The Shiziguan Floating Bridge is hailed as a technological marvel of China.
This structure is built directly over the turquoise Thanh River, flowing gracefully. Without supports, cables, or reinforced concrete, this delicate bridge still accommodates vehicles weighing up to 2.8 tons on its surface.
The Shiziguan Floating Bridge on the Thanh River.
This unique bridge is located in the Xiaogan Autonomous County of Tujia and Miao Ethnicities, in Hubei Province, China. The bridge is nestled behind lush green hills, where visitors can enjoy the beauty of nature.
Inaugurated in 2016, people from all over China flocked here to experience driving on the river’s surface. The construction technology of the Shiziguan Floating Bridge is advanced German technology. The bridge is stable and does not sway significantly because it is built with high-density polyethylene floats filled with water. As a result, it allows vehicles to move at speeds of up to 20 km/h. Passengers in the vehicles will only feel a slight rocking from the river.
The bridge allows one-way traffic for both pedestrians and vehicles. However, this technical marvel is not without its risks. A tragic incident occurred in 2023 when a vehicle carrying eight passengers swayed violently and broke through the bridge’s railing, falling into the Thanh River. Only three passengers escaped safely, while the remaining five tragically lost their lives.
This incident highlighted the risks associated with exceeding weight and speed limits, especially when applied to such a fragile structure.
Following the accident, the Shiziguan Floating Bridge was temporarily closed for safety evaluations before reopening to the public. To date, the bridge remains a popular attraction, drawing many who wish to experience driving on the water and enjoy breathtaking mountain scenery.
