Pingtan Wind and Rain Bridge

　　The Pingtan Wind and Rain Bridge is situated on the Pingtan River within the Hundred Li Dong Cultural Corridor in Tongdao County, Huaihua City, Hunan Province, and is made up of nine bridges. These nine bridges are respectively Puxiu Bridge, Huilong Bridge, Puji Bridge, Yongding Bridge, Yongfu Bridge, Huifu Bridge, Guanyue Bridge, Wenxing Bridge, and Zhongbutou Bridge. All were originally built during the Qing Dynasty and are wooden structures. During their construction, no nails or rivets were used—only wooden mortise-and-tenon joints were employed, and even ancient methods such as binding with wet vines were utilized.

　　A wind and rain bridge is composed of components such as piers, the bridge body, the bridge corridor, and bridge pavilions. The piers bear the weight; the bridge body spans the river; the bridge corridor is covered with wooden planks, with benches on both sides for people to rest, and railings at waist height that offer views of the scenery on both banks; the bridge pavilions are set according to the length of the bridge, usually three, but longer bridges may have five. It is a bridge, spanning the river and connecting the two banks; but it is more than just a bridge. Shaped like a long dragon, it serves as an element of feng shui, symbolizing a protective force for local peace and carrying people’s hopes for good fortune. It is also a corridor, providing shelter from wind and rain, shade from sun, as well as enlightenment and aesthetic inspiration, thanks to the richly colorful murals painted inside the bridge corridor. It resembles a pagoda, with towers along the bridge’s long corridor featuring upturned eaves, colorful paintings, and sculptures, truly like a folk art exhibition hall.

　　Beyond its practical use, the wind and rain bridge carries rich cultural symbolism. Aside from offering shelter from wind and rain and a place to rest and cool off, the bridge holds deeper meanings. When building their villages, the Dong people pay great attention to feng shui and terrain—they must settle against mountains and beside water. But to prevent the flow of good feng shui and fortune away with the water, every village builds a bridge over the nearby stream or river to “block the feng shui and hold back the village.” The Dong people believe that only in this way can the village be kept safe while allowing wealth to accumulate. Therefore, most bridges feature shrines where deities are enshrined to guard the bridge and protect the village. The location of the wind and rain bridge takes into account both practical functional needs and spiritual cultural needs. It resonates with the iconic drum towers and stilted wooden houses of the Dong villages, organically integrating into a harmonious whole that highlights the beauty of the living environment and of feng shui.

　　In May 2006, the Pingtan Wind and Rain Bridge, as a Qing Dynasty historic structure, was approved by the State Council to be included in the sixth group of Major National Historical and Cultural Sites.