Diping Wind and Rain Bridge

Wind-rain Bridge is a very special wooden architecture that is commonly seen in Hunan, Hubei, Guangxi and Guizhou. Except for the bridge pier, the rest of the bridge is made of wood. Amazingly, there is not a single iron snail. Therefore, the wind-rain bridge is praised as one of the ten most amazing bridges.

 

Wind-rain Bridge won its name from its functions—for the people’s sake of preventing from winds and rains. Wind-rain Bridge is not so much a bridge as a set of pavilions and towers, inside which there are many benches for the pedestrians to take a rest. Along the handrails of the bridge, there are various exquisite local carvings, such as dragons, phoenixes, tigers, flowers and plants. This bridge spans over the crystal stream as a dragon flying in the sky, because the gorgeous design is charming.

As the largest of its kind in Guizhou Province, where China's biggest Dong community lives, Wind and Rain Bridge in Diping is the symbolized architecture of the Dong minority people. It derives the special name because besides providing a method to cross the rivers, it also gives protection from the elements.

The oldest Wind & Rain Bridge in Guizhou Province is Diping Wind & Rain Bridge in Liping County. The bridge is over 56 meters long. It’s first constructed in 1883 during the Qing Dynasty over 100 years ago. However, the original structure was destroyed in a big fire in 1959 and the one visitors see today was a recreation finished in 1964.

It is an amazing folk achievement in architecture and a reflection of the simple customs of the local people as well as a marvelous scene in your expedition.

Some information about Diping Wind-rain Bridge in Guizhou

Opening Hours: the whole day

Ticket Price: free

Location: Miao and Dong Automatic County, Guizhou

Transportation: bus from the city will bring you here, or you can take the taxi (5 CNY for the flag down) here.