Engineering School Trip: China's Mega Bridge Projects

Upon arrival in Hong Kong, you will be transferred by private coach to the hotel to check in. After a short rest, you can take a walk along Victoria Harbour and the Avenue of Stars and appreciate the cityscape on both sides of the harbour.

Linking Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is a world-class sea-crossing transport project. During its construction, engineers overcame technical challenges including the deep-immersed tube tunnel and artificial island development, setting multiple engineering records.

Bridge Section of the Hong Kong‑Zhuhai‑Macao Bridge

Island Section of the Hong Kong‑Zhuhai‑Macao Bridge

Students will travel by coach across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to Zhuhai. In the afternoon, students will attend an interesting study session led by an experienced engineering teacher, during which the overall structure of the bridge will be introduced. Students will work in groups to learn about the functions of three key components: the bridge, offshore artificial islands, and the immersed tube tunnel. They will discuss the design challenges of sea-crossing projects and complete the Cross-sea Engineering Design Report.

Your Journey’s Rewards

Understand the main structure of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and learn how the bridge, artificial islands and undersea tunnel work together as a system.

Educational Focus

Why does the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge combine bridges, artificial islands and an undersea tunnel, instead of using only bridges or only tunnels for the whole route?

Takeaway

Bridges allow smooth vehicle passage. The undersea tunnel avoids busy shipping lanes so that large vessels can sail unobstructed. Artificial islands connect the bridge sections and the tunnel. This “bridge-island-tunnel” arrangement takes into account shipping needs, aviation height restrictions and practical construction conditions.

Cross-Section of the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge

Thought Challenge

What possible impacts could the construction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge have on the marine ecosystem? What measures can engineers adopt to reduce harm to marine life and the ocean environment?

Students will be transferred to the high-speed railway station in the morning according to the train schedule and take the high-speed train to Guiyang. Upon arrival, students will check in at the hotel and take a short rest. They will then visit Jiaxiu Tower, a famous landmark in Guiyang, and admire its distinctive architecture. Next, students will walk around Qingyun Market and taste local specialities of Guiyang.

Baling River Bridge is the world’s first kilometre-span suspension bridge built in a mountain canyon. It spans a deep-cut canyon with steep mountain slopes on both sides, limited construction space and complex geological conditions such as karst caves, making its construction extremely challenging.

Baling River Bridge

In the morning, depart for Anshun. First, visit Huangguoshu Waterfall to appreciate Guizhou’s unique karst landforms. Afterwards, proceed to Baling River Bridge. The bridge has a total length of 2,237 metres and a main span of 1,088 metres, and its deck sits 370 metres above the water surface. From the viewing platform, students can gain an intuitive sense of the suspension bridge’s span and height. Next, tour the Guizhou Baling River Bridge Museum. Through engineering displays and models, students learn about the development of bridge construction in Guizhou and the structural characteristics of different bridge types.

Then, a bridge model-building workshop will be held. Working in groups, students build a mini version of Baling River Bridge using wooden strips, building blocks and bridge simulation kits, and get to know key components including main cables, suspenders, pylons and anchorages. Load tests will then be carried out with weights. Students record load-bearing performance and structural deformation, and refine their models based on test results. Deliverables include the bridge model, load test data and a structural analysis report.

Your Journey’s Rewards

Build a suspension bridge model by hand, understand the functions of different bridge components through load experiments, and experience the full process of bridge engineering design and testing.

Educational Focus

How can a long-span suspension bridge support its own weight and vehicle loads?

Takeaway

A suspension bridge relies on four core components working together to bear loads:

• Main Cable (Tension): Withstands massive tension and supports the bridge deck via suspenders.
• Pylon (Compression): Supports the main cable and transfers loads down to the foundation.
• Anchorage (Secures Main Cable): Anchors both ends of the main cable and resists huge horizontal pulling forces.
• Stiffening Girder (Bending Resistance): Supports the bridge deck and reduces deformation and vibration caused by moving vehicles.

Suspension Bridge: Key Components & Force Analysis

Thought Challenge

Why are suspension bridges capable of spanning wide canyons and rivers? What structural features allow engineers to build bridges with longer spans?

Spanning the Huajiang Grand Canyon in Guizhou, Huajiang Canyon Bridge has a total length of 2,890 metres and a main span of 1,420 metres. It is the world’s longest-span steel truss suspension bridge built in a mountain canyon. The bridge deck stands about 625 metres above the water surface. Its construction faced engineering challenges including complex terrain and strong winds.

Huajiang Canyon Bridge

Today, travel to Huajiang Canyon Bridge. View the bridge from designated observation areas, examine the canyon landform, mountain slopes on both banks and the bridge structure, and identify key components such as main cables, pylons and steel truss girders. Study topographic maps to understand the spatial layout of the bridge crossing the canyon.

In the afternoon, carry out geographic fieldwork at the designated site. Working in groups and using topographic maps, geological records and meteorological data, students sketch simple cross-sections of the canyon. They analyse mountain geology, the selection of bridge foundation sites, and the impacts of wind, rainfall and temperature on bridge design. Groups also discuss difficulties in high-altitude construction, material transportation and equipment installation within the canyon environment.

Deliverable: Canyon Engineering Fieldwork Report

Your Journey’s Rewards

Through on-site observation and group investigations, students learn how canyon topography, geology and climatic conditions shape bridge design, and recognise the challenges of constructing large bridges in mountainous regions.

Educational Focus

Why must wind-resistant design be a key priority for long-span suspension bridges?

Takeaway

Long-span suspension bridges feature large spans and relatively flexible structures, making them vulnerable to strong winds that can trigger vibration and deformation. In severe cases, wind may cause deck torsion and threaten bridge stability. Engineers therefore study wind effects via wind tunnel tests and structural design, and adopt appropriate wind-resistance measures to guarantee bridge safety.

Thought Challenge

Besides wind, what other natural factors may threaten the safety of long-span bridges?

Beipanjiang Bridge is an engineering mega-structure straddling Guizhou and Yunnan Provinces. The vertical height from its deck to the valley floor is 565.4 metres, roughly equal to the height of a 200-storey building. It set the record for the world’s highest bridge in 2018.

Beipanjiang Bridge

In the morning, travel to Beipanjiang Bridge. Focus on observing the canyon terrain, bridge site selection and main span, and reflect on why this bridge type was chosen for such a deep valley. In the afternoon, attend a special seminar on mountain bridge engineering. With photos, videos and bridge models, students learn about the challenges engineers encounter in site selection, structural design and high-altitude construction.

Afterwards, students discuss the construction difficulties of Beipanjiang Bridge in groups. Drawing on what they have learned in the session, they sketch simple structural diagrams of the bridge, label key components such as pylons and the bridge deck, and share their understanding of mountain bridge engineering. Deliverable: Mountain Bridge Study Sheet.

Your Journey’s Rewards

Learn about the difficulties of bridge construction in deep canyons and explore how site selection and structural design are adapted to local topography and geological conditions.

Educational Focus

How can engineers build a safe and stable ultra-high bridge across a deep canyon?

Takeaway

When bridging deep canyons, engineers must select appropriate bridge types according to local topography and geological conditions. It is equally important to build robust foundations and anchorage systems. Engineers must also address natural hazards such as strong winds and earthquakes, as well as high-altitude construction challenges.

Thought Challenge

Why is it impractical to build piers on the valley floor for canyon bridges, as we do for ordinary highway bridges?

In the morning, visit Wumeng Grassland to observe plateau mountain landforms and learn how plateau climate and terrain affect bridge construction. In the afternoon, take part in integrated engineering design and final presentation activities. Drawing on four major engineering cases (the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Baling River Bridge, Huajiang Canyon Bridge and Beipanjiang Bridge), students work in groups to finish bridge scheme design, model testing and presentation, and compile their Engineering Project Portfolio in the end. Transfer back to Guiyang by coach after the session.

Wumeng Grassland

Your Journey’s Rewards

Apply knowledge comprehensively to complete bridge design and model tests, and present the outcomes of engineering learning.

Educational Focus

How can we design suitable bridges for different terrain and environmental conditions?

Takeaway

Bridge design requires comprehensive consideration of factors including topography, geology, climate, materials and structures. Different construction environments call for different engineering solutions.

Thought Challenge

If you were to design a bridge across a canyon or bay, what structure would you choose and why?

Check out after breakfast, then head to the airport or railway station according to flight or train schedules. This study tour comes to an end.