The Rainbow Bridge

 
 
Qinghua Town, which has over 1000 years' history, has abundant tourism resources. The most famous Rainbow Bridge scenic spot is located on the river in north part of the town, which is an important spot on the Wubei tourism line. It takes Rainbow Bridge as the main body, and is combined with other landscapes including the corridor bridge in the dream - Rainbow Bridge It is built in the beginning of the Song Dynasty,though it was built 800 years ago, during the Southern Song Dynasty, the bridge stands as sturdy as ever, and is used by the villagers every day.

One must pass through the oldest lane in Wuyuan to get to the bridge. Built during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the lane is so narrow that people must turn to the side when they meet on the way through. The walls on both sides are covered with thick, rain-streaked 140 meters in length and 7 meters in width, the Rainbow Bridge is an architectural masterpiece that includes five corridors and six pavilions. Locals also refer to it as the Corridor and Pavilion Bridge. The bridge remains in perfect condition, surviving even a major flood in 1954. According to my tour guide, the Rainbow Bridge has always managed to stay above the water level thanks to a nearby stone dam which helps flood control, regulates silts, ensures the survival of the river's aquatic life, and protects the bridge from torrential waters.

At other parts of the river, similar stone dams were built in ancient times, but the locals didn't realize how important they were until they destroyed them. About one and a half kilometers downstream there used to be a wooden bridge that was constructed in a unique shape.

The bridge was also protected by a stone dam, and the river at that point was flanked by of centuries-old woods. Spurred on by their fancy for the modern and new, the villagers tore down the old bridge and replaced it with one of cement, and demolished the dam. But in 1999, a major flood struck the area, carrying huge deposits of sands downstream, destroying the ancient woods and dramatically narrowing the river.