Published on: 2026-05-27
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –
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Wooden arched bridges with covered galleries represent an ancient and unique type of structure, embodying the principle of “constructing a bridge over a river, erecting a gallery above the bridge, protecting the bridge with the help of the gallery, and forming a unified whole with the bridge and gallery.” These bridges, demonstrating the craftsmanship of ancient masters, who “weaved wood into an arch without a single nail or metal detail,” are considered “living fossils” in the history of world bridge construction.
Fujian is one of the provinces of China with the largest number of such bridges; here, 547 bridges are preserved, having the status of cultural monuments. The counties of Shouning and Pinnan in the city of Ninde are considered the “homeland of wooden arch bridges with covered galleries in China.”
From 2023 to 2025, since the start of the implementation of the three-year action plan for arch bridges with covered galleries, Fujian Province adheres to the principle “arch bridge comes first, heritage above all,” innovatively applies various scientific and technological means, improves the system of institutional guarantees, and regularly conducts inspections of the arch bridge and annual repair works. In 2023, Fujian Province invested a total of 61.032 million yuan in projects for the restoration of arch bridges, which allowed the creation of a long-term preservation mechanism for the arch bridge.Simultaneously, the Department of Cultural Heritage Affairs of Fujian Province conducted a comprehensive special census of arch bridges. A detailed survey and filming of the main bridges have already been completed, digital archives have been created, the study of the cultural value of these structures and academic interpretation are deepened, which strengthens the foundations for further preservation.
To promote the transmission in an active state and innovative development of ancient arched wooden bridges with covered galleries, Fujian Province pays special attention to the transmission of intangible cultural heritage and the integration of culture with tourism, as well as the training of local masters-builders of wooden arched bridges. In December 2024, the design and construction methods of traditional wooden arched bridges of China were included by UNESCO in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.The millennia-old cultural tradition of arched bridges in the “Min” style (Fujian Province) has gained new life thanks to earlier and active use.
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