Waibaidu Bridge

Waibaidu Bridge

Waibaidu Bridge is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Spanning the confluence of Suzhou Creek and the Huangpu River in Shanghai, Waibaidu Bridge is a steel truss through arch bridge and the largest steel bridge in downtown Shanghai. The bridge has two spans, with a total length of 106.7 meters, a roadway width of 11.2 meters, and sidewalks on both sides each 3.6 meters wide. After multiple renovations, it now has a load-bearing capacity of 20 tons. Through the heavy steel structure of Waibaidu Bridge, one can see the dazzling lights of the Oriental Pearl Tower. This bridge was once one of the iconic structures of Shanghai.

In the past, crossing the Huangpu River near its estuary in Suzhou Creek relied on ferryboats, and there were several ferry crossings, the one closest to the river mouth being called “Waibaidu.” In 1856, a British man named Wells built a wooden bridge at the location of Waibaidu, naming it “Waibaidu Bridge.” This bridge was free for foreigners but charged Chinese pedestrians, which stirred opposition among the people of Shanghai. In 1873, the Shanghai Municipal Council built another wooden bridge several dozen meters upstream from “Waibaidu Bridge,” naming it “Garden Bridge” and allowing public access free of charge—hence locals also called it “Waibaidu Bridge.” In that same year, the original “Waibaidu Bridge” was sold to the council and subsequently dismantled. In 1906, to accommodate the passage of trams, the council demolished “Waibaidu Bridge” and constructed an iron bridge, which was completed and opened to traffic in 1907.

Note: Waibaidu Bridge has been entirely relocated to a shipyard for major repairs, expected to take about one year. Transportation options include the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel, Bus No. 20 (terminus at Jiujiang Road Bund), No. 42, No. 71 (terminus at Yan’an East Road Bund), No. 123, No. 55, and others.

Address: 111 North Suzhou Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai

Suggested Duration

30 minutes – 1 hour

Transportation

Accessible on foot after taking Bus No. 19, No. 61, No. 317, etc., and getting off at Wusong Road Tiantong Road Station.

Admission Fee

Free

Opening Hours

All day