Chinese City Rebuilds Bridge with Emotional Significance

The Shang Ya Xu covered bridge in Shangtai Village cost 3.8 million yuan, with 500,000 yuan still outstanding as a loan. Typhoon Meranti struck China on September 15, 2016, causing widespread flooding. Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County in Guangxi, China, boasts the most complete and concentrated collection of Dong architectural clusters. The Yongji Bridge in Chengyang Bazhai, Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County, Guangxi, is described as China's best-preserved and largest wind-rain bridge. These unique architectural structures serve as community gathering places and are integral to the cultural heritage of the ethnic minorities in the area. Efforts are underway to ensure their continued preservation. Wind-rain bridges, also known as 'langtiao' bridges, are constructed using mortise and tenon joinery without nails. These bridges serve as shelters for workers to rest and gather, and are considered representative of Dong ethnic art. Over 150 artisans and national intangible cultural heritage inheritors contributed to their creation. Residents of a small Chinese town are spontaneously salvaging wooden structures after a flood. Following a flood, residents of a Chinese city spontaneously salvaged every wooden component of a bridge.