Chinese people have built tens of thousands bridges over past thousands of years. The bridges have become an important symbol of Chinese ancient civilization, and demonstrate the intelligence and talent of ancient Chinese people. The oldest bridge still in existence and standing strong in china is the Anji Bridge constructed during the years between 595 and 605.
Ancient Chinese bridges are universally acknowledged and have enjoyed high prestige in the bridge history of both the East and the West. Throughout history, the Chinese nation has erected thousands of ingeniously designed and magnificent bridges. Crossing over mountains, spanning rivers, they have facilitated transportation, beautified landscapes and have become one of the marks of ancient Chinese civilization.
In modern times in particular during the infrastructure boom of the past two decades, bridge-building has proceeded at a rapid pace on a vast scale. Prior to the completion of the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge in 1957, there were no bridges across the Yangtze River, China's longest, from Yibin to Shanghai, and all overland roads and railways crossing this 2,884 km (1,792 mi.) stretch of the river had to be ferried. There were only seven such bridges in 1992, but that number reached 73 by the end of 2012, including eight new openings in that year alone. In fact out of the top 35 longest bridges in the world China have built 17 of them.
In last decade, China has constructed the most tall buildings, bridges and railways in the world, and educated the greatest number of engineering students, all of which requires advancement in Science, Engineering & Technology (SET).
Here we list 8 Great Ancient Bridges and 9 Grand Modern Bridges in China.
China's Great Ancient Bridges
1. Zhaozhou Bridge
Known as "China's first bridge", the Zhaozhou Bridge is located in Zhao county, Hebei province. It was constructed by stonemason Li Chun of Sui Dynasty 1,400 years ago. It is the oldest bridge in the world. [Photo/Xinhua]
2. Shuanglong Bridge
Located in Jianshui, Yunnan province, the Shuanglong Bridge with 17 apertures was constructed in Qing Dynasty.[Photo/Xinhua]
3. Rainbow Bridge
Located in Wuyuan, Jiangxi province, the Rainbow Bridge was constructed in Song dynasty more than 800 years ago. The 140 meter-long bridge has five apertures and four piers. [Photo/Xinhua]
4. Qiandao Bridge
Located in Shaoxiang, Zhejiang province, the 382 meter long Qiandao Bridge was constructed in Tang dynasty and repaired in Qing Dynasty (1862). [Photo/Xinhua]
5. Bishui Bridge
Located in Qufu, Shandong province, the Bishui Bridge was constructed in Ming Dynasty. [Photo/Xinhua]
6. Chengyang Bridge
Located in Sanjiang, Guangxi province, the Chengyang Bridge was constructed in 1912. It was a treasure of China's wood building. [Photo/Xinhua]
7. Anping Bridge
Located in Jinjiang, Fujian province, the Anping Bridge is 2,070 meters long. [Photo/Xinhua]
8. Guangji Bridge
Located in Chaoan, Guandong province, the Guangji Bridge was constructed in Southern Song Dynasty (1170). The 515 meter long bridge has 24 piers. [Photo/Xinhua]
China's Grand Modern Bridges
1. Hangzhou Bay Bridge
Hangzhou Bay Bridge is the world's longest cross-sea bridge, 36 km in total. Hangzhou Bay Bridge started constructing on November 14, 2003, passed through on June 26, 2007, and put into use on May 1, 2008.
2. Donghai bridge, China
It was completed on December 10, 2005. It has a total length of 32.5 kilometers (20.2 mi) and connects mainland Shanghai and the offshore Yangshan deep-water port in China.
3. Jiaozhou Bay Bridge
The Jiaozhou Bay Bridge (or Qingdao Haiwan Bridge) is a length of 42.5 km, the longest bridge built over water in the world in 2011. It was completed in January 2011 and connects the old city of Qingdao on the south coast of the Shandong Peninsula to the west of the Jiaozhoubucht city of Huangdao and shortens the connection to the airport and Qingdao Liuting . The opening and release to traffic took place on 30 June 2011.
4. Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge
Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge hosts a train line that runs between Shanghai and Nanjing in East China’s Jiangsu province. There’s a 9 km long section that flies over the open water of Yangcheng lake. The Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge is the world's longest bridge. It is a 164.8-kilometre (102.4 mi) long viaduct on the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway.
5. "Overwater" Highway Bridge
China opens their newest engineering masterpiece on August 9th 2015. Locals have been referring to it as the “Over-Water” highway. It’s the first eco-friendly highway built over water in China and boasts beautiful scenic views spanning a 10.9km distance around the country’s mountainous Hubei Province landscape. A 4.4km section of the highway was built over the river valley and connects to the G42 express highway which links Shanghai to Chengdu.
6. Weinan Weihe Grand Bridge
The Weinan Weihe Grand Bridge (渭南渭河特大桥) is a part of the Zhengzhou–Xi'an High-Speed Railway which connects Zhengzhou and Xi'an, in China. The bridge is 79,732 metres (261,588 ft) (49.5 Miles) long crossing the Wei River twice, as well as many other rivers, highways and railways.
7. Tianjin Grand Bridge
Tianjin Grand Bridge is 113.7 km long railway bridge connecting Langfang and Qingzian. It is one of the longest bridges in the world. It was completed in 2010 and operational for public use in 2011. It is also hold record in Guinness world records as second longest bridge in the world.
8. Beijing Grand Bridge
Beijing Grand Bridge is a 48.153 kilometres (29.921 mi) long railway viaduct on the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway, located in Beijing. It was completed in 2010 and opened in 2011. It is one of the longest bridges in the world.
9. Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge
One of the on-going China's Mega Bridge Project, the "Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macao Bridge" has entered the final stage in construction.
The Bridge consists of a series of bridges, 2 man-made artificial islands and undersea tunnels that will connect Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai, three major cities on the Pearl River Delta (PRD) in China.
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