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By kallerna – Wikimedia

Top 5 Bridges to see in Shanghai

Shanghai City which is on Republic of China’s central coast, is the biggest city and a global financial hub. The locals call it Hu city.

Its centrepiece is the Bund, a famous waterfront boardwalk lined with colonial-era buildings. Right across is Huangpu River where Pudong districts’ futuristic skyline rises, mixed with cultural domes and ponds at the Yu Gardens.

The notable skyscrapers include Shanghai Tower and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower with its distinctive pink spheres.

This city is one of the most popular Chinese cities that has drawn both locals and tourists. We have a blog on the 5 Best Cities to visit in China, check out the other cities that you can visit.

In addition to its pulsating commercial and tourism aspects, the bridges in this city need to be in the bucket list because they are fascinating. Here are the top 5 bridges to see in Shanghai.

1. Yangpu Bridge- Cable-stayed bridge

Yangpu Bridge By I, Gribeco -Wikimedia

Yangpu Bridge has a unique design and is one of the leading tourist attractions in Shanghai. It symbolizes a rainbow across the Huangpu River.

This Bridge is 8.3km-long and is located on the Ningguo Road in Yangpu District. It connects Pudong with Puxi, which are on the east and west side of Huangpu River.

It is the fourth largest cable-stayed bridge in the world with a span of 602m. the construction of Yangpu Bridge begun in 1991 was completed in September 1993 and opened to traffic in October of the same year.

By 2006, more than 5,000 vehicles had crossed the bridge in an hour and over 100,000 in a day. the bridge has six lanes of traffic with three in each direction and the architects designed it to resemble a huge dragon over the Huangpu River.

The pedestrian section on the bridge is 2-metres wide on each section that allows sightseeing

The Chinese consider this bridge to be a sister bridge to Nanpu bridge which is the closest bridge with a distance of 11 kilometres between them.

2. Lupu Bridge- through arch bridge

By Walter Lim – Wikimedia

Lupu Bridge was named after Luwan District in Shanghai. It is a through arch bridge running over the Huangpu River connecting the city to Huangpu and Pudong districts.

It is the world’s second-longest steel arch bridge, after the Chaotianmen Bridge in Chongqing. The bridge is 3.9 Kilometres and was opened in 2003.

this bridge has 6 lanes, three on each side and allows sea vessels to pass under it with ease. It is not only a vehicular bridge but also serves as a tourist attraction.

the top section of the arch serves as a sightseeing section where tourists and locals alike can take in the magical scenery below.

One thing to note is that there are over 300 steps that one needs to climb to the platform. if the steps are not your thing, take the high-speed lifts available at the bridge.

The sightseeing area is the size of a basketball court, one can see the 2010 Shanghai Expo grounds.

3. Shanghai Nanpu Bridge- Spiral Bridge

By kallerna -Wikimedia

Nanpu Bridge is the first bridge to cross the Huangpu River from central Shanghai, linking the city to Pudong district across the river. It serves as a major contributor to the ongoing and rapid development of Pudong District.

This bridge was built in 1991 to ease traffic on Yangpu bridge that across Huangpu River. It is 8-kilometres long and the main bridge section being 423 metres making it one of the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world.

The pedestrian section on this bridge is 2 metres wide on each section of the bridge, this allows them to enjoy sightseeing with ease. Some elevators take people up and down to enjoy the view.

The bridge and its curved lanes are a major connection across the river and between Zhongshan South Road and Lu Jiabing Road.

Nanpu’s bridge distinct design and location make it an attraction for locals, visitors, and travellers, it is even more spectacular by night.

It transforms into a flying dragon over the river at night, this effect is created when the lights on the bridge are turned on together with light from the cars in traffic.

4. Fangsheng Bridge, stone arch bridge

By Bernt Rostad – Wikimedia

Fangsheng Bridge is also known as Free Life Bridge. It is the longest, largest and tallest stone bridge in Shanghai City. This bridge has five openings both in Zhujiajiao and in the Shanghai region.

This bridge was originally built in 1571 by monk Xingchao from Cimen Temple. The monks would hold ceremonies on the bridge where they would return live fish into the water. This was done during the reign of Ming and Qing dynasties between the 14^th century and 20^th century.

A renovation of the bridge was done in 1812. Later on, in 1987, the Shanghai Municipal Government took over maintenance of the bridge.

There is a stone plaque on the bridge called Dragon Gate stone and on it is an engraving of 8 coiling dragons in a shining pearl. If you look on top of the bridge, you will see 4 life-size lion sculptures.

5. Waibaidu Bridge- camelback truss bridge

Waibaidu bridge By kallerna – Wikimedia

This bridge is called the Garden Bridge in English and was the first all-steel bridge in China. It is the only surviving example of a camelback truss bridge.

This the fourth bridge in China to borrow a western design since 1856 and is near the estuary of Suzhou Creek and the Bund in central Shanghai.

Waibaidu bridge links Huangpu district and Hongkou district and was officially opened in 1908. This bridge is not only historic but also a symbol of Shanghai.

It has been one of the most outstanding landmarks in the city because of its modern and industrial design, hence the reason you need to see it.

Walking on the bridge, you can enjoy the idiosyncratic scenery on both banks of Suzhou Creek, with old-fashioned lanes at the north end and western buildings on the south.

During the night, the lighting makes the bridge even more stunning and lively. You can see the Bund, the Cenotaph, the People’s Hero and the Bank of China Building.