Imagine this a silent movie scene unfolds before you. A rickshaw puller struggles up the Waibaidu Bridge his passenger clutching a suitcase. The year is 1930 and Shanghai simmers with untold stories. Today we explore the iconic Waibaidu Bridge. This bridge is more than just steel and rivets. It is a symbol of Shanghai’s history. It connects the Huangpu and Hongkou districts.
Waibaidu Bridge stands at the meeting point of Suzhou Creek and Huangpu River. The Waibaidu Bridge is also called the Garden Bridge in English. The current bridge opened on January 20 1908. But the story begins long before that.
Before any bridge existed people used ferries to cross Suzhou Creek. As Shanghai grew into a trade port traffic increased. A British businessman named Charles Wills built the first foreign bridge in 1856. This eased traffic between settlements. It was named Wills’ Bridge. Wills charged a toll to cross. This angered the public and caused protests.
To appease the masses a free wooden bridge was built nearby. It was called the Garden Bridge. Later Wills’ Bridge was removed. In 1906 construction of a new steel bridge began. The Waibaidu Bridge that we see today was completed in 1907.
Designed by Howarth Erskine Ltd a British firm it’s the first all-steel bridge in China. The Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Company built it. The bridge is a camelback truss design a rare sight in China. The Waibaidu Bridge is 104.9 meters long and 18.4 meters wide.
Walking across the Waibaidu Bridge offers great views. You can see old alleys to the north. Western-style buildings are visible to the south. At night the bridge lights up beautifully. You can see the Bund the Cenotaph to the People’s Hero and the Bank of China Building. Look east and you will spot the Oriental Pearl Tower the Jin Mao Tower and the World Financial Center.
The Waibaidu Bridge has witnessed many key moments in history. During the First Shanghai Incident in 1932 many refugees crossed the Waibaidu Bridge seeking safety. During the Battle of Shanghai in 1937 thousands fled across the Waibaidu Bridge to escape the Japanese. After August 1937 the Waibaidu Bridge became the border between the International Settlement and Japanese-occupied areas.
The Waibaidu Bridge has undergone several repairs over the years. In 2008 it was dismantled and restored. The original blueprints were used for the restoration. Over 63000 steel rivets were replaced. The restored Waibaidu Bridge reopened in 2009.
The Waibaidu Bridge is a cultural icon. It has appeared in many films and books. It represents Shanghai’s blend of Eastern and Western influences. It symbolizes the city’s resilience.
As you stand here take a moment to appreciate the Waibaidu Bridge. It is a living monument to Shanghai’s past. It is also a symbol of its future. The Waibaidu Bridge connects not just two districts but also two centuries.