What are covered bridges? This is a type of bridge architecture with a covered structure built atop the bridge deck, embodying rich architectural, artistic, and cultural heritage values. It carries historical and cultural significance and remains deeply rooted in daily life. Within the spectrum of cultural heritage, covered bridges hold a distinctive place.

There are 43 extant covered bridges in Anhui Province, including five designated as national key cultural relics protection units, 19 as provincial, municipal, or county-level protected sites, and five newly discovered during the fourth national cultural relics census. Their construction spans from the Yuan to the Ming and Qing dynasties, with most concentrated in Huangshan, Xuancheng, Chizhou, Anqing, and other areas.

To systematically enhance the preservation, research, and utilization of covered bridges in the province, Anhui established a dedicated task force for a three-year action plan on covered bridge protection from 2023 to 2025. This effort was carried out in conjunction with the fourth national cultural relics census to verify the province's covered bridge resources. Cultural relics preservation workers systematically collected image and panoramic data for all 43 covered bridges in Anhui. Using techniques such as 3D information acquisition, drone oblique photography, ground-air panoramic imaging, current condition mapping, and 3D modeling, they achieved high-precision digital documentation of nationally and provincially protected covered bridges and established a resource database for covered bridges in Anhui. Additionally, efforts were made to bring together experts from universities and research institutions to compile and publish monographs such as Covered Bridges in Anhui and One Hundred Bridges in Huizhou, systematically presenting the forms, construction techniques, and preservation status of these structures.

It is reported that this year, in conjunction with the final phase of the fourth national cultural relics census, Anhui will complete the recognition and announcement of newly discovered covered bridges and refine the provincial covered bridge resource database to ensure a clear and comprehensive inventory of resources.

With the refinement of this comprehensive "big data" on covered bridges, efforts to define their protection levels, protection methods, and protection scopes have also been progressively deepened.

Covered bridges are a crystallization of traditional architectural wisdom. As the saying goes, "build roads where mountains stand, and bridges where waters flow." As cultural relics situated in open landscapes, bearing the weight of local daily life year after year, covered bridges also face risks and challenges posed by natural disasters such as extreme weather. Huangshan City has pioneered a preventive protection mechanism known as "seasonal inspections and annual maintenance," utilizing technological means to strengthen the monitoring of bridge stability and safety, achieving notable results. It is understood that the province is strictly implementing the Anhui Province Cultural Relics Safety Inspection Measures, resulting in a significant increase in the coverage of safety protection facilities for covered bridge cultural relics protection units at or above the provincial level.

Covered bridges are not merely historical transportation remnants; they also serve as vibrant spaces for the preservation and transmission of intangible cultural heritage. A covered bridge is more than just a bridge—it is a cultural bond connecting the past and the present, linking historical heritage with contemporary life.

Leveraging the intangible cultural heritage protection systems, such as Huizhou architectural techniques, covered bridge construction and related traditional practices have garnered increased attention. Local traditional craftsmen are participating in covered bridge restoration projects, representative bearers of construction techniques are engaging in conservation and restoration initiatives, and exchanges on restoration techniques are advancing in tandem with talent development.

Source: Anhui Daily