China's oldest wooden covered bridge

The Zhiqing Bridge in Jian'ou is located in Huang Village, Dikou Town, Jian'ou City. It was first built in the third year of the Hongzhi era of the Ming Dynasty (1490), and has a history of over 520 years. It is one of the earliest and most completely preserved ancient covered bridges in the province. This extended-arm style wooden covered bridge is also one of the oldest beam-style covered bridges still in existence in China. In its construction, it follows the authentic construction methods of the Song Dynasty, making it of great cultural and research value. The Zhiqing Bridge runs north to south, with the majority of the northern end built on solid ground and bridge piers. The bridge deck is paved with wooden planks, and there are wind and rain boards under the eaves. It has a depth of ten columns, uses 41 columns, and has railings and resting benches on both sides. In the center of the caisson ceiling, there is a large T-shaped dougong bracket, with painted dragon patterns and other decorations on the sides, and the beam is inscribed with ink characters such as 'The third year of the Hongzhi era of the Great Ming'. The bridge piers are built of stone blocks, with round logs laid in a well pattern on top, extending layer by layer towards the center of the river surface, and finally long round logs are laid to connect the two piers as the bridge structure. Unlike most bridges that do not have a caisson ceiling and only enshrine a shrine, this bridge not only has a caisson ceiling, but also has a shrine at the head, tail, and middle of the bridge, where the local villagers' longevity materials are also placed, reflecting the local folk customs. Most commendable is the architectural style inside the bridge, which dates back to the Song Dynasty. The dougong brackets in the caisson ceiling are stacked layer upon layer without a single nail, entirely joined by mortise and tenon. The decorations are simple, robust, and powerful, with a strong sense of beauty.