JAPANESE COVERD BRIDGE - THE BEAUTY OF TIME.

Noone having arrived in Hoi An could forget an ancient and marvelous site- Japanese Covered Bridge ( JCB). Not so exquisite as Effel Tower, but JCB is considered as one of the oldest and the most elegant bridges in Vietnam.

Conecting Tran Phu St. with Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St., Japanese Covered Bridge ( JCB) was constructed in the middle of the 16th century by Japanese merchants in Hoi An. Due to natural disaster, Japanese Covered bridge was restored so many times that it gradually lost its original Japanese architecture style and was impacted by Vietnamese and Chinese design. The bridge was provided with a roof which was arched shape and skilfully carved with many fine patterns. Over the door, 3 Chinese characters “ LaiVan Kieu” (it means Bridge for Passers-by From Afar) were carved prominently to name the bridge by Nguyen Phuc Chu Lord in his trip to Hoi An in 1719.

The two entrances to the bridge are guarded by a pair of monkeys on one side and a pair of dogs on the other. According to legend, these once lived anenormous monster called Cu whose head was in India, its tail in Japan and its body in Vietnam. Whenever the monster moved, terrible disaster such as floods and earthquake befell these places. Thus, aprat from the purpose of transportation, building the bridge aslo is to speak-killing the monster to preserve safe and peaceful life.

Japanese Covered Bridge is an invaluable property and has been officially selected to be the symbol of Hoi An. Each year, Hoi An city in general and JCB in particular are attracting more and more tourists from all over the world to come here and enjoy their trips in one of the most wonderful sites in Vietnam tourism. With the local travel services, JCB has not disappointed both international and domestic travellers. Conversely, almost all are prone to come back in the nearest future.