The Mingzhou Bay Bridge in Guangzhou's Nansha District has been selected as one of China's "Top Ten Most Beautiful Bridges" for the 2020–2025 period, ranking third in a national competition that included 86 major bridge projects. The award was announced on November 26 at a ceremony in Guangzhou.
Organized by Bridge Magazine, the evaluation emphasized structural rationality, environmental harmony, visual artistry, cultural creativity, and public perception. The bridge was recognized for its design, which incorporates local cultural elements and advanced engineering.
The bridge's arch draws inspiration from the curved rooflines of traditional boathouses used by the Tanka community, fishermen in southern China. Its profile echoes the surrounding hills, while the truss design reflects the area's mangrove forests. The main span is painted "Chinese red" and features LED lighting that displays symbols representing the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
With a total length of 1.36 kilometers and a main span of 436 meters, the bridge is the world's largest three-truss steel arch structure. It includes two decks: the upper level has eight vehicle lanes, and the lower level is reserved for public transport. The bridge crosses the Longxue South Channel, improving connections across the Pearl River Delta.
Innovations used in the bridge's construction reduced building time by about 40% and saved an estimated 70 million yuan. Since opening in July 2021, it has cut travel time between key areas in Nansha from 60 minutes to under 10 minutes, replacing ferry services and supporting regional integration.
The "Top Ten Most Beautiful Bridges" awards, first held in 2023, aim to promote aesthetic awareness and technical innovation in bridge engineering. The Mingzhou Bay Bridge has also received other honors, including the China Steel Structure Gold Award.
Author | Feng Huiting
Photo | Nanfang Plus
Editor | Liu Lingzhi, James Campion, Shen He
