Dream of the Covered Bridge: An Ancient Ming Dynasty Bridge Hidden in the Mountains

"A cluster of peaks called Seven Aunts, did the Seven Aunts ever come and go here? The east wind blows to the top of the peak, but I see no trace, only green weeds." This is a poem by Ming Dynasty poet Wang Pu, praising Shuizhukeng Village in She County. The village was first built in the Song Dynasty and flourished in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It has a history of nearly 800 years and has been included in the list of Traditional Chinese Villages. The village is located at the junction of Jixi, Xuancheng City and She County, Huangshan City, very close to Zhangshan Grand Canyon. Its biggest highlight is the ancient Ming Dynasty covered bridge at the entrance of the village. Geography The south side of the village is backed by Qigu Peak, a mountain with unique formations. Its peaks resemble a giant wearing a hat lying on its back, also known as the Great Man Peak. History The village got its name from the abundance of water bamboo and was formed by the Ke clan settling there. Throughout history, it has produced many outstanding talents, renowned in the Xin'an region. According to the Xin'an Ke Clan Genealogy, our Ke clan originated in Chiyang. The descendants of Song Dynasty official Ying Gong came to Huizhou as officials and settled in various places in She and Ji. In the fourth year of Shaoding (1231), Zheng San Gong moved to Zhu Creek and settled there. Deyue Covered Bridge ⭐A single-arch ancient bridge, more than ten zhang long and three zhang wide, with an arch diameter of five zhang. This bridge was built during the Longqing and Wanli periods of the Ming Dynasty and was rebuilt on the fourth day of the eighth lunar month of the year Bingzi (1876) in the Guangxu period. The covered bridge spans the Huayuan River, like a rainbow, and is located on a major transportation route between She County and Jixi. The sight along the way is far more stunning than Beixi Covered Bridge in She County, which the author visited 24 years ago. Standing on the ancient city wall and overlooking the ancient bridge, listening to the sound of the flowing spring, seeing ten miles of peach blossoms and falling petals, it is like a paradise. There are also three ⭐stone archways by the creek. The stone archways were erected to commend the "chastity" and "loyalty" of Madam Wu, wife of Duke Huaguo, Madam Wang, wife of Duke Huafu, and Madam Zhou, wife of Duke Yu. They were erected at the request of Zeng Guofan and Yu Lu, the governor of Anhui (recorded in the genealogy), and were built during the Xianfeng, Tongzhi, and Guangxu periods of the Qing Dynasty, respectively. Other Highlights of the Village Sheji Stone Slab Ancient Road, Ke Clan Ancestral Hall "Zhonghe Hall", branch ancestral hall "Yuqing Hall", "Chunhui Study", "Juyi Thatched Cottage", "Banfang Garden", "Shuikou Pavilion", "Stone River Railing", etc. Address: Qizi Li Town, She County, Anhui Province Navigation: "Shuizhukeng Village", can be visited together with Zhangshan Grand Canyon.