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SINCE the dawn of civilization, bridges have remained one of engineering’s greatest marvels.
Here are some of Asia’s most unique bridges:
Henderson Waves Bridge, Singapore
In southern Singapore lies an unusual structure that connects Mount Faber Park to Telok Blangah Hill Park. The bridge is frequently visited for its “distinctive wave-like structure consisting of a series of undulating curved ribs”. The curved ribs form alcoves that function as shelters with seats within for visitors, making the bridge an unusual hang-out area.
Eshima Ohashi Bridge, Japan
Pic: Faktor
Japan’s “roller-coaster bridge” is not for the faint-hearted. Located in the Chugoku region of Honshu, the concrete bridge rises steeply to allow ships to pass underneath. In photos, the bridge gives the illusion of a 45-degree angle, but in reality, the incline is gradual. Nevertheless, you’d better know how to drive a stick.
Moon Bridge, Taiwan
Pic: bbe022001/flickr
The tranquil vision of the Moon Bridge at DaHu (Big Lake) Park in Taipei has pulled in visitors and photographers alike. At night, against the shimmer of the moon, the bridge casts a breathtaking reflection on the clear lake below it. In the background are mysterious silhouettes of mountainous terrains, making the bridge that much more dream-like.
Double Helix Bridge, Singapore
Pic: When on Earth
This spectacular pedestrian-only structure links Marina Bay and Marina Centre, and since its inception in 2010, has been hailed as an engineering masterpiece. The bridge was designed to resemble the structure of DNA, and is especially stunning at night, when more than a thousand LED lights are illuminated for an electrifying experience.
Banpo Bridge, South Korea
Pic: Rare Delights
The theatrical Banpo Bridge is probably the only “performance” bridge on this list. The structure itself is fairly standard, but it’s the spraying of LED-illuminated water into the Han River below that makes it special. Both sides of the bridge are lined with pumps that pass water from the river below, before the water is lit by 10,000 LED nozzles for a rainbow effect, and fed back into the river in dramatic fashion.
Langkawi Sky Bridge, Malaysia
Langkawi Sky Bridge. Pic: MK Biswas73/YouTube
This pedestrian cable bridge snakes around Gunung Mat Chinchang mountain on Langkawi island, one of Malaysia’s most renowned island destinations. Building such a marvel was no easy feat; the entire bridge, complete with all its elements, were lifted by helicopter and assembled to its position 100 meters above the ground. The term “head in the clouds” just got to a whole new level.
Living Root Bridges, India
Pic: Neelima Vallangi/BBC
Deep in the woods of Meghalaya, the wettest place on earth, are a force of nature in the form of living root bridges, a rare phenomenon that have helped the local Khasi people cross banks and rivers. About 180 years ago, Khasi elders guided rubber tree roots using hollow canes to grow halfway across a stream till the ends of two trees met, creating a bridge-like structure. The roots were carefully tended to for decades until they were strong enough to bear the weight of a human.
Sidu River Bridge, China
Pic: Wikimedia Commons
Sidu River Bridge in the Badong County of the Hubei Province is the tallest bridge in the world, suspended 365 meters above the ground. The bridge – which runs for a stretch of 1.5 kilometers – was built by way of a rocket. According to Slate, a rocket was used to string the first pilot line across the gap because of the sheer length and height of the structure. Those afraid of heights should definitely keep away.
Dragon Bridge, Vietnam
Pic: Color Kinetics
The dragon represents power and prosperity to the Vietnamese, and accordingly, a bridge was devised inspired by the mythical creature. The bridge in Danang doesn’t simply look resemble a dragon, it also breathes fire and spouts plumes of water. Every weekend, a pyrotechnics spectacle – beginning with a dragon’s roar – draws in locals and tourists alike.
Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge, China
Pic: Lazer Horse
In going with China’s continuous quest for superlatives, the Dayang-Kunshan Bridge in between Shanghai and Nanjing is the longest bridge in the world. The bridge – located on an elevated high-speed rail line – spans a whopping 165 kilometers, took all of four years and a crew of 10,000 to construct. Talk about hard work.
The post In pictures: Incredible bridges in Asia that will boggle the mind appeared first on Travel Wire Asia.
Source: travelwireasia.com