Xianju Bridge

Xianju Bridge is located in Xianju Village, Xianren Township, twenty li away from the county seat. It was first erected in the 4th year of the Jingtai reign of the Ming Dynasty (1453) and reconstructed four times, each collapse brought about by devastating floods. The existing bridge was rebuilt in the 12th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty. With a total length of 41.83 metres, a width of 4.89 metres, a height of 12.6 metres and a single span of 34.14 metres, it is an open-spandrel wooden arch covered bridge.

According to Records of the Territorial Divisions of Taishun: “…It was originally built by Guo Xianzong, Magistrate of Pingyang in the Ming. Torrential floods washed it away in the first lunar month of the 19th year of the Chenghua reign (1483). Fan Mian, the then magistrate, rebuilt it in the 4th year of the Hongzhi reign (1491). It collapsed again in the 30th year of the Jiajing reign (1550) and was reconstructed by Magistrate Qu Yi in the 42nd year of the Jiajing reign (1563). Local villagers rebuilt it once more in the first lunar month of the 12th year of the Kangxi reign (1673). The bridge features eighteen bays of covered corridor supported by eighty wooden columns under a single-eaved roof. It ranks as the wooden arch bridge with the longest span and the longest surviving history among all local covered bridges.” Long-term neglect left the bridge severely dilapidated, and its restoration project has been prioritised on the work agenda of the county Party committee and government.

Walk along the Luoyang–Xianju stretch of the renowned ancient thoroughfare “Wenzhou Grand Road” in Taishun, and numerous culturally profound historic relics line the route. Zhang Tianshu, a literatus from the Qing Dynasty who resided in Xianju, composed an ornate long poem depicting the scenery along the trail, titled Ancient Charm of Xianling. A stanza reads: “Spring blooms unfold beneath warm suns o’er Luoshan’s height, Spring Gate leads onward to the fairy spring’s soft light. Past Sanyang Ridge stands a stone pavilion still, Willow coves lie veiled in mist, serene and shrill. When high and low slopes fade, clear brooks unfold, A rainbow soars across the boundless vault of gold. Woods obscure mist-wreathed hamlets far apart— Here dwells some sage, with quiet, peaceful heart…”

The line “Past Sanyang Ridge stands a stone pavilion still” refers to a stately, unadorned stone pavilion perched between hills, built in the 10th year of the Zhengde reign of the Ming Dynasty (1515) and now over 480 years old. Beyond the pavilion, the trail winds steeply down stone steps, presenting endless breathtaking vistas. The “rainbow” in the verse “When high and low slopes fade, clear brooks unfold, / A rainbow soars across the boundless vault of gold” is none other than the famous Xianju Bridge. First built in 1453, the extant structure dates back to 1673, making it the oldest surviving covered wooden arch bridge in Taishun with the largest single span.

Zhang Tianshu captured the allure of the bridge in another poem, Evening Rainbow over the Long Bridge: “A thousand feet aloft the flying bridge doth span, A vast rainbow hangs o’er the blue celestial plan. Reflected sunset glints on rippling stream, Dusk clouds embrace the woods where long trails gleam. Bright haze drifts light o’er wide empty banks, Uneven stone shades sway in fluid ranks. Wispy mist and fading sun stretch o’er both shores, Dim twilight reveals fishermen and woodcutters’ doors.”

Bridges have long been beloved motifs in classical Chinese literature. Iconic lines such as “Rooster’s crow, thatched inn, moon; footprints on plank bridge dusted with frost” and “Withered vines, old trees, crows at dusk; small bridge, flowing stream, cottages” immortalise bridge scenery. Rather than focusing solely on the arch bridge itself, Zhang Tianshu’s verse weaves in evening clouds, the setting sun, fishermen and woodcutters, crafting a profound poetic realm that immerses readers in the stunning mountain village landscape