BRIDGE OVER THE YANG TZE RIVER

The Changjiang Bridge (name of the river in Chinese) was built between 1955 and 1957, the first of its kind to connect both banks of the river and allow for rail and road communication. Inaugurated on the day of the Chinese National Holiday on October 1, 1957, this two-deck bridge, with a length of almost 1,670 m, had to allow six trucks to cross the front river and two trains to cross simultaneously! A real feat for the time. This works of art is extremely impressive seen by boat: 10 000 tons of cargo can go below. In 1995, a second bridge completed the first bridge, the Changjiang Changjiang Bridge (Wuhan Changjiang Erqiao). With a total length of 1,877 m, this cable-stayed bridge takes this style so dear to the 1990 s in China. Swimming in Yangtse has become an important event in Wuhan's cultural life since 1956, when Mao Zedong braved the waters of the river. This Wuhanese sporting tradition was in fact the 1930 s.