Beautiful BRIDGES
Landmark, work of art or just a way to get to the other side – cross six extraordinary bridges with us
Spanning the Huangpu River in Shanghai like a mighty dragon, the six lanes of the cable-stayed Nanpu Bridge carry as many as five million cars every day. With its spiral-shaped entry and exit ramps, the unusual design makes it one of the most visually arresting bridges of its kind.
Supported by 1060 wooden piles, the U-Bein Bridge across Taungthaman Lake in Myanmar is 1.2 kilometres in length, making it the longest teak bridge in the world. But don’t even think about crossing the 170-year-old tourist attraction by bike. It is open only to foot traffic, so you’ll have to get off and push your bike across.
The most famous suspension bridge in the world can sway eight metres from side to side in strong winds and sags around five metres when fully loaded. This flexibility explains how the 2737-metre-long Golden Gate Bridge in northern California can withstand the earthquakes that have hit the San Francisco region since it opened in 1937.
The attractions of the Charles Bridge in Prague are set in stone. Forming a guard of honour for pedestrians, the dozens of sculptures that line the bridge across the Vltava River boast saints, angels, kings and sinners among their number. The bridge’s original statues have been replaced by replicas to protect them against vandalism.
The Hussaini Bridge in northern Pakistan is thought to be the world’s most dangerous bridge. Set one foot on this span made of old boards and ropes and you will immediately understand why. The rickety structure, however, is the only way for people from nearby villages to get to the other side of the Hunza River.
The Tower Bridge is one of the most important traffic arteries in London – more than 40,000 people use it to cross the River Thames every day. But even the most famous drawbridge in the world has to give way to shipping traffic. Its two bascules, or leaves, open just wide enough for waiting ships to pass through.