Waibaidu Bridge

　　    Spanning the confluence of Shanghai’s Suzhou Creek and the Huangpu River, 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 pedestrian sidewalks each 3.6 meters wide on either side. After multiple renovations, it now supports a load 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 symbols of Shanghai.

　　    In the past, near the mouth of Suzhou Creek where it meets the Huangpu River, people had to rely on ferries to cross the river. There were several ferry crossings, and the one closest to the river mouth was called “Wai Ba Du” (Outer Ferry). In 1856, a British man named Wells built a wooden bridge at the location of the Outer Ferry, which was then called the “Outer Ferry Bridge.” This bridge was free for foreigners but charged Chinese pedestrians, which sparked opposition from the people of Shanghai. In 1873, the Shanghai Municipal Council built another wooden bridge several dozen meters upstream from the “Outer Ferry Bridge,” naming it the “Garden Bridge” and allowing citizens to cross it for free. As a result, locals also began calling it the “Waibaidu Bridge” (Outer White Ferry Bridge). That same year, the original “Outer Ferry Bridge” was sold to the Municipal Council and subsequently dismantled. In 1906, to accommodate the passage of trams, the council demolished the “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, which are expected to take about one year. Transportation options include the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel, bus routes 20 (terminus at Jiangwan Road Bund), 42, 71 (terminus at Yan’an East Road Bund), 123, 55, and others.

　　    Address: No. 111, North Suzhou Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai

　　    Suggested Duration

　　    30 minutes – 1 hour

　　    Transportation

　　    Take bus routes 19, 61, 317, etc., and get off at Wusong Road Tiantong Road Station, then walk to the bridge.

　　    Admission

　　    Free

　　    Opening Hours

　　    All day