Gulou Bridge

Gulou Bridge

Gulou Bridge connects Renmin East Road to the south and Dongjin Road to the north. It is a multifunctional landscape bridge integrating transportation, tourism, leisure, and entertainment. The bridge has a total length of 160.5 meters and a width of 43.6 meters. Its lower structure consists of a five-span reinforced concrete arch bridge, while the upper part features a 220-meter-long corridor and 10 pavilions. A curved pedestrian bridge over the water is located beneath the main bridge. The bridge is designed to carry a load of Vehicle Class 20 and Trailer Class 100, and is built to withstand earthquakes of up to magnitude 7.

Gulou Bridge has set four national firsts for arched bridges in China: 1) In addition to motor vehicle and non-motorized vehicle lanes, the bridge also features a 220-meter-long corridor and 10 pavilions on the sidewalk, combining traffic functionality with a public space for leisure and recreation — the first of its kind in China’s bridge history. 2) Ten skylights are installed on the median strip, along with spotlights that not only provide lighting but also allow views of passing boats and flowing water beneath the bridge through the skylights — a design unprecedented in China. 3) For the first time, 1/4-sphere designs were used for the bridge piers, clad in Jinshan stone, giving them an elegant and classic appearance. When illuminated at night, the eight spheres appear exquisitely transparent, like eight pearls inlaid on the East City River, offering a visual delight. 4) Four 1.2-meter-square dragon head reliefs are installed on the east and west facades of the bridge. These are traditional Chinese symbols for warding off evil, and at 1.2 meters square, they are currently the largest flat dragon head reliefs in the country.