Xiaojiashan Bridge

Xiaojiashan Bridge, located on Baima River in Xiaojiashan Village, Tielou Tibetan Township, Wenxian County, Gansu Province, was originally built during the Three Kingdoms period (220-280) and has been repaired throughout history.

This stone-and-wood bridge, supported by laminated beams, measures 25 meters in length, 2 meters in width, and 5 meters in height. It has eight bays and is topped with small green tiles. Both ends are flanked by cobblestone retaining walls and pavilion-style gateways.

Wenxian County, historically known as Yinping, is mentioned in the Records of the Three Kingdoms. In the winter of the tenth month, General Deng Ai led his troops over 700 li through treacherous, uninhabited terrain, cutting through mountains and building bridges and pavilions. With scarce food and dangerous conditions, Deng Ai wrapped himself in felt and rolled down a mountain, while his soldiers climbed trees and scaled cliffs. The "bridges and pavilions" referred to in these accounts were the ancient covered bridges.

Despite its 1,800-year history, this covered bridge remains sturdy and continues to serve the local community, though it shows signs of age.

#CoveredBridgesofChina

Wu Weiping (Instagram @wp_bridges_hunter)

Wu Weiping, co-photographer of Fantastic China: 

20 years, 400,000+ kilometers, 100,000 photos...  for capturing the remnants of ancient Chinese Covered Bridges.