build a wooden dock on each bank and purchased a large boat to ferry people.

In 1753, local gentry such as Xie Zizhong and Li Zuomei urged Magistrate Ye Jian to build a bridge at the east gate through community fundraising. Unfortunately, the bridge piers were just completed when they were washed away by floods, resulting in the loss of a thousand taels of silver without any success.

In 1754, the public gathered at the Luojiang County Office to demand the construction of a bridge. Fearing public unrest, Magistrate Xie Zibi promised to build one and chose the location where the present-day Taiping Bridge stands. Through the collective effort of the entire county, the bridge was completed in a year and a half. The bridge featured ferry landings on both the east and west sides, with a stele pavilion at the east end inscribed with the names of builders and donors, along with a Chanting Pavilion housing statues of Guanyin, the Water God, and the Earth God to bless the bridge’s eternal stability. The project cost a total of 5,884 taels of silver, all raised through public donations. Upon completion, the bridge was named “Qiyun Bridge” (Bridge of Auspicious Start), with a preface written by a tribute student. However, due to an unstable foundation, it was destroyed by floods in 1763.

In 1763, Yang from Yunnan–Mian arrived in Luojiang to take office as county magistrate. Upon arriving, he began understanding local conditions and found that the people’s greatest wish was to have a bridge. The following year, Magistrate Yang planned to rebuild the Qiyun Bridge outside the east gate by the river. Once the plan was finalized, artisans were recruited, lessons from previous attempts were learned, and the bridge foundation was enlarged. Large stones were hauled from Yanduiliang on the Western Hills to the riverbank using oxen, with over a thousand workers bustling on both banks. Under the guidance of master builders, workers mixed glutinous rice paste with lime, repeatedly pounding them in stone mortars to create a paste-like binder for laying stones and sealing gaps. Magistrate Yang personally supervised, strictly forbidding the use of mud during construction. The bridge was completed before the Dragon Boat Festival in 1764. The very next day, despite heavy rain, the bridge stood solid. People rejoiced, beating drums, spreading the news, slaughtering pigs and sheep, and celebrating with a grand dragon boat race on the river. Unfortunately, this great bridge was again destroyed in 1780.

On the tenth day of the sixth lunar month in 1802, when Chen Qitai took office as magistrate of Luojiang, he saw that the people on both sides of the Wen River still relied on ferries to cross, and only the piers of Magistrate Yang's bridge remained in the river. He recruited artisans and hired Yao Guofa, a local, as the chief designer, to rebuild what was termed “the vital bridge connecting Sichuan and Shaanxi from north to south.” After three years of joint effort by the entire county, the bridge was finally completed—“fifty-four zhang long, twenty-six chi high, twenty-four chi wide, with eleven arches.” At the time, the White Lotus Rebellion had just been suppressed, so the new bridge was named “Taiping Bridge” (Peace Bridge) in commemoration. This majestic arched bridge, hailed as the finest ancient bridge in Sichuan, served as a crucial route between Sichuan and Shaanxi for over two hundred years, enduring all weathers and still bearing its original name.

[Middle of the Bridge]

In 2007, the people of Luojiang carried out protective renovations of Taiping Bridge. The classic-style corridor pavilions, towers, and archways now stand majestically, blending harmoniously with the newly developed Chanting Pavilion Water Town and Jade Capital Scholarly Hills, creating a picturesque scene. To the left bank, the Twin Pagodas of Wencheng rise high, the Food Street fills the air with enticing aromas, and you can witness the rapid development of Luojiang. On the right bank, the massive sculpture of the “Four Lis of Wencheng Hanhai”—renowned for “one family producing four imperial examination graduates and two brothers holding three Hanlin titles”—along with the Yujingshan Jingle Palace (Li Tunyuan Memorial Hall), exude profound cultural heritage. In the evenings, the illuminated beauty of Chanting Pavilion Water Town dazzles visitors, making it hard to pull away.

[East Archway Area]

“Wencheng Hanhai commands awe across the land; pagoda-pen bridges span twin rivers,” an especially spectacular sight.

During the massive 5.12 earthquake, this all-timber, post-and-lintel structure with tiled roofing stood firm. The Taiping Covered Bridge emerged unscathed—truly peaceful.

Today, the classic corridor bridge bustles with visitors. Strolling along its length while listening to classical music and admiring the scenic Luowen Riverbanks is a true pleasure. With more time, visit Shibu Zhai to appreciate bold calligraphy and exquisite paintings, or stop by the Luojiang specialty store to sample historic bean-chicken and green-pepper dishes—sure to delight your palate.

Who knows if Emperor Xuanzong once met Consort Yang Guifei here, or if the hero of *The Bridges of Madison County* found the passionate love letter hidden here? May all travelers enjoy Luojiang to the fullest—without any lingering regrets.

Source: Public Information Website of Luojiang County People’s Government