Nanchang Bayi Bridge

Nanchang Bayi Bridge

Bayi Bridge, also known as Nanchang Bayi Bridge. It was completed in 1936, originally named Zhongzheng Bridge, and was a wooden-deck bridge. After 1949, the city renovated Zhongzheng Bridge and renamed it from "Zhongzheng" to "Bayi." At that time, Bayi Bridge was only 10 meters wide, and later, as traffic on the bridge became increasingly heavy, Bayi Bridge grew more and more overloaded. On November 5, 1995, construction began on the new Bayi Bridge. The new bridge is located 50 meters upstream from the original one, spans over 3,000 meters in total length, and is the first cable-stayed bridge in Jiangxi Province, as well as the longest cable-stayed bridge in Nanchang City. It was officially opened to traffic on September 29, 1997. The bridge starts from Yangming Road in the east, crosses the Gan River, connects to South Lushan Avenue in the west, links to North Changbei Development Zone in the north, and joins the Changjiu Expressway. It serves as an important passage connecting Hunan, Hubei, Anhui, and northern Jiangxi regions.

Bayi Bridge was completed in 1936, originally named Zhongzheng Bridge, and was a wooden-deck bridge. After the nationwide liberation in 1949, the bridge was renovated and renamed Bayi Bridge. At that time, the bridge was only 10 meters wide, and as traffic grew increasingly busy, Bayi Bridge became more and more overloaded, especially during the Qingming Festival when, to facilitate citizens visiting graves, motor vehicles were prohibited, allowing only non-motorized vehicles and pedestrians. The entire bridge would be packed with people.

Due to the increasing inability to handle the growing urban traffic load, construction of the new Bayi Bridge began on November 5, 1995. The new bridge is located 50 meters upstream from the original one, spans over 3,000 meters in total length, and is the first cable-stayed bridge in Jiangxi Province, as well as the longest cable-stayed bridge in Nanchang.

The new Bayi Bridge is not only a grand modern transportation facility but also a major scenic landmark in Nanchang. The bridge’s design harmonizes with the urban environment, featuring a majestic and spectacular appearance with towering pylons that correspond to the high-rises on both banks. The longitudinal design employs vertical curves, resembling a long rainbow lying on the waves, showcasing elegant curves. The south approach bridge has three levels, with a fully interconnected interchange in a trumpet shape, presenting a grand momentum.

Four circles resemble dancing butterflies, with historical and cultural structures from Jiangxi—Deyang Tower, Yugu Pavilion, and Peony Pavilion—standing within the circles. At the south end of the bridge, a stone sculpture of a black and white cat carries profound meaning. On the north bank stands a pair of cast bronze lions, mighty and imposing. The entire bridge stands tall and majestic, its grand presence akin to a giant dragon lying across the Gan River, blending seamlessly with the charming scenery on both banks, creating a picturesque harmony.

The bridge is designed as a double single-tower, double-cable-plane, fan-shaped, closely-spaced strand system reinforced concrete cable-stayed bridge. The project consists of three parts: the main bridge, approach bridges, and approach roads, with a total length of about 6 kilometers. The main bridge is 1,040 meters long, the south approach bridge 2,017 meters, and the north bridge 1,314 meters. The effective width of the bridge deck is 26 meters, with four lanes in both directions, and a designed speed of 60 kilometers per hour.

The main pier features eight 4-meter-diameter piles, which are the largest-diameter pile foundations in China at that time. The secondary span piers use 44 piles with a 2-meter diameter. The main span is a 4×160-meter cable-stayed section, with towers 103 meters high, while the secondary span consists of six 50-meter continuous beam sections. The main span has a navigational clearance of 10 meters, meeting the standards for third-class navigation. The bridge was opened to traffic on September 29, 1997. The construction cost was 440 million yuan, with a total investment of 660 million yuan.

It starts from Yangming Road in the east, crosses the Gan River, connects to South Lushan Avenue in the west, links to North Changbei Development Zone in the north, and joins the Changjiu Expressway. It serves as an important passage connecting Hunan, Hubei, Anhui, and northern Jiangxi regions.

Two massive stone sculptures stand at the bridgeheads—one of a black cat and one of a white cat. The black cat is made of black granite, and the white cat of white marble. The chief architect of reform and opening-up once said, “It doesn’t matter if it’s a black cat or a white cat; as long as it catches mice, it’s a good cat.” This statement inspired many pioneers to charge to the forefront of reform and opening-up, blazing a trail never seen before and ushering in over 30 years of rapid development for China.

Time Needed

15 minutes

Transportation

Bus routes 2, 4, 8, 22, 25, 28, 38, 121, 136, 139, 210, 222, 223, 232, 240, 302, 311, 506, 704 (Air-conditioned, Bayi Bridge Station)

Admission

Free

Opening Hours

Open all day

Location

Qing Shan Lake District, Nanchang City