Beijian Bridge in Sixi township, Taishun county of Wenzhou city, Zhejiang province, was first built in 1674, and is known as one of the world’s most beautiful covered bridges. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Mugong Langqiao — wooden arch covered bridges — stand as elegant testaments to human ingenuity. Built without a single metal nail or rivet, these architectural marvels rely solely on intricate mortise-and-tenon joinery, gracefully spanning rivers for centuries like rainbows arched over misty mountain waters.

In the rugged mountainous borderlands of East China's Fujian and Zhejiang provinces, 843 such bridges still endure, according to the final report of the 2023-2025 National Covered Bridge Preservation Initiative. Across the entire country, the total rises to 2,193.

"Langqiao were once the heartbeat of local communities," Pan Jiandong, deputy director of the culture, radio, television, tourism, and sports department of Taishun county in Zhejiang, said.

"They didn't just connect villages — they served as shelters from rain, bustling marketplaces, information hubs, and even places of worship."

Pan, speaking during a recent media trip organized by the National Cultural Heritage Administration in mid-May, added, "As times have changed, these bridges have become deeply intertwined with the cultural identity of the Taishun people."

The origins of these remarkable structures trace back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Their ancient construction techniques were on the brink of extinction amid rapid modernization until conservation efforts intensified in the early 2000s.

Wenxing Bridge in Xiaocun township, Taishun county of Wenzhou city, Zhejiang province, was first built around 1857. [Photo by Lin Zongyi/Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A major milestone came in December 2024, when "traditional designs and practices for building Chinese wooden arch bridges," listed in 2009 on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, were transferred onto UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Su Xudong, a scholar of Chinese wooden arch bridges in Fujian's Pingnan county, who participated in drafting the nomination materials for the heritage's UNESCO designation, emphasizes what makes these bridges truly special. "While covered bridges exist around the world, wooden arch bridges of this sophistication are unique to China," he said.

"The core technology lies in 'beam-weaving' — an ingenious system to ensure components of the bridge arch interlock tightly and securely," Su explained. "This has allowed Chinese craftsmen to create the world's largest timber-only arched structures. UNESCO experts also praised this heritage for embodying the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature."

Today, these ancient engineering wonders have become favorite subjects for photographers and a growing draw for cultural tourists. From the mist-shrouded mountains of Taishun to the scenic river valleys of Ningde, each bridge tells a silent story of resilience, craftsmanship, and living heritage.

Xuezhai Bridge in Sankui township, Taishun county of Wenzhou city, Zhejiang province. [Photo by Lei Zheng/Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Yongqing Bridge in Sankui township, Taishun county of Wenzhou city, Zhejiang province, was built in 1797. [Photo by Lei Zheng/Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]