Major Cultural Relics of Taishun

Taishun boasts an early cultural origin and profound humanistic heritage, ranking as a county abundant in cultural heritage with numerous key cultural protection sites. At present, Taishun is home to 5 Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level, covering 24 individual structures; 4 Provincial-Level Cultural Relics Protection Units including 8 single buildings; 3 Provincial Historical and Cultural Blocks, Towns and Villages. Five items are inscribed on national heritage protection lists, 15 on provincial lists and 68 on municipal lists.

Taishun is hailed as the "Hometown of Chinese Covered Bridges". Its ancient covered bridges are unparalleled worldwide in quantity, preservation condition, construction history and artistic value, serving as representative examples of ancient Chinese arch bridges. The county features more than 900 folk bridges in total, among which 80 ancient bridges survive from the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Fifteen ancient covered bridges, namely Beijian Bridge, Xidong Bridge, Santiao Bridge, Xianju Bridge, Wenxing Bridge, Xuezhai Bridge, Chiyuan Bridge, Chengshui Bridge, Nanyang Bridge, Yongqing Bridge, Wenchong Bridge, Liuzhai Bridge, Pubin Bridge, Yuwen Bridge and Xiaguang Bridge, are designated national key cultural relics protection units. The most renowned one is Sixi’s Beijian Bridge, known as "the Most Beautiful Covered Bridge in the World".

Taishun’s covered bridges feature primitive shapes and exquisite structures, classified into braced wooden arch covered bridges, eight-shaped strut wooden arch covered bridges, wooden cantilever beam covered bridges, flat wooden beam covered bridges, stone arch wooden covered bridges and other types. Construction of Taishun covered bridges can be traced back to the mid-Ming Dynasty, while most extant ones date to the Qing Dynasty. They bear distinctive regional characteristics and possess high historical, scientific and artistic value.

The Shishui Stepping Stones stand as a typical example of Taishun’s river stepping paths. Spanning the Shishui River in Xidong Village, Shiyang Town, they were first built in the 60th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty and reconstructed in the 25th year of the Jiaqing reign. Adopting a bluestone double dike beam structure, the whole path stretches 136 metres with 223 stone steps extending straight across the river, featuring a long span and delicate craftsmanship.

Each stone step has two tiers of different heights: granite for the upper tier and bluestone for the lower tier. The dual-height design allows pedestrians to pass each other easily, while the two contrasting stone colours facilitate night navigation. The river beach foundations at both ends are reinforced with scientific techniques, and the well-shaped pine wood frames represent a unique local feature. This site carries typical regional traits and great scientific and artistic value. It was added to the sixth batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level in 2006.

Taishun’s earthen fortresses include six structures: Shangjiayang Earthen Building, Huangshakeng Earthen Building, Dongxi Earthen Building, Shuanglu Earthen Building, Banyueqiu Earthen Building and Xiayangzhai Earthen Building. Erected between the mid-to-late 19th century and early 20th century, they are typical defensive vernacular architecture with rammed earth outer walls enclosing an all-timber interior.

The largest earthen fortress in Taishun can accommodate hundreds of people at once, and the tallest rises six storeys. Their appearances vary: some squat steadily like crouching tigers, others stand tall like solitary peaks, all bearing simple, primitive forms. Possessing unique architectural styles and strong marks of their era, these buildings were inscribed on the seventh batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level on March 5, 2013.

Located in Xiqiao Village, Xuexi Township, the Hu Clan Grand Compound was constructed from the 12th year of the Daoguang reign (1832) to the Jiaxu year of the Tongzhi reign (1874). Facing east with its back to the west, it covers a land area of 4,500 square metres. Built in the siheyuan (quadrangle courtyard) layout, it consists of a main gate tower, first entrance gate, second entrance gate, front and rear courtyards, and rear left wing rooms. Auxiliary buildings include the Small Hu Ancestral Hall, Grand Hu Ancestral Hall, Fenlong Residence, Waiyang Residence and Hu Clan Study.

This vast architectural complex features rigorous layout and complete functional zones, distinctly blending southern Zhejiang and northern Fujian architectural aesthetics. It was listed as one of the seventh batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level in 2013.

Situated in Yuyan Village, Sixi Town, the Bao Clan Ancestral Hall was initially founded during the Chenghua reign of the Ming Dynasty, relocated and rebuilt on the present site in the Wanli reign, reconstructed again in the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty, and fully completed in the seventh year of the Xianfeng reign (1857). Facing south with its back to the north, it follows the natural mountain terrain for its layout, comprising a screen wall, memorial archway, stone passage, outer gate platform, half-moon pond, main front gate, front hall, side wing rooms and principal hall.

The screen wall sits west of the road at the foot of the hillside. The timber-framed memorial archway spans three bays with a double overhanging gable roof. A long winding stone path climbs the hillside to reach the outer gate platform, after which the ground gradually rises tier upon tier, creating a magnificent momentum. Both the front hall and principal hall span five bays with overhanging gable roofs. The central bay adopts a beam-lifting framework with five purlin beams between two golden columns, while secondary bays use central dividing columns. The central and side bays of the principal hall feature a large horizontal girder spanning three full bays, a distinctive design element.

The entire complex remains fully intact, covering 2,270 square metres. It was designated one of the seventh batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level in 2013.