Sanlian Reservoir Great Bridge

Sweeping across the Sanlian Reservoir, the Sanlian Reservoir Great Bridge stands as a testament to modern engineering. But its story is intertwined with a much older tale, a story of water and the thirst of a growing city. The Sanlian Reservoir itself wasn’t always here. It was born in 1960, not for Shenzhen’s needs, but for Hong Kong’s. Imagine a parched Hong Kong, desperate for water. Across the border, a solution emerged: the Shenzhen Reservoir. Built in record time, the “100 days dam” as it was known, was a marvel of human effort. Thousands of workers toiled day and night, their simple tools dwarfed by the scale of their task. Among them were the “flying girls,” young women who navigated the steep slopes with empty carts, their speed defying gravity. The Sanlian Reservoir was a gift, a symbol of cooperation amidst political tensions. The agreement to supply water to Hong Kong was carefully crafted, a delicate dance of diplomacy. The water flowed, not directly at first, but through the Shum Chun River, a temporary measure while a pipeline was built. This pipeline, stretching over 16 kilometers, carried the precious resource to Hong Kong, quenching the city’s thirst. The Sanlian Reservoir Great Bridge, though built much later, stands as a reminder of this history. It spans the reservoir, a concrete and steel artery connecting the two sides. As you stand here, looking at this bridge, remember the story of water, the story of human endeavor, and the story of the Sanlian Reservoir.