A 121-year-old bridge in the Dong ethnic style that was destroyed by flooding this July will be restored nearly to its original appearance, said an expert on cultural heritage restoration in Guiyang, the capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province, on Sunday.
Located in Liping County, Miao-Dong Autonomous Prefecture, the bridge has been a prime destination for sightseers from around the world. Experts are now designing a detailed plan for repairs, which are expected to be finished by the end of this year.
After the bridge collapsed, local villagers worked for 20 days searching, salvaging and collecting the broken fragments. As a result of their voluntary efforts, 73 percent of the structure has been saved, including 28 main pillars and most appurtenances.
"This timely rescue and salvage provide the foundation to recreate the bridge's former appearance, since some accessories of the original bridge are unavailable today," said Hou Tianyou, director of the Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration.
Just last year, experts recorded details such as measurements and precise location of the bridge, as well as capturing its image in photographs.
Hou said the traditional construction techniques of the Dong people will be used to repair the bridge, and experts from all over the country, together with local artisans, will be invited to participate in the project.
"With these advantages, it is quite possible to restore the original style and appearance of the bridge," he said.
Within the bounds of maintaining its original style, Hou said, the structure will be shored up to prevent future damage from floods. This may include increasing the overall height and reinforcing the pier.
The repairs, co-funded by the local government and the State Administration of Cultural Heritage (SACH), will start as soon as SACH approves the repair plan.
SACH official Wang Jun said that the administration will also provide technical assistance.
Built in 1883, the three-tower bridge is Guizhou's largest in the Dong style: 57.6 meters long and 5.2 meters wide. Built without nails or rivets and considered representative of Dong traditional architecture, the bridge was listed as a cultural heritage site and put under state protection in 2001.
(Xinhua News Agency November 29, 2004)
