Culture: Architecture 建筑 · Historic Bridges 古桥
Wind and Rain Bridges 风雨桥

'Wind and Rain' bridges are a traditional bridge form suitable for crossing smaller streams, often in the vicinity of villages. There are quite a few such bridges left in the Yunlong area.

'Wind and Rain' bridges are constructed starting from the stone bridge foundations, slowly extending the wooden base from either side until the construction meets in the middle. Because of this technique resembling two arms stretching out, these types of bridges are also called 'outstretched arm wooden beam bridges' 伸臂木梁桥. Above the bridge a roof is then constructed so that the bridge resembles a covered corridor, giving this type of bridge yet another name: 'corridor bridge' 廊桥. 

Inside these bridges there are often benches running alongside, giving travellers the chance to rest on the bridge, seek shelter during wind and rain, thus their common name: 'Wind and Rain Bridges' 风雨桥. Because of this convenience, some of these bridges are also used to set up stall to sell things.