Gulou Bridge

　　   Gulou Bridge connects Renmin East Road to the south and Dongjin Road to the north. It is a multifunctional landscape bridge that combines transportation, tourism, leisure, and entertainment. The bridge has a total length of 160.5 meters and a width of 43.6 meters. Its substructure consists of a five-span reinforced concrete arch bridge, while the superstructure features a 220-meter-long corridor and 10 pavilions. Below the bridge, there is a small curved pedestrian bridge close to the water. 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 7 degrees.

　　   Gulou Bridge has set four firsts in China’s arched bridge design: First, in addition to having motor vehicle and non-motorized vehicle lanes, it also features a 220-meter-long corridor and 10 pavilions on the sidewalk, serving both traffic functions and providing a leisure space for citizens—this is the first of its kind in the history of domestic bridges. Second, the median strip is equipped with 10 skylights fitted with spotlights, which not only provide natural light but also allow views of the boats and flowing water beneath the bridge through the skylights—a design unprecedented in China. Third, the bridge piers incorporate quarter-sphere designs clad in Jinshan stone for the first time, giving an elegant and classic appearance while maintaining a sense of openness. At night, the eight spheres glow delicately under the lights, resembling eight pearls inlaid in the East City River, offering a visual delight. Fourth, four 1.2-meter-square dragon head reliefs are installed on the east and west facades of the bridge. These dragons are traditional Chinese symbols for warding off evil and are currently the largest flat dragon head reliefs of their kind in the country.