Jiaozhou Bay Bridge – The Marvel of Civil Engineering

The T-shaped Jiaozhou Bay Bridge is a 26.7 km long roadway bridge in eastern China's Shandong province. Out of 25.9 km are over water representing the total length of three legs of the bridge. It is also called Qingdao Haiwan Bridge which is part of the 41.58 km Jiaozhou Bay Connection Project. The purpose of the bridge as part of the plan to provide better connectivity between the two fast-growing industrial regions on either side of the Jiaozhou Bay.

Qingdao is a fast-growing coastal city, playing an intergyral part in the country’s development strategy. So, the ever-growing business could not meet the ferry service providing to passenger and cargo levels. Jiaozhou Bay Bridge longest continuous segment is 25.9 km making it one of longest bridges in the world. This bridge reduces the road distance between eastern port city of Qingdao and an offshore island, Huangdao by 30 km and travel time from 20 to 30 minutes.

The main entry and exit points in Huangdao and the Licang District of Qingdao. The Bay bridge construct with the mammoth 450,000 tons of steel and 2.3 cubic meters of concrete supported by 5,238 concrete piles. The Jiaozhou Bay Bridge can face any catastrophic natural disastrous. It is designed to tackle the severe earthquakes (more than 8 magnitude), typhoons, even collision of gigantic ship (300,000-ton vessel).

The bridge cross-section comprises of two beams in total 115 ft wide carrying six lanes with two shoulders. The bridge is part of the Jiaozhou Bay Connection Project, which includes overland expressways and the Qingdao Jiaozhou Bay tunnel. The total length of the project is 41.58 km. The Jiaozhou Bay has an annual ice period of two months expected to have at least 100 years of lifespan.

Moreover, cushion caps made the bridge’s pillars from the force of waves and freezing. Hence, considering the bay freezes annually and holds high volumes of salt, waves, and freezing patterns.  The water design of these 1,258 cushion caps adequately protects the bridge.

Jiaozhou Bay Bridge was opened for the public on 30^th June 2011. After that Guinness World Records listed it the longest bridge over frozen water (total length). The record was taken by the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge in October 2018. Jiaozhou Bay Bridge had the first oversea interchange in the world and that it has the world's largest number of oversea bored concrete piles.

The idea was presented by the Chinese Communist Party, and it took four years to complete at a massive cost of US$8.8 billion. There are several concerns raised regarding the quality of material used in construction. Such as poor crash-barriers, missing lighting, and loose nuts on guard nails. However, the bridge chief engineer rejects the safety concerns and claimed perfect for traffic and meeting the safety measures.

Jiaozhou Bay Bridge combines all the fields of civil engineering for an impressive result. Jiaozhou Bay Bridge claims to be the first self-anchored suspension bridge in the world with a single tower, which is 149m high.

Also Read:

1. Ponte Vasco da Gama! One of Longest Bridge in Europe
2. Hovenring, the Floating Circular Cycle Bridge in Eindhoven
3. Moonlight Rainbow Worlds Longest Fountain Bridge
4. The Incredible Magdeburg Water Bridge in Germany
5. Oresund Bridge ! Wonder of Civil Engineering

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Dragon Blue Hole, China

Dragon Blue Hole is deepest blue hole in the world. It is 987 ft deep sinkhole, with a distinctive blue color water when seen from above. Almost 330 ft deeper than Dean’s Blue. This is located 25 KM from south of Discovery Reef in Paracel Islands.

It is famous as “eye” of the South China Sea. A stark contrast to the otherwise aqua waters that surround striking and beautiful formations of underwater entrances and extend below sea level, mirroring the appearance of a sinkhole.

Moreover, there are several fresh water sinkholes on planet earth, that are deeper than Dragon Hole. These include Mexico's Zacatón 1,099 ft, Pozzo del Merro in Italy 1,286 ft, and Hranice abyss in the Czech Republic 1,325 ft.

Mount Danxia, China

Mount Danxia “Dānxiá Shān” is a prominent scenic mountainous area near Shaoguan city in the northern part of Guangdong China. In 2004 the Mount Danxia is listed as a "world famous UNESCO geopark of China". Mount Danxia has been honored National Scenic Area, National Geomorphologic Nature Reserve, and National Geo-park etc. since 1988.

It covers an area of ​​approximately 280 square kilometers. The stones and peaks are rhythmically interspersed making it a sculpture garden of red sandstone rocks. Set against the blue sky, white clouds, jade waters, green trees and the colorful algae, the mountain becomes a picturesque painting. Mount Danxia is not only bright in color, but peculiar in outlook.

Mount Danxia is named for its unique danxia landforms. With a deep red color, bright like sunset glow, different from other Danxia Nature Reserves owns the most graceful views. The area is formed with reddish sandstone, eroded with the passage of times. It is a series of outcrops surrounded by spectacular cliffs and many unusual rock formations known as Danxia landform.

The stones have been formed the shape of human body, birds and even animals. Many cliff tombs and cliff coffins were left by our ancestors who inhabited the mountain. The Danxia Mountain consists of many other wonderful scenic spots, including Zhanglao Peak, Yangyuan Hill, Xianglong Lake and Jin River. The Jin River features charming waterside scenery and wonderful aquatic programs, such as swimming, boating and yachting.

The area beauty is added by several temples located on the mountains. Many scenic walks can be undertaken. There is also a beautiful river winding piercing the mountains where you can have boat trip. The scenic area contains more than 680 different stone peaks, stone fortresses, walls, pillars and stone bridges. Yangyuan Hill and Zhanglao Peak face each other across a river. The hill is renowned for the marvelous Yangyuan Stone, which looks like a male genital.

The area has moderate subtropical climate suitable to rich variety of plants. These ancient Danxia Phoenix Trees 'Dharma Orchid' are very rare and most distinguished species of the mountain. It was discovered in 1987, that only tree of this species existed in the world. Moreover, 28 ancient trees are more than 100 years old. Out of them 14 trees are more than three centuries old.

Therefore, as soon flowering season arrives, the sweet scent of the orchid tree lingers & thrives in the mountain and visitors swarm to its attraction. Visitors arrive here and take photos, some giggling and posing. And if that’s not enough silly selfie opps, there’s a trail from here to Breast Rock and elsewhere there’s a narrow cleft some imagine as a women private part.

Moreover, the mountain has been a busy place for various religious activities. The mountain prospered a great number of poems, carvings and inscriptions praising the bewitching scenery were left behind by writers, poets and painters throughout past dynasties. The Xianglong Lake sits to the south of Zhanglao Peak, named so because the lake resembles a flying dragon.

There are numerous attractions that make the Danxia range interesting. The area has the different stone formation.

• Yang Yuan Stone, bearing a remarkable resemblance to a phallus
• Yin Yuan Stone, which somewhat resembles the female vulva.
• Breasts Stone, human breast-shaped rocky outcrops on a cliff hanging 30 m above the ground.
• Sleeping Beauty, a rocky range resembling a sleeping maiden.

World Heritage Site

In the 2010 UNESCO list of world heritage sites, Mount Danxia was recorded as a natural World Heritage Site as part of China's Danxia landform. Whenever you go to China, you must visit Mount Danxia, it’s a must see area. You will bring unforgettable memories with Mount Danxia. Also Read: Mount Katmai Eruption! Biggest Bang of 20th Century

Source: CP

Rainbow Mountains China

Rainbow Mountains China had a hard time believing that this mind-blowing mountain formation was actually real. But believe it or not this Technicolor range actually exists. It is located inside of the Zhangye Danxia National Geopark 30km west of Zhangye City, Gansu Province, China. The park covers an area of 322 square km and contains 2 separate Danxia regions. Seven Colored Mountains and Ice Valley (Bing Gou Danxia) is its own separate park. The naturally formed landscape is alive with shades of green, orange, blue, emerald, red and yellow. There is a full seven differentiations of color. This exclusive feature has been given the monikers the eye candy of Zhangye and China’s Rainbow Mountains.

Approximately 24 million years of natural erosion brought out the mountain’s distinctive layers and dazzling colors. The multicolor layers of sandstone and minerals were pressed together and then buckled up by tectonic plates. A similar formation exists in British Columbia called “Rainbow Range” formed from a mixture of volcanic rock and various minerals. While Peru has the similar type multihued “Vinicna Mountains”. The mountains are famous for their otherworldly colors that mimic a rainbow painted over the tops of rolling mountains. Danxia was mapped by Chinese archaeologists in the 1920s and 1930s. It is remained relatively unknown outside of the region at that time.

The Rainbow Mountains was featured in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009. It is the ultimate destination for many international and Chinese’s tourists. Some photographs are really incredible, may be manipulation going on to make the colors pop a bit more than they would naturally. The Rainbow Mountains China is a geological wonder of the world. However the mountains forms seem as if they could be man-made creations. But rainbow layer cookies or painted canvases and their coloration is a completely natural phenomenon.

There are lots of rocky landscapes in China referred to as “Danxia” because this translated means something along the lines of “rosy clouds”. The numerous rock formations similarly like an assortment of imaginary shapes like mythical creatures, castles, palaces and distant cities. Their beautiful peaks looking through the clouds and mist at times, display a mirage like scenery, of fantastical pavilions and mountains. However, when two of the earth’s plates collided, these mountains formed on this previously flat piece of land. The most common questions come in mind, how did the rainbow Mountains form?

How Did Rainbow Mountains China in the Geological Sense

Zhangye was formed under special geologic conditions, which involves various erosion activity, oxidation and tectonic plate activity. The effect is similar to a layer cake. Rain, wind and eons of time sculpted unique shapes that include pillars, ravines, towers with infinite patterns and sizes. Before the Himalayan Mountains formed, the Rainbow Mountains are cretaceous sandstones and siltstones that were deposited in China. The sand and silt was deposited with iron and trace minerals that give it with the vital ingredient to form the colors. Much like when two cars get in a wreck and the bumpers fold and break, a similar process folded what was once flat sandstones into the Rainbow Mountains we see today. This process uplifted mountains and exposed sedimentary rocks that were otherwise hidden well below the surface of the earth. Moreover, weathering and erosion detached the overlying layers of continental siliciclastic rocks and bare underlying formations with different mineralogy and chemistry. Due to this reason, the amazing color variation seen across the Rainbow Mountains. Therefore, the precipitated groundwater moves through the sandstone grains and deposits trace minerals in between the grains. This natural process imparts the trace minerals let for the eerie coloring of sandstones around the world.

Today Zhangye Danxia Geopark has become a major tourist attraction in China. A series of well access roads and boardwalks, have been constructed to increase greater tourist exploration of rock formations. Hence watching Rainbow Mountains China in person almost looks, as someone came through with a giant can of spray paint and painted lines across the mountains. Indeed the real fact is that, this is a natural formation, a truly mind blowing. From the ground it would be hard to see the striations and variations of colors. Because you have to climb up to the viewing platform, it’s feels like someone has opened your eyes to a fairy-tale world you never knew existed. It will be far more crowded July and August and on Chinese holidays. During the height of the tourist season, some 20,000 tourists visit daily. 

You will feel that on another planet. You need to pay some attention to which viewing platform to get in. One is North Entrance and the other is West Entrance. Make sure you know which entrance you came in at there will be a sign at the entrance gate. The best time to visit Rainbow Mountains China is May-October when the weather is comfortable and the sun is shining. Because the vivid colors only appear with the rays of sunshine, so avoid a cloudy day. From October till April, Gansu Province is very harsh as sub-freezing temperatures, strong wind and snow can dampen your travel. The best time to visit is in the morning and particularly in the evening, where the color variation changes continuously.

Moreover, myriad hotels in Zhangye City, but not all of them book foreigners. So, book your hotel in advance to avoid any hassle. The Gansu province is a remote area, so not many people speak English. So that’s why did not offer Hotels to Foreigners. These people can’t communicate with and whose standards they don’t understand. The Rainbow Mountains China is absolute a coolest place on earth due to its uniqueness. Not overrun with tourists, and an absolute dream to photograph. So don’t make rush at Rainbow Mountains as its magical awesome! Take your time on each platform and soak in the beauty. This is a landscape like nowhere else in the world, so savor it! Source: CP

These Rainbow Mountains, as people call them, are believed to be the same mountains that are mentioned in the Quran which are of different shades present on the surface of planet Earth. Here is what the Quran says,

“Do you not see that Allah sends down rain from the sky, and We produce thereby fruits of varying colours? And in the mountains are tracts, white and red of varying shades and (some) extremely black” (Surah Fathir verse 27)

The Gorgeous Heavenly Lake, Xinjiang China

Tianchi is an alpine lake in Xinjiang, Northwest China, its means Heavenly Lake and can refer to several lakes in mainland China and Taiwan. This Tianchi lies about 30KM south of Fukang and 45KM east of Ürümqi. It is an alpine drift lake shaped in the Quaternary Glacier period. The lake is classified as a highest level scenic area by the China National Tourism Administration. This crescent-shaped water area deserves its name, Pearl of Heavenly Mountain with melted snow as its source, enjoys crystal water. Besides the lake, one of the most visited spots in the Tianchi Scenic Zone is Mount Bogda, whose spectacular natural features include glaciers and canyons, winding brooks and falls, and dense forests and meadows.

In the previous centuries the lake was known with Yaochi. The Tianchi Lake covering area is 4.9 square kilometers.  The surface of the lake itself is at an altitude of about 2,000 meters or about 6,600 feet, and it is about 100 meters at the deepest point. In summer, the lake is an ideal place to see changing silvery mountains soaring into the blue sky. The lakes slopes highlighted with verdant pasture and flamboyant wild flowers, fishing at dusk has its own special charm. A decade ago, the lake area was increased 158 km² to 548 km², to increase the tourism. The lake is accessible by Provincial Highway 111 from Fukang. From Mid-June till September, the lake has high season and there will be sea of local/global people. There will be long queues everywhere, particularly transports to the summit.

The Heavenly Lake is surrounded by various rugged and forested valleys that lead down to the lake from closely surrounding peaks that reach about 2,400 meters. There is a hiking trail that goes around it. Moreover, there’s obvious difference in temperature in day and in night in Xinjiang and temperature in some scenic spots is maybe lower due to the high elevation or weather change. Thus, it is still essential to take along a coat or woolen sweater to keep warm in summer. In 1982 Heavenly Lake and Heavenly Mountain Scenic Area became one of the first national-level scenic spots and in 1990 it was added on the list of Bogda Nature Preserve of Man and the Biosphere by the UNESCO. There are many interesting spots around the lake; there are more than ten ancient temples. Moreover, they are many valuable herb medicines grow on Mt. Heavenly. The mountain is also called treasure bowl, due to more than 20 kinds of animals, 40 different kind of birds and over 100 kind of insects can be find here.

The Unique Red Beach of Panjin Liaoning, China

When you think about beach then sand is probably the first thing that comes to mind. But here in this case with the Red Beach located in Dawa County, Panjin, Liaoning, China, which is, actually, red, and not covered in sand at all. The red beach is well-known for its landscape featuring the red plant of Suaeda salsa o the Chenopodiaceae family. The Panjin Red beach has transformed to a crimson red with the arrival of autumn that grows along its shores takes on a crimson hue as it matures. The result is a sea of red as far as the eye can see, marshland is very rare as the seepweed “also identified as seablite,”common to coastal areas is green. A beautiful recreational wooden path, perhaps the most wonderful one of its kind in China, has been built for sightseers to mingle with waterfowls, relish the imaginary wetland views and experience rich and profound local culture. This is land of fish and rice, an exclusive culinary culture has been developed from last decade or so. A spectacular winter fishing event is held every year in nearby Wolong Lake.

It is based in the biggest wetland and reed marsh in Formation. Panjin Shuangtaizi River mouth state-level nature protection area reserves the most completed ecosystem and the biggest wetland in the world. More than 260 kinds of birds and 399 kinds of wild animals live in it. It was promoted to the state-level nature protection area in 1988 has applied to join the International person and biosphere protectorate network. It is a fantastic getaway where vacationers can do more than sightseeing. They can experience ecological agriculture, going to paddy fields to see cute crop pictures and even having their own customized croplands. Specializing in the use of bio-energy, the resort offers splendid environment-friendly rural scenery.

Since the 1984 inception of Panjin City, the Red Beach has been developed as an eco-tourist destination. Moreover the largest reed marsh in Asia is attracting many tourists. The reeds are used to make paper. The red-crowned crane also reproduces here and it is also the scarce black-mouth gull's largest breeding area. The landscape is composed of shallow seas and tide-lands. Red Beach sees the flawless blend of natural scenery and industrial development. Nevertheless Panjin is a famous oil city, so in the vicinity of the scenic spot, there are rows of derricks and extraction equipment. Many thanks to the strict clean production practice, no oil stain can be found on the production platforms.

The ground is a deep red, as if though paint was spilled over it. There is nothing but red for miles around. As the land is very flat, many Chinese people have dubbed it “red carpet beach”. It spans over 51 square miles of coastal land. The location of the beach on the coast means the soil is incredibly saline, which is the perfect condition for seepweed to thrive. Unlike most plants, which cannot cope with the salt in the soil, seepweed needs the saline conditions to grow. During the summer, the seepweed is a lush green color. However, as it matures in autumn, the leaves turn a deep red color before eventually becoming purple. Over the winter, the plant dies down and prepares to regrow in the spring.

The unbelievable seasonality of the beach has fascinated lots of tourists over the years. The wetland offers a superior environment for rice to grow. The cattail bamboo shoots or pusun is a plant native to the lower reaches of the Liaohe River. However, pusun is very sensitive to its environment; it can only grow wild and has a very low yield. This nutrient-rich food is enjoyed by numerous people.  Though the Red Beach is usually safe for the tourists visiting it, the local wildlife and its biodiversity are themselves under threat. There is a history of tension between protection of the wetlands and economically driven human activity. Therefore, seafood farms and rice paddies compete with wildlife for food and space as well. In the recent years, there have been better efforts made to further protect the local ecosystems, out of recognition that biodiversity therein is key to the maintenance of clean water and prevention of flooding for humans and animals alike. Hence, travelers should pay heed to such considerations, and not try to stray from the designated wooden path, which is designed around sustainable principles of eco-tourism.

Chan D Ya Cliff, China

In South Western of Chinese Autonomous Region of Guizhou province, there’s a cliff named “Chan D Ya”, producing the smooth and rounded eggs shaped stones falling to the grounds. This is a 30 years process as per local people have observed for years as the eggs ‘incubate’ in hollow overhangs on the cliff and eventually fall to the ground. The Chan D Ya, meaning “Cliff to Lay Eggs”, formed more than 500 million years ago, contains a certain part of calcareous rocks. It has an uneven surface but every three decades it emits these odd-shaped rocks. The peoples of nearby village Gulu have been scratching their heads over several years as they keep finding impeccably smooth rocks.

The geologists believe the egg-shaped stones are in result of different erosion of each stone, to destroy each type of rock and led to the exclusive formation of stone eggs. However, not sure about smoothness and rounded stones, why the site is composed of limestone. However, the specific section of cliff, which is part of Mount Gandeng, is made of calcareous rock that is common in many regions on Earth.

Such formations are considered good luck premises and those who can get or take the 'eggs' from the stone. Or may collect from the ground, as they fall with a positive frequency over the years and carry to their house, they get an amulet. The “eggs” arise in a time-spaced period; it is about 30 years between the appearances of new oval forms on the cliff. Chan D Ya, cliff is 19 ft high and 65ft long. The local peoples have different superstitions, and collect eggs to take home because they thought; these stones bring good luck and blessing. This is reason, only 70 stones are preserved, however the others may have been sold or stolen.