Today we are about to cross 9 of the most intriguing bridges in the world.
9. Living Root Bridges, State of Meghalaya, India
Found throughout Northeast India, these unique bridges are literally alive! They are made by hand from the roots of rubber trees which are guided through tree trunks that have been deliberately positioned across narrow bodies of water until the roots reach the opposite side. It can take as long as a decade-and-a-half to complete and the most durable ones can last for centuries as the roots strengthen and regenerate themselves.
8. Oresund Bridge, Sweden and Denmark
Half tunnel, half bridge, this shared Swedish/Danish structure serves both trains and motor vehicles across the Oresund straight. First opened in July 2000, is a true engineering marvel to behold; providing breathtaking views of both countries. From the Swedish side, the bridge extends over the water at a length of roughly 5 miles (8 km). Once it reaches the artificial island of Peberholm, Denmark can be reached via an underground tunnel that runs an additional 2 ½ miles (5km).
7. The Murinsel, Graz, Austria
This shell-shaped platform (Is it a bridge? Island? Boat?) that floats on the Mur River was commissioned to commemorate Graz’s being awarded the honor of 2003 European Capital of Culture. It can be accessed via footbridges on either side of the river. The Murinsel contains an amphitheater for holding events, a cafe for relaxing over a perfect cup of coffee and even a playground for children!
6. Jiaozhou Bay Bridge, Shandong Provice, China
At nearly 26 miles long (41.6km) Jiaozhou Bay Bridge has been acknowledged by the Guinness World Records as the world’s longest bridge over water in terms of aggregate length. It is also believed to be the world’s first interchange. It forms a T-shape, allowing traffic to Huangdao to the west, Qingdao to the east and Hongdao to the north. It shaves off around 30 minutes of travel time between Huangdao and Qingdao, aside from proving that there are no limits to what human engineering can accomplish!
5. Royal Gorge Bridge, Cañon City, Colorado
Opened in 1929 and located within the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park amusement park, Royal Gorge Bridge held the title of world’s tallest bridge for more than 70 years. The bridge is 1,260 feet (384 m) long and 150 feet (46 m) high. Today it remains the highest suspension bridge in America. It contains a skycoaster attraction, funicular and aerial tram, all of which provide incredible views of the Royal Gorge. Small passenger cars are also permitted to cross, but only during the amusement park’s non-open hours.
4. Nanpu Bridge, Shanghai, China
Situated above the Huangpu River, regarded as the most important river in Shanghai, the Nanpu Bridge is one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the world. Its creation made it possible to link the highly-developed Puxi District with the far less-developed Pudong District. But what really makes it stick out is its architectural beauty. At night, its spiral approaches light up, giving it the appearance of a dragon. This feature has made it a popular tourist attraction for visitors of Shanghai.
3. Eshima Ohashi Bridge, Japan
The third largest rigid-frame bridge in the world, this structure connects several administrative regions of Japan together over Nakaumi Lake. The so-called “rollercoaster bridge” has achieved fame thanks to its deceptive appearance. While the slope’s gradient is only 6.1%, when viewed close up from certain angles, it appears that cars are driving up an impossibly steep incline.
2. Loopgraafbrug , Halsteren, Netherlands
The Loopgraafbrug, which translates from Dutch to Trench Bridge, serves as a pedestrian walkway to Fort Pinssen, which is surrounded by a moat. But rather than building it over the moat, a decision was made to construct a partially submerged bridge. The bridge appears to divide the moat waters in half, thus it has been given the nickname Moses Bridge. It is built so low that people can cross it virtually undetected, except for the occasional bobbling head of taller pedestrians.
1. Lucky Knot Bridge, Changsha, China
This pedestrian bridge in the South-Central city of 7 million makes it to the top of the list due to the way it combines esthetics with cultural symbolism. Opened at the end of 2016, the bridge was built over Dragon King Harbor River and connects to various parks, roads and riverbanks. The inspiration for its design was the ancient Chinese folk art of knotting, which is believed to bring good luck. LED lamps have been installed, offering a spectacular light show. The bridge also provides beautiful views of the city, river and nearby mountains.
