18 boat bridge

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I tried searching for the proper name of this bridge but i only found 1 flicker entry and a yahoo search of the name from the flicker entry gave me the yangtze river instead... So.. from the flicker entry: Syantse Bridge. I can't say i know much or even anything at all about this bridge but i saw it and i loved it. So quoting somewhere off the web:

'Each pier of the Syantse Bridge has a history of hundreds of years and the whole bridge was first built in the year 1171 in China’s Song Dynasty. It was built as a float bridge linked by 84 huge boats and beside two banks of the immense River Han at that time. For the late hundreds of years,the reconstruction and decoration has not been stopped. Till Ming Dynasty, it has become one of the most beautiful and famous bridges in China,and the bridge was made up with 24 piers with 24 different pavilions while in the middle part of the bridge there are 18 shuttle boats which can be separated during the flood time. This invention was praised as “The pioneer open-close type bridge in the world” by famous bridge expert Mao Yisheng.'


Interesting isn't it? Even when there was no technological know-hows humans can adapt and think of creative ways to make life easier for themselves. It used to be free to walk across this bridge for locals as I was told by my 1st Uncle many times on our way there. It now costs 10Y for locals, 50Y for tourists like me and 25Y for the erm.. elderly tourists like my Aunt. Each pavilion was similar yet distinctive in little ways. There was some audio playing at some of the pavilions but the wind drowns it out most of the time. The 18 boats have of course been locked down rather permanently now. I'm not sure the 18boats were the same kind used in the older days as it looks rather un-ridable if there is such a word.

As we walked out from the bridge, we were greeted by several rickshaw riders offering us a ride along the old city walls for a fee. Being locals and having our own transport, we declined. But 'no' is not an answer easily taken in China and the rickshaw riders follow us for at least 20 steps before the left. But they were quickly followed by a couple demanding for money. Yes, demanding is the word as they were pulling on my Uncles were quickly moved me and my Aunt away. The couple followed us all the way to Xipeng's van and only left after my 3rd Uncle gave them what they wanted.

We drove off and headed for a temple on the other side of the bridge and some vegetarian lunch. And as i mentioned, i will not be diving into other sights in Taejiu as i really do not know much about them. Dinner back at Xipeng's house was a great mix of local delights like Oyster Omelettes and Fried Carrot Cakes bought from the market nearby. We also had goose from one of my aunts from Chaozhou and some dishes Xipeng's wife whipped up for us.

The next day we went to the house of the aunt who gave us the goose for dinner last night as her village was having some celebration going on. A chef was on hire for the occasion and he brought all his tools of the trade over to her house and cooked us lunch on the spot with his own wok and steamer. This lunch was a huge affair was all my 3uncles and 5aunts and several of their kids came by for it. After lunch, Xipeng drove the kids back to school and the adults quickly broke into 2 groups for some after lunch chit chat. The 2 groups are.... the males and the females!

As night falls and packing is being done, I know it is time to say goodbye to my no longer unknown relatives in Taejiu, Swatao and head towards the rest of Tegswa namely Ameung...




Translation from Teochew: Taejiu = Chaozhou, Swatao= Shantou, Tegswa=China, Ameung=Xiamen =)

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Comments

[Heather]

Faith, I really enjoyed your China post. It reminded me of my time there. My blog is looking for some good travel photos. If you have time, email us some at [e-mail] or check us out at dirty-hippies.blogspot.com Continued fun on your travels, Heather