Zhang Jianping, a photographer who has been taking pictures of Hui-style architecture for more than two decades. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Apart from Huanxiu Bridge, 47 other historical sites protected at national level in Chengkan village were also damaged by the flood in varying degrees. This is the first time in recent memory that Chengkan had faced such a natural disaster, and there are lessons in rural planning to be learnt, according to Zhang Jianping, the photographer.

The Zhongchuan River upstream is about 200 meters wide but it narrows to just 50 meters at the point where Huanxiu Bridge stands. In ancient times, houses were not allowed to be built on either side of the banks so that there would be a buffer flood zone should the river overflows in the rainy season. In the last decade, however, there has been a build-up of residential and construction projects on both sides of the river, making it impossible for floodwaters to disperse when it reaches the bridge.