I searched for “Nanpu Bridge” in Google. Surprisingly, I didn’t see an entry from my site for this topic. I should not be. I believe there should be at least one entry for most any topics in Shanghai in the first page of Google! (Just kidding. I am not that ambitious). However, I found out I really didn’t write about the bridge, which I drive by twice every day in the last three years.
The Three Circles
The most memorable experience to drive along the bridge is the three circles on the Puxi side. You go three one or two or three full circles before you get onto the bridge (depending on where you come from). It is amazing to feel your body is thrown to one side of the car door for like two minutes or longer. From Google maps, you can see this part:
Image in courtesy of Google Maps
P.S. If you are interested about how I added the map, use this code but be sure to get your own map API key.
<script src=”http://maps.google.com/maps?file=api&v=2&key=google_map_key” type=”text/javascript”></script><div id=”map” style=”width: 640px; height: 480px”></div><script type=”text/javascript”>if (GBrowserIsCompatible()) {var map = new GMap2(document.getElementById(“map”));map.addControl(new GSmallMapControl());map.addControl(new GMapTypeControl()); map.setCenter(new GLatLng(31.210117,121.497175), 18, G_SATELLITE_MAP); }</script>
Photos of Nanpu Bridge
This is the photo of the typical H-shaped Nanpu Bridge.
Photography by Wendy Fan
Photography by Wendy Fan
The view from top of the bridge:
Sun set on the west of the city:
Getting on to the bridge:
Leaving the Nanpu bridge:
Nanpu Bridge is symoblic because it is the first bridge connecting the west and east part of the Huangpu River.
You can still get onto the top of the bridge with an elevator. The cost is 5 RMB, and it opens from 8:30 to 5:30 PM. Once upon a time, it was an important attraction for Shanghai. However, recently, fewer and fewer people visit the bridge, since the view from the bridge to the Pearl Tower is completely obstructed by high-rising buildings between them.
Can you tell us how to get to this elevator? Do we need to take a taxi, a bus, or walk?
Nanpu Bridge is a hub bus station. There are many buses like: 43、64、65、89、109、144、801、802、868、869、910、928. From Pudong, there are bus83、588、624、633、637、772. There is no metro yet (there will be #4 by the end of 2007). You can always take taxi there.
You can also walk there (if you are within walking distance…)
Isn’t this bridge that was featured on the Discovery channel, (if not mistaken) for holding a record for being the fastest cable-stay bridge?
nirmalya, I don’t know whether it is featured on Discovery – I didn’t find anything on their website. However, I would believe that Nan Pu bridge was built very fast, since it was the focus of the whole city when it was built, and the two companies are building from two directions, and they are competing on speed, and the speed was reported on newspaper daily… Sounds crazy…
It’s a loooooong bridge. A taxi driver once told me the whole length is abt 5km. Interesting thing is that the curved bridge is designed by s pupil to avoid the large range demolition.
It IS a long bridge. Actually, it is 8346 meters long.
I think the two and half loops spiral landing on the west end bridge is a design fault, it features too many shape and hidden curves and thrill like a roller coaster. I don’t think I wish to negotiate this bridge.
Hehe, now you ARE the top result on Google!
Haha.
I am pretty sure if I write something, especially location names, it will be on the first page of Google. I am sometimes just naughty to try some new names and see how it works in Google. Thanks for letting me know the change in Ranking. Thanks.
OK. Let me claim it: now this page is the first result in Google for keyword: Nanpu Bridge.
Actually, the Nanpu Bridge is not the first bridge connecting the west and east part of the Huangpu River. The Songpu Bridge (松浦大桥), which was built in 1972, is the first built across the Huangpu River.
But to some extent, I agree with you that this bridge is a symbol for the development of Pudong New Area.
hey do you know how height is the bridge?, i mean at what height do you drive on it
Do you have any idea as to what the lettering says across each tower of the span?
Who made the nanpu bridge?
Good question, but I don’t know. In China, most of the architect are credited to a design company, not the chief architect.