Building a bridge to span the traditions of his heritage

Listed as one of the four most famous historical bridges in the world, Chengyang Shelter Bridge (Fengyu Qiao) in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region has an elaborate timber design and structure, remarkably without any screws or metal bolts.

Yang Siyu, the designated rebuilder of the bridge, is the heir to this national intangible cultural heritage style of construction synonymous with the Dong ethnic group. It is called a shelter bridge because traditional dwellings are built on it.

"It's true in Sanjiang Dong autonomous county that when there is river there is a shelter bridge, as our Dong people believe that the timber bridge not only provides a shelter but also keeps bad luck away and brings wind and rain on time," said Yang.