A blueprint for the coordinated development of the cultural heritage of arcade bridges was signed by the intermediate people's courts of Lishui and Wenzhou cities in East China's Zhejiang province and the cities of Ningde and Nanping in China's Southeastern Fujian province on Nov 18, according to local officials.

China's extant ancient arcade bridges are used not only used for transportation and commerce, but also as gathering places to socialize or to worship on special occasions.

Under the agreement, the four cities will establish a data-sharing mechanism and boost judicial protection of the arcade bridges.

Rulong Bridge in Qingyuan county in Zhejiang province. [Photo/IC]

Officials said the arcade bridge, mainly located in southern Zhejiang and northern Fujian, has high traditional aesthetic value and technical content and is a living and working survivor of the ancient wooden bridges of China.

A total of 25 wooden arcade bridges in Lishui already come under State key cultural relic protection. They were built in a variety of ways during different eras, from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) to the Republic of China period (1912-1949).

The Rulong Bridge built in Lishui's Qingyuan county in 1625, is China's oldest surviving wooden arcade bridge with a known construction date.

Local officials said the bridge boasts an elegant exterior and complex craftsmanship.