Weiyuan Baoling Bridge

　　“The Baoling Bridge soars o’er clouds, willows on the banks shroud the misty rain. Ancient wild waters rush as they please, clear Wei River waves churn with iron rings.” This is the heartfelt praise of Mr. Wang Hongqi, editor-in-chief of the Gansu “Linxian Poetry Collection,” for his hometown’s famous bridge. Indeed, the Baoling Bridge in Weiyuan County, a covered bridge on the Gansu loess plateau, had already earned fame across China’s cultural and architectural circles by the early 20th century. Today, this even more graceful and beautiful landmark attracts the attention of both domestic and international travelers, becoming the most photographed historic covered bridge in northwestern China. The Baoling Bridge, a cultural gem located in Weiyuan County, Gansu, stands in Nanhé Tān, just south of Weiyuan County — the first town at the source of the Wei River. The bridge is only about 170 km from Lanzhou, the provincial capital. For nearly a century, this rainbow-like, dragon-like Baoling Bridge has become a symbol of tourism in Weiyuan and central Gansu, rivaling the famed Rainbow Bridge of Bianliang from Zhang Zeduan’s “Along the River During the Qingming Festival” painting on TV and in newspapers.

　　Known as the “Long Rainbow over the Wei River” and the “First Bridge over the Wei River,” the Baoling Bridge is about 10 kilometers from Niaoshu Mountain (Niaoshu Tongxue, or “Bird-and-Mouse Sharing a Hole”) — the source of the Wei River, the Yellow River’s first major tributary. The naming of the Baoling Bridge is also related to the Niaoshu and Wei River: preliminary research suggests that “Baoling” was the name of an ancient county. In 171 BC (the 9th year of Emperor Wen of Han), the Baoling County was established here, and the county seat was located northeast of today’s Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, where Emperor Wen was later buried. During the Three Kingdoms period, the Wei Kingdom renamed it “Bacheng.” It was abolished in the 2nd year of the Jiande era during the Northern Zhou Dynasty (573 AD). The Bashui River, one of the waterways leading from Guanzhong to Sichuan, flows through the Lan River and the Wang River, then heads northwest through Chang’an past Ludao Bridge, entering the Northwest Water before flowing northward into the Wei River, and eventually reaching Fengling Crossing to join the Yellow River. According to the “Book of Documents: Tribute of Yu,” Yu the Great dredged the Wei River at Niaoshu. As Weiyuan is the source of the Wei River, tracing back to its origin reveals the reason behind the naming of the “Baoling Bridge.” Another local legend says that when Emperor Qin Shi Huang was inspecting the construction of the Great Wall, he visited this area. Today, 6 kilometers north of Weiyuan Town, there are indeed remnants of the ancient city walls at the Qinwang Temple.

　　Historical records indicate that the Baoling Bridge was first built during the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1368 AD) and was later rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty’s Yongzheng era. Earlier versions were all flat bridges, “which served pedestrians and ordinary carts and horses well, but were often destroyed or washed away during sudden floods, requiring frequent repairs.” In the 8th year of the Republic of China (1919 AD), local master builders He Yujian and He Yuhai from Hezhuang Village, Qingyuan Town, redesigned and reconstructed the bridge, modeling it after the style of the Lèhétān Suspension Bridge in Lanzhou. In 1932 (the 21st year of the Republic of China), due to tilting, the He brothers carried out a second renovation. The Baoling Bridge is a vital hub of transportation at the southern end of the Silk Road and is considered the top scenic attraction for people in Weiyuan. Today, this Gansu covered bridge has withstood over 600 years of history.

　　The Baoling Bridge is a classical all-wooden structure featuring a cantilevered arch and corridor-style design, with double-sloped flying eaves. Its design, architectural structure, style, and painted decorations all embody the characteristics of traditional Chinese ethnic architecture. The bridge’s placement and its integration with the surrounding environment, along with the ingenious layout and the harmonious combination with nearby scenery, create a perfect work of art. Nestled between the elegant peaks of Junshan Mountain to the southeast and the majestic ridges of Qisheng Mountain to the north, the bridge stands tall against the backdrop of distant mountains, appearing clear and majestic against the blue sky, forming a scene of a long rainbow lying on the waves or a dragon soaring through the air. The painted beams, pillars, brackets, and rafters of the bridge contrast beautifully with the nearby village houses and fields, highlighting the bridge’s elegance, refinement, simplicity, and tranquility. The Baoling Bridge emerges from the depths of memory and history. Having endured vicissitudes, it has become a cultural symbol with its graceful presence at the source of the Wei River.

　　The Baoling Bridge stretches from north to south, with a total length of about 40 meters and a height of approximately 15.4 meters. At the base, 11 sets of 10 sturdy round logs are arranged vertically in each row, creating progressively stepped flying arches from the bottom of the piers on both banks. The bridge rises high, “withstanding strong currents and avoiding the impact of rushing waters,” and its roof is covered with tiles to shield against rain and snow, making it solid and durable. The corridor rooms on the bridge are each 3 meters wide, totaling 13 rooms and 52 hanging pillars, supported by 14 rows of columns — 4 pillars per row, placed in pairs, forming double-sided railings.

　　The bridge deck consists of a central walkway and double-sided railings, divided into three sections, resembling a stepped pathway. Each end of the bridge has an abutment, integrated with the main body of the bridge, serving both as a passage and as a hall. The four corners rise elegantly, with ridges adorned with mythical beasts, glazed tile roofs, and vivid painted decorations. A gentle breeze brings the soothing sound of wind chimes. Willow trees and lush greenery on both banks set off the bridge’s graceful form, truly embodying poetic imagery like “no need for mineral reds to paint the hills, no need for lapis lazuli to make the mountains green.” Especially during the colorful golden autumn, the naturally vibrant hues complement the painted beams, brackets, and rafters of the bridge, enhancing its enchanting charm. In spring and summer, the murmuring streams and gurgling water inspire an intimate connection with nature. And in the harsh winter, when covered in pristine white snow, the quaint, dignified bridge from the Ming Dynasty lies quietly, exuding a majestic aura.

　　A Qing poet once praised in “The Wei Flows East”: whether in the smiling tenderness of spring, the emerald vibrancy of summer, the bright clarity of autumn, or the serene slumber of winter, the Baoling Bridge always adorns the Wei River with her multifaceted grace.