Chengyang Bridge China

Legendary

This beautiful covered bridge was built in 1912 to cross the Linxi River.

Photo by Rutger van der Maar

Stretching 64 meters across the Linxi River in Guangxi, China, Chengyang Bridge stands as one of the most celebrated examples of Dong minority architecture.

Built in 1912, the bridge earned its poetic name, "Wind and Rain Bridge," from its distinctive covered design. The Dong people constructed roofed pavilions, porches, and layered eaves along the entire span, creating a sheltered passageway that protects travelers from harsh weather. Five elegant pavilions rise from three stone piers, offering refuge whether rain pounds the valley or wind sweeps through the mountains.

What makes Chengyang Bridge remarkable extends beyond its practical purpose. The entire structure was assembled using traditional dovetail joinery: no nails, no rivets, just precisely interlocking wood and stone. More than a century later, the bridge remains sturdy and in daily use, a testament to Dong craftsmanship that has drawn visitors from around the world to this remote corner of Sanjiang County.