April 14, 2012

Meet the Dragon Bridge

Gently floating down the pristine Yulong River on bamboo rafts, surrounded by the romantic karst hills of Guangxi (also shown here and here) and shrouded in a soft mist, we passed under the charming 600-year-old Yulong "Meet the Dragon" Bridge.

 Guangxi, 2007

Local legend has it that a dragon from the East Sea came by and was so enthralled by the stunning scenery that he decided to stay. Not content to move around only at night, he was spotted by the villagers, who thereafter called the river Yulong, meaning meet the dragon.


This ancient single arch stone bridge is linked with the blogging communities at Weekend Reflections and Sunday Bridges.

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UPDATE: I am raising funds to get TWO children OUT of the charcoal factories in the Manila squatter community of Ulingan and INTO school.


I am thrilled that with the contributions of my fellow bloggers and friends I reached my first goal of sponsoring one child to school. I've raised the goal to TWO scholarships.

If you care to help too, chip in $5, $10, $20 or whatever you can in the secure CHIP IN form on the top of my right sidebar. 

I posted a longer introduction a few days ago.

Project PEARLS: Peace, Education, Aspiration, Respect, Love, Smile

23 comments:

Unknown said...

This has to be the perfect bridge reflection. Very romantic.

joo said...

it's like a dream, Francisca!
By the way, I also prefer red wine, but sometimes, especially in summer white is welcome. They make really nice white wine in Moravia:)
Have a great weekend!

Simon said...

Beautiful reflection and I love the story that goes with. Wondering if those mountains/hills in the back drop looked like a dragon. Who knows?
Hope all is well my friend. Have a great weekend.

Kay L. Davies said...

I can understand why the dragon loved the scenery, Francisca, stunning indeed.
I am equally stunned by the photo of the children in the charcoal factory. Little bitty children. It breaks my heart. I will send the rest of the money you need to get a child out of there.
K

Vicki/Jake said...

WOW! To the bridge and legend, to Kay with the comment above mine, and to you:) Stay safe xox

Francisca said...

Kay and Vicki... A HUGE thank you to both of you for your care and contributions! I am so grateful with the heartfelt response to this small fundraising effort that I am INCREASING my goal and going for sponsoring a SECOND child!

forgetmenot said...

Wonderful photo of a lovely place. Beautiful bridge. Have a great weekend. Mickie :)

Halcyon said...

What a beautiful bridge! I love that it makes a circle when reflected - an infinite round of peace and serenity. :)

Sylvia K said...

This is such an exquisite capture of an incredibly beautiful place! The perfect picture of peace and serenity! Thank you for sharing the beauty, Cisca! And thanks to Kay for her kindness and generosity as well as your loving concern for these children!

Sylvia

Shooting Parrots said...

The bridge is perfect and it looks so well made.

Unknown said...

Stunning pics Francisca. What a lovely place.

Rob Siemann said...

What a wonderful place! There be dragons indeed?

Cezar and Léia said...

The bridge is beautiful and I love the way you show us the mountains behind the bridge! Very well done!
Léia

Birdman said...

What a day this must have been. Such a bridge...

Al said...

What a stunning bridge and the scenery is exquisite. Wonderful photos!

Powell River Books said...

I can see why even a dragon would want to stay, lovely. - Margy

Sallie (FullTime-Life.com said...

I don't blame that dragon! How peaceful to float that river on a bamboo raft. Lovely.

David Murphy said...

Cisca, The photos are great and it sounds like an unforgettable, marvelous experience. In view of the condition of the rivers here, I wonder how they have managed to keep it pristine. Is the little shack near the river by the bridge similar to a squatter shack here, with the same context of poverty, desperation and risk? Somehow I think not but, if so, the beauty of the place is even more poignant.

VioletSky said...

I don't blame the dragon for coming out during the day. This is absolutely stunning scenery!

EG CameraGirl said...

Wow! The bridge photos are gorgeous, Francisca!

genie said...

I have been out of commission all week so missed all the memos since last Sunday. I wrote about my week in my blog...one that I do NOT want to repeat ever. The fires around our farm are still only at 30% contained which is NOT good. I already have all my docs, my violin, and jewelry box ready to go if they knock on the door. Thank goodness the computers are all up and running again. A week without them is not any fun. Your bridge this week looks like one from Brigadoom the movie...magical and mystical. Your shots are awesome. genie

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

so round that it looks like an old fashion dressing table mirror.

Unknown said...

WOW! Absolutely gorgeous! I think the top one might be one of your best shots and you have a lot of fantastic ones.