Macau–Taipa Bridge

Macau Macau–Taipa Bridge

The Macau–Taipa Bridge is the first bridge connecting the Macau Peninsula and Taipa Island. It was completed in October 1974 and was originally named Governor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge after the then-Governor of Macau. However, as it became commonly known among locals as the Macau–Taipa Bridge, the latter name eventually replaced the official one. The Macau–Taipa Bridge resembles a long rainbow soaring over the Mirror Sea, and for this reason, "Rainbow over the Mirror Sea" has become one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Macau.

Macau’s Rainbow over the Mirror Sea: The bridge is 2,569.8 meters long in total, with 2,090 meters of approach bridges. The deck is 9.2 meters wide, featuring two lanes in each direction, along with 0.8-meter-wide pedestrian walkways on both sides. Spanning the waters of the Macau–Taipa Channel with a large curve, it looks like a long rainbow lying across the waves. Its unique design gives an impression of both grandeur and delicacy, adding a modern touch to the ancient city of Macau. Designed and built by Portuguese bridge expert José Carlos de Sousa, the bridge features clean lines and bright colors that harmonize well with the architectural styles on both shores. At night, the illuminated bridge lights resemble a string of pearls, adding a radiant glow to the night sky. In different seasons and times of day, the bridge presents a graceful silhouette, becoming not only a scenic highlight of Macau but also a symbol of its development.

In April 1994, the second Macau–Taipa Bridge (Friendship Bridge) was completed and put into use. Stretching 4,414 meters in length, it helps alleviate the traffic load on the original bridge and plays an important role in boosting Macau’s prosperity. The third Macau–Taipa Bridge connects the Macau Peninsula and Taipa Island. With a construction cost of 560 million RMB, it is the largest infrastructure project since the establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region Government. Designed in a harp-style cable-stayed configuration, the bridge is 1,720 meters long. The deck is divided into upper and lower levels: the upper level is for vehicular traffic, while the lower level is reserved for future use by the light rail system.

Location: Between the Macau Peninsula and Taipa Island

Transportation: Buses traveling from the Macau Island to Taipa Island pass over the Macau–Taipa Bridge.