A Bridge of Tradition and Craftsmanship
The Dexing Vine Bridge, located in the Dexing Township west of Medog County, once elegantly spanned the Yarlung Zangbo River. Crafted from white vines, this 200-meter-long marvel required over 3,600 kilograms of vine and the collective effort of 20 people over 10 days to complete.
The construction process began by splitting the vines in half to achieve the desired length, stretching 35 vine ropes across the river, and then securing 25 vine circles (each with a diameter of 1.6 meters) evenly across the bridge. These circles, placed about 10 meters apart at roughly the height of a person, created a unique walking surface that vibrated amusingly with each step.
A Historical Perspective
Historical records, including an account from July 30, 1911, by Qing dynasty military commander Liu Zanting in his “Record of the Savages of the Southwest Returning to Civilization,” detail the experience of crossing these vine bridges. Liu described several vine bridges suspended in the air at narrow points between riverbanks, reportedly made from long cliffside vines connected by monkeys to form bridges capable of carrying humans over time.
Chen Quzhen, another Qing commander, offered a vivid description in his “Wilderness Dream,” referring to these bridges as “dragon-shaped” and “hollow like bamboo,” creating a tunnel-like sensation for those crossing, a truly unique spectacle.
Navigating the Bridge
Crossing the Dexing Vine Bridge was an adventure in itself. The bridge’s elasticity required pedestrians to adjust their steps to the bridge’s movements—lifting a foot with each bounce and stepping forward as it descended. This created a sensation of walking through a curved tube, with every step sending ripples along the bridge’s length, offering a thrilling experience.
The End of an Era
By 1997, the Dexing Vine Bridge was abandoned, a relic of a bygone era. During the 1950s and 60s, Medog boasted four vine bridges and over a hundred vine zip lines. However, these traditional structures have gradually disappeared, replaced by modern steel cable bridges that offer greater safety but lack the historical and cultural significance of their predecessors. The traditional vine bridges and zip lines of Medog now live on only in memory, a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of past generations.
The story of the Dexing Vine Bridge serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between preserving cultural heritage and embracing modernization. As we forge ahead, it’s vital to remember and honor the marvels of human creativity and the ways in which our ancestors harmonized with nature to overcome challenges.
