Bridge and the Scenery of West Sea

2020-10-04

Where there are mountains, water, and islands, there must be a bridge.

The bridge spans across waters and mountains, displaying a myriad of beautiful forms.

Connecting islands to the forest, threading pearls into a string;

Soaring through the air, they complement each other in radiant splendor.

Compose a beautiful poetic ode to the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature—a tale of mountains, waters, islands, and culture.

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Yunju Island Lotus Water Pavilion

The waters of Lushan West Sea are vast and boundless, dotted with thousands of islands arranged like stars in the night sky. The bridges connecting these islands are equally diverse and fascinating, each with its own unique shape and character. Whether elegant and graceful, quaint and unusual, brilliantly colorful, or simply unadorned and rustic, these bridges stand quietly amidst the breathtaking scenery of Lushan West Sea, leaving visitors captivated and reluctant to depart.

Arch bridge

The arch bridge is one of the four basic types of traditional Chinese bridges. Classified by structural materials, arch bridges are mainly divided into stone bridges and wooden bridges; depending on the number of spans, they can be either single-span or multi-span. Most arch bridges are stone bridges, while a small number are wooden structures known as piled-beam arch bridges.

Spanning waterways with bridges—such beauty of artistic conception is akin to a painted masterpiece. Arch bridges embody China’s traditional aesthetic sensibilities. The Zhaozhou Bridge and the Lugou Bridge, among others, are exquisite masterpieces of ancient Chinese arch bridges, renowned throughout the world.

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Yunju Island Moonlight Bridge

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Ruoxi Island Nine-Arch Bridge

Goddess Island's Magpie Bridge

Nine-Bend Bridge

The Nine-Bend Bridge, as its name suggests, is a bridge that winds and curves in nine distinct bends. The number “nine” is the largest odd number in the numerical system; in ancient times, there were sayings such as “nine nines bring one back to unity” and “the dignity of the ninth dynasty,” both of which succinctly encapsulate the profound auspiciousness and nobility associated with the number nine. Thus, the Nine-Bend Bridge carries with it the richest and most auspicious symbolism.

Canghai Island Nine-Bend Bridge

Pontoon bridge (boat bridge)

A pontoon bridge (or floating bridge) is a type of movable bridge constructed by placing beams atop boats or floating boxes and then laying a bridge deck over them. Historical records indicate that the earliest known instance of such a bridge appeared in China. The "Great Odes of the Book of Songs—Da Ya: Da Ming" recounts: "He welcomed his bride at the Wei River, building boats to serve as a bridge." This passage refers to King Wen of Zhou, Ji Chang, who, in 1184 B.C., erected a pontoon bridge across the Wei River—the earliest recorded instance of a floating bridge ever built in the world. By using boats as temporary bridges that could be quickly assembled when needed and dismantled afterward, this ingenious invention transformed conventional fixed bridges into movable ones—a creative innovation of ancient Chinese engineers. Because pontoon bridges are movable, they must be equipped with transitional ramps or elevating gangways on both banks to ensure seamless connectivity and accommodate fluctuations in water levels.

Mingzhu Island Fishing Boat Bridge

Hua Gu Shan Golden Dragon Bridge

Xihai Star Mountain-Sea Bridge

Suspension bridge

Suspension bridges, also known as hanging bridges, rope bridges, or cable-stayed bridges, are large bridges supported and suspended by a framework of bamboo cables, rattan ropes, iron chains, or other similar materials. In ancient texts, they were referred to as "gengqiao," "zhaqiao," and "shenqiao." Many foreign bridge experts believe that suspension bridges originated in China, noting that "China had already begun constructing hanging bridges around 3,000 years ago." Written records of suspension bridge construction first appeared during the Qin and Han dynasties; for instance, Li Bing of the Qin dynasty once built a bamboo-cable bridge southwest of Chengdu in Sichuan, which was named "Yili Bridge." Suspension bridges offer an intensely immersive experience and evoke a sense of thrilling adventure—just as ancient people described them: "People seem to hang mid-air, crossing deep ravines; a moment's carelessness could send one plummeting into an endless abyss." The Lushan Xihai Suspension Bridge, also known as the "Grandma's Bridge," is one of the most popular recreational activities enjoyed by tourists.

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Sangtian Island Grandmother's Bridge

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Wooden House Town, Haihun Bridge

You stand on the bridge, gazing at the scenery; the one who’s gazing at the scenery is looking up at you from the building. The bright moon adorns your window, and you, in turn, adorn someone else’s dreams.

The interplay of mountain scenery, water colors, and bridges together forms a sumi-e painting, melting into the poet’s eyes and lingering on the painter’s brush. The very presence of the bridge lends an added charm to the Lushan West Sea landscape, imbuing the mountains and waters with spirit and turning them into the finishing touch that elevates the entire scene.

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The Joyful Paradise nestled amidst the most beautiful lake and mountain scenery.

Amid the gentle, leisurely rain, I wander through a ink-and-wash painting—exploring West Sea by boat in the rain.

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