Humen Bridge
The bridge is not only a substantial part of the expressway net in the Pearl River Delta area, but also a landmark tourist destination in Dongguan.
The bridge, completed in 1997, was the first large suspension bridge designed and constructed by China independently and is a crucial transport junction. It spans the estuary of the Pearl River, which flows into the South China Sea, and its completion greatly advanced the economic development of Guangdong. It has also reduced the travel between Hong Kong and Shenzhen to Zhuhai by 120 kilometers (74.6 miles).
It is located in Weiyuan Island and has a total length of 15.76 kilometers (9.8 miles) with the main bridge being 4.58 kilometers (2.8 miles) long. The deck of the bridge carries six, two-way traffic lanes and its main span stretches 888 meters - considered to be the longest in China at that time. This main span has a net height of 60 meters (197 feet) which allows large ships (100,000 tons) to navigate and pass under.
The site of the modern Humen Bridge also contrasts with its historical past, as near to the bridge is the Weiyuan Emplacement which was the site of the Opium Wars of 1840-1842 and 1856-1860. The days of gunpowder smoke are well and truly over, however, and the bridge has turned what was once the 'moat' of the Pearl River into a modern thoroughfare.
The bridge is best viewed at night when it is at its most charming with the bright streetlights shining upon the water below. If walking on the bridge, the enchanting nightscape of the entire city laid out below can be seen.
Tips: Visitors can catch the special-line autobuses going from downtown Dongguan to Weiyuan Emplacement for CNY 7.
Humen Naval Battle Museum
This Naval Battle Museum is located at the east end of the Humen Bridge. Covering an area of about 200,000 square meters (about 49 acres), the museum looks much like a huge warship. The museum's theme is the naval battles during the Opium War (1840-1842) and betrays a graphic view of the struggling Chinese people in the war. The museum mainly consists of three parts: the main hall, sea wall and the memorial square.
Covering an area of 2000 square meters (about 2391 square yards), the main hall is made up of four exhibit halls. Hall No.1 and No.2 are in the themes of 'the Naval Battles in the Opium War'. With a series of paintings and small-sized but vivid models, the display visualizes the course of the sea war during the Opium War. The display shows the tragic history of how the Chinese people defeated the more powerful foreign invaders. In Hall No. 3, paintings of 'the Naval War in Humen in the Opium War' are on exhibit. As well as the vivid models, background sounds of the war add to the reality, and lights are used to simulate those in the war in order to give people a realistic scene of the action and tragedy of war. Hall No. 4 is one of the education bases for drug control. In this hall, a series of pictures, status and articles are displayed to describe the harm of drugs in order to remind people not to use drugs.
Embraced by dense green trees, the main building faces two clear-watered lakes revealing a natural and tranquil scene. In front of the main building, there is a broad memorial square. Standing in the square, people can get a full view of the grand Humen Bridge and the ancient Weiyuan Emplacement (which is one of the relics of the Opium War). Not far from the square, a continuous sea wall over 800 meters (about 875 yards) encircles the museum and the nearby buildings. When people stand on the sea wall, the gentle moist sea breeze touching their faces brings a comfortable feeling.
Facing the estuary of the Pearl River the museum is situated in a beautiful sea setting, and with the many displays, it is truly a place people can learn about history and enjoy beautiful scenery.
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