Lupu Bridge crossing the Huangpu River in Shanghai (China)

"A soaring box-arch bridge with a record span, clean impressive lines and innovative use of the side spans of the arch and the deck to resist the thrust of the main arch."

Lupu Bridge, described at reception of

Outstanding Structure Award

Nanpu Bridge crossing the Huangpu River in Shanghai (China)

Late at night, the Huangpu sighs
Suzhou creek groans.
In their dreams some men still calculate
- oil, salt, wood, rice - anxious that the morning paper
will just bring news of more disasters.

In a poem by Chen Jingrong

Waibaidu Bridge crossing the Suzhou Creek in Shanghai (China)

Looking east, one could see the warehouses on the waterfront of Pootung like huge monsters crouching in the gloom, their lights twinkling like countless tiny eyes. To the west, one saw with a shock of wonder on the roof of a building a gigagntic neon sign in flaming red and phosphorescent green: LIGHT, HEAT, POWER.

View from Waidaibu Bridge
from the novel Minight by Mao Dun

Nanpu Bridge over the Huangpu River in Shanghai (China)

"I found Shanghai to be the very essence of the Surrealist doctrine: If the world is mad, then the maddest man is the most sane." 

In a novel by Laurie R. King

Puhuitang Bridge over the River Puhui in Qibao Ancient Town, Shanghai (China)

A small black covered boat
In a thin autumn-morning fog
Is about to sail beneath an ancient arched bridge.

It’s a mysterious opening. 

Who knows what will be revealed

Through the passage under the stone arch?

A broad turbulent river. 
Or an unadorned quiet town?
A pretty but bleak plain? 

We’ve seen tallow trees: red berries, White reeds, 
Emerald kingfishers. Thank Heaven, our voyage
Proceeds on course. 

But while we’re smiling, In the thin autumn-morning fog
A new arch emerges, mystery. Looming.
Another dread. Clutches at our chest

The arched bridge

 Shi Zhecun poem 

Bridge over the river Puhui in Qibao Ancient Town, Shanghai (China)

Qibao in Chinese means seven treasures and the town was so named for a legend that goes that there were seven treasures around the area, which were a Gold Lotus Scripture written by an imperial concubine of the 10th century, a Magic Tree, dating back to one thousand years ago, a Big Bell Floated from Afar, a Buddha Flown over from Afar, a Gold Cock, Jade Chopstick and a Jade Axe.

Legend of Qibao

Sichuanlu Bridge across the Suzhou River in Shanghai (China)

"Suzhou River is the filthiest river, with an eternity's worth of stories and rubbish … if you watch it long enough, the river will show you everything"

Wang Mengyue, 

director of the film Suzhou River

Nanpu Bridge over Huangpu River in Shanghai (China)

"Shanghai set out to take over from Hong Kong and I think it's done that. It's got the most amazing futuristic skyline which rivals and even betters Tokyo."

Paul Oakenfold

Fangsheng Bridge across the Chaogang River in Zhujiajao Ancient Town, Shanghai (China)

When the boat comes to the bridge, will go through straight to itself

Chinese proverb

Lupu Bridge spanning the Huangpu River in Shanghai (China)

LONGEST ARCH BRIDGE IN THE WORLD FROM 2003 TO 2009