Queshi Bridge

Queshi Bridge

Shantou Queshi Bridge is situated in the western part of Shantou city and is another large-scale bridge connecting the northern and southern urban districts of Shantou after the Bay Bridge. This reinforced concrete cable-stayed bridge stretches 3,500 meters in total length—1,000 meters longer than the Bay Bridge—and is 30 meters wide with six lanes in both directions. Sightseeing pedestrian walkways are constructed along both sides of the main bridge, and the main span offers a navigable clearance height of 38 meters, which is 1 meter lower than that of the Bay Bridge. The bridge starts from National Highway 324 (Guang-Shan Highway) in the south, spans the Shantou Harbor, and connects to National Highway 206 in the north. It is the second mega cross-sea bridge to be constructed after the Bay Bridge in the eastern part of downtown Shantou, with a total estimated budget of 1.25 billion RMB. The main bridge section is 2,865 meters long, and when including the interchange, ramp bridges, and approach roads, the full bridge extends to 5,976 meters. The bridge features six lanes, supplemented by pedestrian sightseeing pathways on both sides, bringing the total width of the bridge deck to 30.5 meters. The main tower stands 148 meters tall, the main span of the bridge is 518 meters, and the navigable clearance height is 38 meters, allowing passage for vessels up to 20,000 tons.

Construction of Queshi Bridge began in April 1995 and was completed and opened to traffic in February 1999, with a total investment of 1.25 billion yuan. At the time, then-Premier of the State Council Li Peng inscribed the bridge’s name. The bridge connects to the Guang-Shan Highway section in Haojiang District in the south and crosses Shantou Harbor to reach Xidi Road in the old urban area in the north, lying 9 kilometers away from the Bay Bridge. The completion of Queshi Bridge has greatly facilitated cross-harbor transportation in central and western Shantou, significantly improving the throughput capacity of the city’s outbound roadways. Along with the Bay Bridge, it forms a major passageway linking the eastern and western wings of Shantou Harbor to eastern Guangdong and the Pearl River Delta. Since then, ferry transport between the northern and southern urban areas of Shantou has become a thing of the past.

As the sister bridge to the Bay Bridge, Queshi Bridge stands in distant echo with the Bay Bridge at the river mouth, together forming a circular coastal traffic route around Shantou. Travelers can effortlessly drive around the coastline in just one hour, taking in the subtropical seaside scenery. If you wish to further appreciate the charm of Shantou—the only city in China with an inland sea—Queshi Bridge offers the best vantage point. Standing on the sightseeing pedestrian walkways on both sides of the bridge, looking eastward over the bay and across the northern and southern banks of Shantou, you’ll see a picturesque blend of green mountains, rugged rocks, pavilions, traditional towers, and modern skyscrapers, all set against the endless meeting of blue sea and sky, with seagulls soaring gracefully between ship masts—a full display of the beautiful southern coastal landscape.

The bridge’s main structure features a hybrid design of steel strand stay cables, steel box girders, and PC girders—an innovation in China at the time, demonstrating advanced technology and an imposing presence. The bridge was completed in December 1998. The construction of Queshi Bridge, together with the Bay Bridge, forms a cross-sea traffic loop, playing a significant role in promoting and improving Shantou’s investment environment and economic development.