The center of a famed twelfth-century Song Dynasty scroll painting features delicate interlocking bamboo beams in the graceful arc of a rainbow- the Rainbow Bridge- an archeological icon as well-known in China as the Eiffel Tower is in the West. Ingeniously designed bridges typify China’s inventive past- a society that created paper money, gunpowder and the compass. While not a single Song Dynasty bridge remains, the mystery of their construction continues to puzzle historians, scholars and engineers. Leading experts help NOVA reveal the intricate mysteries behind the revolutionary strength and elegance of the Rainbow Bridge, shedding new light on one of the world’s most brilliant cultures.

- Discover how this unique culture fostered incredible ingenuity that gave the world everything from kites to the abacus - Learn how incredibly strong bridges were constructed from nothing more than bamboo - Understand how thousands of bridges unified the diverse landscape - Span a gorge with an authentically re-created Song Dynasty bridge - Hear experts reveal how China’s technical wizardry went unrivaled in the West for centuries

Secrets of Lost Empires II Unlock mysteries and uncover lost history with the experts as they use yesteryear’s thrilling technology to recreate five ancient engineering marvels and to discover what daily life was really like in these communities. Travel around the globe from China to Egypt and take a fresh, hands-on look at mankind’s greatest cultures and civilizations. It’s history from a whole new point of view!