Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge is located in Sanjiang county, Guangxi Province. Several different ethnic minorities, including the Miao, Zhuang, Dong and Yao gather here. Particularly, Sanjiang County is famous for the stockade villages built by the Dong minority. The Dong people build a speacial kind of bridge covered with porches and pavilions, and covered by wooden shelters which protect the bridge from being erosed by the wind and rain, so the local people call these types of bridges - 'Wind and Rain' bridges, among which the Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge is the most famous one.
Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge, also called Yongji Bridge or Panlong Bridge, flies across the Linxi River in Sanjiang County. It was built in 1916, 64.4 meters (73.43 yards) long, 3.4 metes (3.72 yards) wide and 10.6 meters (34.78 feet) high. The bridge is made of wood and stones, its bridge surface is paved with wooden boards and both sides are installed with hand rails. On the bridge, there are five kiosks in tower shpae. Its also decorated with 'horns' and the eaves were built like the flapping wings of birds.
Surprisingly, the whole bridge was bulit without using any nails or rivets. The talented Dong Minority people dove-tailed many pieces of wood and connected them together to build up such a big bridge which shows the wisdom of local people. Hundred years passed,the bridge is still very sturdy and steady. The bridge looks great like a brilliant rainbow flying over the river.
Walking on the bridge, you can appreciate the picturesque scenery. Looking far ahead, you will be enchanted by the landscape, the Linxi River meandering to the horizon; green tea plants scattering on the hills; local farmers working in the fields; and waterwheels slowly spinning......Many visitors are attracted by this bridge, they prefer killing time here while enjoying the perfect pastoral life and to experience the customs of the Dong people. Around the Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge, you can find eight famous stockade villages of the Dong people, which also offers a peek into the Dong's life and customs. The villages are Ma'an, Pingzhai, Yanzhai, Chengyang-Dazhai, Pingpu, Pingtan, Jichang and Guandong.
