Nanpu Bridge, the spectacular bridge in Shanghai

A good way to recognize the importance of a city crossed by a river is to measure the size and grandeur of its bridges. In the case of Shanghai just take a look at the Nanpu Bridge, the spectacular bridge that crosses the huangpu river.

Nanpu Bridge is the first cable-stayed bridge in China. Its height exceeds 400 meters and its length from shore to shore is 846 meters. Its structure consists of two large H-shaped reinforced towers, each 150 meters high. 22 pairs of steel cables are fanned out to support the main girders.

But undoubtedly the most attractive feature of this magnificent bridge is its peculiar circular design, designed to reduce the gradient of the approach to the bridge while keeping land use to a minimum. From its access to its exit at the other end of the river, the Nanpu Bridge covers exactly 8.346 meters and looks like a great dragon that writhes over the Huangpu River, with its head and tail in the neighborhoods of Puxi, the old city, and Pudong, the most thriving district of Shanghai.

Before the bridge opened in 1991, the only way to get between Puxi and Pudong was by ferry. Today, however, it is estimated that about 120.000 vehicles cross this bridge every day.

More information - Shanghai, beyond the Expo

Images: focus.de