Wuhan Yangtze Bridge
Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge, widely known as Wuhan First Yangtze Bridge, was the first and is one of the most famous bridges spanning the Yangtze River.
Where is it?
This easternmost bridge on the Yangtze River crosses the Wuhan section of the river in Central China. It starts from Turtle Hill (Gui Shan) on the northern bank and reaches Sake Hill (She Shan) on the southern bank making it a main traffic artery in Wuhan.
Construction
Wuhan Yangtze Bridge is a double-deck truss bridge carrying both rail and vehicular traffic. It is 1,670 meters long (5,480 ft) with the main span being 128 meters (420 ft). Each end of the bridge has 2 bridge towers, 35 meters (115 ft) tall. The towers have 7 stories and a lift is available for visitors.
The upper deck of the bridge carries a 4-lane highway with a pavement on each side for pedestrians. The lower deck is for the railway that connects Jingguang Railway (Beijing-Guangzhou Railway) and allows 2 trains to pass in opposite directions at the same time. The bridge has 8 piers and each extends 128 meters (420 ft) into the air, which is large enough for huge ships to pass beneath.
Lifts from the bottom of the bridge to the upper deck to connect with the pavement are available. The admission for the lift (single way) is 2 Yuan/person. Standing on the bridge provides a great view of the Yangtze and 3 main districts (Wuchang, Hangyan and Hankou) of Wuhan. The night view is especially brilliant.
Why was it build?
The main 3 districts of Wuhan have played a key role in central China since ancient times. In the late Qing Dynasty, Wuchang was the capital of Hubei Province, Hankou was a big trading port and Hanyang was an industrial town. Dr. Sun Yatsen ever said “Wuhan is a metropolis linking 9 provinces and leading to the ocean, however the Wuhan section of the Yangtze holds back the further development of Wuhan due to the inconvenient transport”.
In the late Qing Dynasty, officials began to think about the possibility of construction of a bridge to link the railways of northern China and Southern China. Zhan Tianyou (an important railway engineer) and Dr. Sun Yatsen played significant roles during the planning and construction. Dr. Sun Yatsen also suggested there ought to be a tunnel or bridge at the mouth of the Han River to link the three cities of Wuchang, Hankou, and Hanyang together into one metropolis."
The bridge construction began on 1st, September 1955 and was opened to the public on 15th, October of 1957. The completion of the bridge made it the first bridge over the Yangtze connecting Northern China and Southern China. It not only boosted the development of Wuhan City and China but also become a must-see attraction in Wuhan. Viewing platform is the best point to appreciate the Yangtze and the bridge.
How to go?
Take Bus NOs 607 and get off at Pinghumen Station(平湖门站) or take Bus NOs 585,596,707 and get off at Wangjiawan Station.(王家湾站)
