Xi’an International Port District Bahe Landscape Bridge

Project Profile

Located in the Olympic Sports Center area of Xi’an’s International Port District, this slow-traffic bridge spans the Bahe River. Completed in time for the 14th National Games of China in 2021, the bridge was designed to relieve pedestrian and cyclist traffic from four landmark venues—Xi’an Olympic Center, Chang’an Cloud (Exhibition Center), Chang’an Music (Cultural Center), and the under-design Chang’an Academy—and to strengthen the slow-traffic connectivity across the river.

The 1,478-meter-long bridge (with 867 meters for the main structure) links the greenways along both banks of the Bahe River. It integrates the central axis of the Port District with the ecological axis of the Chanba New District, creating a seamless connection between levee-top roads, riverside trails, and mid-river green paths.

The design minimizes the visual impact of the bridge on four major architectural landmarks—the Olympic Sports Center, Exhibition Center (Chang’an Cloud), Cultural Center (Chang’an Music), and the Chang’an Academy (currently under design)—and adds a striking visual feature to the “Three Rivers and One Mountain” greenway system. The bridge not only serves the needs of slow traffic but also provides optimal viewpoints for appreciating these landmarks and the urban landscape along the Ba River. It acts as a scenic corridor offering varied views as one walks, with platforms reserved for different viewing angles. As an enhancement to the greenway system, the bridge is a shining gem in the slow-traffic network and a vital link between the greenways on both sides of the river in the Olympic precinct.

The design is inspired by the Silk Road, as Xi’an was its historical starting point. Taking silk as the core design motif, the bridge’s railings are made of double-layer perforated aluminum panels. Through modern design techniques and integrated lighting, the bridge appears like a shimmering silver ribbon floating above the Ba River.

The bridge prioritizes cycling and pedestrian use while also accommodating electric scooters. The main bridge has a clear width of 7 meters (3 meters for pedestrians, 4 meters for cyclists). The alignment and span arrangement are designed to avoid existing subway and tunnel structures such as Xiangdong Road Tunnel. The bridge also reserves space for a future waterway for cruise boats (with a minimum clear width of 50 meters and height of 7 meters), meets the needs of kayak training, and provides adequate clearance for pedestrians under the bridge. For the best landscape experience, parts of the bridge separate pedestrians and vehicles, elevating the pedestrian walkway to offer better views of the four major venues. A calm and understated white tone is used to show respect for the surrounding architecture and maintain harmony with the environment.