hangzhou sees a new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists
Construction has concluded on the Grand Canal Gateway Bridge in Hangzhou, a new pedestrian and cyclist crossing by Zaha Hadid Architects. When it opens later this year, the bridge will unite the east and west banks of the Grand Canal, anchoring the 800,000-square-meter Seamless City masterplan and serving as the centerpiece of River Middle Park, an expansive 14.7-hectare public landscape along the water.
The Grand Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the world’s oldest and longest man-made waterway, linking Beijing to Hangzhou and connecting the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers to the Qiantang. The new bridge re-establishes this ancient infrastructure as a civic spine, framing views of the river’s edge and offering residents and visitors a new way to traverse the canal’s breadth. It also integrates public spaces, housing, and workplaces along the banks, transforming the historic waterway into a daily passage once again.
images © Xue Liang
zaha hadid architects bridges the silver dragon
Zaha Hadid Architects’ new bridge spans Hangzhou’s Qiantang River is known for its ‘Silver Dragon’ waterway which flows from Hangzhou Bay with waves reaching nine meters in height. The Grand Canal Gateway Bridge provides secure vantage points to witness this natural event. Its elevated walkways and open plaza gently contour around the landscape, accommodating both the dynamic flow of people and the immense forces of nature below.
The architects draws inspiration from Hangzhou’s heritage of silk embroidery, reinterpreting the act of stitching as a spatial system. Steel arches intertwine to form a continuous loop of movement and support. The bridge’s geometry weaves together pathways and structure, creating a surface that is both structural and tactile.
the Grand Canal Gateway Bridge links the east and west banks of Hangzhou’s historic canal
the serpentine structure
The 390-meter-long bridge uses a tied three-arch steel system, carefully calibrated to the site’s soft ground at the confluence of the canal and river. The form reduces bending moments and lateral forces, ensuring both stability and efficiency. Prefabricated modular elements were assembled on-site to streamline construction and limit disruption to the 100,000 barges that still travel the Grand Canal each year. The resulting structure is lighter than a concrete equivalent while maintaining exceptional strength and durability.
Every aspect of the project reflects an emphasis on precision and sustainability. Digital modeling minimized material use, while locally sourced finishes supported regional craftsmanship. Integrated LED lighting — powered by rechargeable batteries fed by renewable energy — illuminates the bridge at night, tracing its contours in quiet reflection against the river. The bridge’s sculpted concrete pier halves the required span and grounds the structure within the island dividing the canal’s two waterways, reinforcing both equilibrium and visual clarity.
Zaha Hadid Architects designed the bridge as the centerpiece of River Middle Park
the bridge restores pedestrian connection across the UNESCO World Heritage Grand Canal
its elevated walkways frame views of Hangzhou’s powerful Silver Dragon tidal bore
the design draws from the city’s silk embroidery traditions through interwoven steel arches
prefabricated modular construction reduced waste and minimized disruption to river traffic
a tied-three arch steel system ensures stability on the canal’s soft riverbed
project info:
name: Grand Canal Gateway Bridge
architect: Zaha Hadid Architects | @zahahadidarchitects
location: Hangzhou, China
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