The Bamboo Bridge in Kampong Cham, Cambodia, is rebuilt every year on the Mekong River and can support vehicles weighing up to 4 tons.
The rickety bamboo bridge stretches over a kilometer across the murky waters of the Mekong River, connecting the floating island of Koh Pen in the middle of the river with Kampong Cham, the sixth-largest city in Cambodia located on the west bank, according to Amusing Planet. This bamboo bridge exists seasonally. What makes it unique is that it is entirely handcrafted by the skilled hands of local people.
The bridge is handcrafted by local residents.
Local residents use this bridge daily for transportation and goods movement. (Photo: Stephen Bugno).
It is estimated that to construct the bamboo bridge in Kampong Cham, over 50,000 bamboo stakes were sought, sorted, and meticulously selected. The main material used for this bridge is bamboo, which has been rigorously tested for quality.
The Mekong River is vast, which initially raised concerns about the safety of the bridge. Could such a fragile and rudimentary material withstand the weight of people and the ravages of time? Additionally, Kampong Cham aims to facilitate trade between the two banks, with public transportation being widely utilized. So instead of building a bamboo bridge, why not create a larger, more solid concrete bridge?
This location has long been a tourist attraction. (Photo: Mail).
Experts explain that this is due to the culture of the local people. As mentioned, the bamboo bridge in Kampong Cham has existed for decades, a time when even modern structures had yet to appear. The locals have a special attachment to this bridge, believing that it represents the cultural sophistication of the region, making it difficult to replace with another type of bridge. Furthermore, it is important to note that this seemingly fragile bridge is incredibly sturdy and robust. An investigation has shown that the bridge can bear tremendous weight, rivaling any concrete bridge. For this reason, locals can confidently engage in trade, and tourists have a beloved destination.
The bamboo bridge is rebuilt each dry season when the water level of the Mekong River recedes and becomes too shallow for boats to pass. Then, when the rainy season begins, before the water level rises, the bridge is dismantled by hand. The bamboo poles are stored away or reused for other projects. During the rainy season, the river’s current is so strong that the bridge cannot withstand it. Instead, locals cross the river by boat.
The bridge is wide and sturdy enough to support light vehicles.
As soon as the river water recedes to a sufficient level, the construction of the new bridge begins. First, tall bamboo poles are buried in the riverbed along with a woven bamboo mat to create the foundation. Then, many bamboo stakes are driven in at various angles around the foundation.
The bridge is wide and stable enough to support light vehicles. Because the bamboo poles bend rather than break under pressure, driving a car or motorcycle across the bridge causes the bamboo stakes to sway continuously, giving drivers the sensation of riding over waves, accompanied by the creaking sounds from the surface beneath the tires.
When the rainy season arrives (from May to November each year), the bamboo stakes are dismantled, and the bridge is rebuilt from scratch in the dry season. (Photo: Mail).
“No section of the bridge made from thousands of horizontal bamboo poles is flat, making the driving experience bumpy and slippery. Driving quickly on a motorcycle creates waves and vibrations throughout the bridge, threatening to toss unsteady individuals off their feet and onto the sharp bamboo stakes at the edge of the bridge,” writes visitor Emily Lush.
Anyone crossing the bridge must pay a fee, but foreign visitors are charged a higher rate than local residents. The revenue generated is used for the annual repair and maintenance of the bridge.
