Taishun covered bridges are not in a hurry, as one can stroll through Taishun at a leisurely pace

Taishun is a small county nestled in the mountains of southern Zhejiang, bordering Fujian. The mountains are not very high, but they are full of an ethereal charm; the waters are not very deep, but they are spiritually enchanting. If it were only for the clear mountains and beautiful waters, the lush forests and bamboo, perhaps it would not be so captivating, making one's steps involuntarily slow down. It also has beautiful covered bridges that add color to the mountains and rivers, and the scenery gains a soul because of them. There are numerous covered bridges in Taishun, among which fifteen bridges in five towns are of national protected status. Last night, I stayed in a national protected bridge in Yayang Town. It was only in the morning that I discovered the guesthouse I stayed in was an old house, a two-story, three-section compound with a dry railing style, featuring a beautiful pond in the courtyard, surrounded by wooden corridors, stone steps, and lush flowers and trees, all quaint and elegant. The locals said that this place used to be a general's mansion. This is the central house, with another three-section compound next to it called the side house, and there are upper and lower houses; each is a large estate, most of which are being restored. To me, they resemble the grand mansions of local chieftains. The old houses here vary in size and quality, but the style is generally the same. The covered bridges are similar, not many styles, but placed among different landscapes of mountains, forests, and bamboo, they never tire the viewer. The only national protected bridge in Yayang Town, the Pubin Bridge, is not well-known locally. When asked about covered bridges, everyone points to Sixi Town. After some effort, I finally found my way and located the Pubin Bridge. The Pubin Bridge is a flat covered bridge, without soaring arches, appearing very ordinary, but this is how a covered bridge should look. It is not a monument; it is practical, simply wanting to serve the local villagers honestly. Next to the bridge is a spacious pavilion; the bridge was built with donations from villagers from miles around, and when the funds exceeded the need, a tea pavilion was added, and someone was hired to brew tea, offered for free to passing travelers. Of course, that's all in the past now, just like the 2 yuan vegetarian meals at Guoqing Temple mentioned online, it has become a legend. The most beautiful covered bridge in Taishun is in Sixi Town, which is now a scenic area. The Xidong Bridge spans like a real rainbow lying on the waves, with no piers, just a large span of beautiful ochre bridge body. Such a bridge structure is called a woven beam wooden arch bridge, where thick wooden beams are interwoven to form the bridge body, with wooden planks laid on top and a covered gallery built over it, the roof with long ridges and flying eaves, resembling a centipede, hence the locals call it the Centipede Bridge. The stream, the rainbow bridge, the green bamboo, and the lush forest are indescribably beautiful. How could there be anything more beautiful than it! The only thing more beautiful than it could be its sister bridge, the Beijian Bridge. Look at the ancient camphor tree embraced by the covered bridge; who could have such enduring patience to outline this stunning picture over a thousand years. Of the other three national protected bridges in Sixi Town, the Xiaguang Bridge left a deep impression. The Xiaguang Bridge is a stone arch covered bridge; it used to be a wooden covered bridge, but it was destroyed several times by candle fire. Eventually, the local gentry decided to spend more than double the cost to change from wood to stone construction, ensuring the smooth passage of this important route between Zhejiang and Fujian provinces. This illustrates two points: first, wooden covered bridges are an economical solution; second, most covered bridges have a shrine in the middle, and they are also the center of faith for the villagers, who need to burn incense and worship the deities they pray to. In addition, the covered bridge is also the village living room, where villagers chat, exchange, and discuss. Of course, the living room function has almost disappeared now; I only saw two elderly people chatting on a remote old bridge. A day's time is like drinking a cup of spring tea, with a fresh aroma in the early spring, rich at noon, and light in the evening; the quiet and soft light in the evening is cast faintly on the river surface, the ancient stones polished by footsteps, neatly and rhythmically extending to the other shore. This is the Shishui Town step. This most primitive and oldest stone step is the last national protected bridge I visited. Perhaps it is not quite right to call it a bridge, but since it was laid across Shishui Creek, it has crossed generations of destined people.