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- A Dong Minority Village -

Part 1

- The magnificent "WIND AND RAIN" bridge -





Contrary to the  Zhuang  minority people,- who occupy the mountain slopes -, the Dong people prefer the lowland and the valleys, - crisscrossed by numerous rivers.
Due to those rivers, they have developed a fantastic talent for building bridges,- "Wind and Rain" bridges.
They come in all sizes, with covered walkways and usually also pagoda like towers on the top.
Those bridges are not just bridges, but actually pieces of art, with a design and beauty unsurpassed by any other bridges I have seen anywhere else in the world.

The biggest and most beautiful of them all, is the truly fantastic Chengyang bridge.
It is almost 100 years old, - about 65 meters long -, and build by the villagers themselves without the use of nails.
The bridge spans the Linxi river, separating the Sanjiang/Linxi road from the very picturesque Dong village Maan, and seven other Dong villages scattered in the valleys behind.

In year 2003 Kit Yu and I spent some unforgettable days with the Dong people, and had the good fortune of being welcomed as dear friends from far away.
During our time with the Dong people, we visited 6 out of the 8 villages in the valley, and got quite a good impression of how the Dong people lived and did things.
 
 



Wind and Rain Bridge
Here the "Wind and Rain" bridge in all its splendor, with Dong village Maan behind - -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
 
 
 
 


Wind and Rain Bridge
Another view of this "the most beautiful bridge in the world" - - -
Even the dog seems to marvel at the old bridge.
(Photography by Tao Kit Yu)
 
 


Wind and Rain Bridge
- another view -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
 


Wind and Rain Bridge
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
 
 
 
 


Wind and Rain Bridge
Here the wonderful roof construction and special covered design is clearly shown - -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
 
 
 
 


Wind and Rain Bridge
Detail of one of the stone pillars and the unique bridge foundation.
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
 
 
 


Wind and Rain Bridge
- the entrance of the Chengyang bridge seen from the Sanjiang - Linzi road -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
 
 
 


Wind and Rain Bridge
- and here the entrance seen from the opposit site, - Dong village Maan -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
 
 
 


Wind and Rain Bridge
Here is what it looks like inside -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
 
 
 


Wind and Rain Bridge
- another view showing the interior design -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
 
 


Wind and Rain Bridge
- a view towards one of the towers -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
 
 
 


Wind and Rain Bridge
- view -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
 
 
 
 


Wind and Rain Bridge
- view from the bridge towards our guest house -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
 
 
 
 


Wind and Rain Bridge
- and a view to the other side towards village Maan -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
 
 
 


Wind and Rain Bridge
- view from above -
(Photography by Tao Kit Yu)
 
 
 
 


Wind and Rain Bridge
- close up of one of the towers -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)
 

Continue to  THE DONG VILLAGE , - part 2
 

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Updated:  December 6. 2003
               May 23rd. 2004
               Nov. 17th. 2004
               Aug.11.2006
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