National ICH: Traditional design and practices for building Chinese wooden arch bridges (Pingnan)

Wooden arch bridges are a unique architectural marvel in China. Approximately 110 of these bridges remain standing today, primarily concentrated in Zhejiang province, as well as in Shouning county and Pingnan county in Fujian province.

The traditional building techniques for Chinese wooden arch bridges have been recognized as a national-level intangible cultural heritage item under the category of traditional craftsmanship and listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding in 2009.

The origins of this architectural tradition can be traced back 900 years. The earliest documented wooden arch bridge dates back to the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), as depicted in the painting Along the River During the Qingming Festival.

The construction of wooden arch bridges intricate craftsmanship of key features such as mortise and tenon joints for binding, increasing curvature on the inner bridge surface for strength, and incorporating niches, stages, benches, beds, couplets, and stalls for various functions.

The building process includes selecting the site, building the pier, leveling, and building support columns. Given the rainy climate of eastern Fujian, bridges are designed with roofed corridors.

The excavation and salvage of these bridges, along with the preservation of the crafting techniques in Shouning county not only enrich the history of wooden architecture but also preserve Chinese civilization and safeguard national heritage. Given the decline in the number of surviving bridges each year, urgent efforts are needed to rescue and sustain this craftsmanship.