Back in the 1400s, some Japanese men thought of building an engineering marvel that could not only make it easier to travel but be a miracle in itself. Unfortunately, it was in the 1800s that the dream was fulfilled and the first suspension bridge was constructed. The length of the main span, or the length of the suspended roadway between the bridge’s tower, is what makes suspension bridges even more interesting.
Whether you are an engineer or an architect who wants to marvel at these iconic designs, a traveler who wants to feel the vibrations on a suspension bridge, or even if you are an online reader looking for information, here is the list of the ten Longest Suspension Bridges in the world, according to their main span, just for you.
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Longest Suspension Bridges
Here is the list of the longest Suspension Bridges in the world:
1. West Gate Bridge, Melbourne Australia (8474 feet)
The West Gate Bridge is an iconic landmark in Melbourne, Australia. Spanning the Yarra River, it serves as a vital transportation link connecting the western suburbs to the central business district. With its distinctive design and towering presence, the bridge is not only a functional infrastructure but also a symbol of the city’s growth and progress.
The construction of the West Gate Bridge was completed in 1978, after overcoming significant engineering challenges. It stands as one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in Australia, with its impressive span and towering pylons capturing the attention of both locals and visitors.
The bridge plays a crucial role in easing traffic congestion and facilitating the movement of commuters, tourists, and freight between different parts of Melbourne. It serves as a key artery for road transport, accommodating thousands of vehicles daily.
Seeing this bridge in person is a sight to behold. If you’re looking to travel to Australia, get help acquiring a visa from Australia’s most trusted visa experts – IMMagine Immigration
2. 1915 çanakkale bridge, Turkey (6,637 ft)
The 1915 Çanakkale Bridge is a suspension bridge in Turkey that connects the Marmara Sea and the Aegean Sea. The bridge is constructed over the Çanakkale Strait, linking the continents of Europe and Asia, and opened in 2022. With its impressive span and architectural design, the bridge serves as a significant transportation corridor, enhancing connectivity and promoting economic growth in the region.
The 1915 Çanakkale Bridge holds great historical and symbolic significance, as it commemorates the 1915 Gallipoli Campaign during World War I, emphasizing the unity, strength, and resilience of the Turkish nation. This bridge became an iconic landmark and a symbol of national pride for Turkey.
3. Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, Kobe, Japan (6,532 feet)
With a length of almost four kilometers, the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the world. Opened to the public in 1991, it is an engineering feat that is yet to be paralleled. This bridge connects the Japanese city of Kobe to the beautiful Awaji Island, an island famous for Naruto whirlpools.
Not only does the bridge has a main span of almost two kilometers, but it also has a series of observation hallways underneath, for those who want to see the construction. These hallways are famously called the Maiko Marine Promenade. Also, the Bridge Exhibition Center in Kobe is a go-to.
How to reach:
To reach Kobe, you can take a flight to Tokyo and then a high-speed train or a shinkansen, as it is called in Japan, to Kobe. The train journey takes three hours but may be expensive for some. Also, you can take an overnight bus to Kobe for a lesser amount. The bridge is a short walk from the JR Santo Line in Kobe.
4. Yangsigang Yangtze River Bridge
The Yangsigang Yangtze River Bridge opened to traffic on October 8, 201 in Wuhan, Hubei, China. It is the second-largest suspension bridge span in the world with a length of 1,700 meters (5,577 feet) across the Yangtze River. The bridge connects the Hanyang and Wuchang.
This bridge is 4.13 kilometers long, with 12 lanes in both directions on the main bridge. It is a suspension bridge with the largest capacity in the world.
How to reach:
The Wuhan Tianhe International Airport (WUH) is an hour away from the downtown area. You can reach the city by taking the train, or ride the bus downtown.
5. Nansha Bridge
Nansha Bridge, also known as the Second Humen Bridge opened to traffic on April 2, 2019. It spans the Pearl River in Guangzhou City, the capital of South China’s Guangdong Province. It is the widest suspension bridge in the world which connects Guangzhou with Dongguan City. It has a total of eight traffic lanes.
How to reach:
Nansha Bridge is accessible by express bus, the Guangzhou Metro, a ferry from Hong Kong, and by taxi. This suspension bridge is about 100km from the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and 45km from the Shenzhen Airport.
6. Xihoumen Bridge, Zhoushan, China(5, 413 feet)
The Xihoumen Bridge Zhoushan forms the last part of the expressway that connects the Zhoushan Archipelago to the mainland. The island that constitutes the Zhoushan Archipelago is famous for its fishery, its beautiful shores, and its remarkable Taoist culture. The bridge connects Cezi Island to Jintang. Zhoushan is also famous for the Mt. Putoshan Scenic spot, near which is a Buddhist temple. Not only this but to reach the bridge itself, you will be happy to cross two beautiful bridges and a railway tunnel.
How to reach:
To reach Zhoushan, you can take a flight from Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen, and Tianjin to Zhoushan Putoshan International Airport. And then you can travel to Lidiao, and then to Fuchi Island, via the Zhoushan Expressway. Then you can take the railway to Cezi Island, from where you can visit the bridge.
7. Great Belt Bridge, Zealand, Denmark (5,328 feet)
The Great Belt Bridge just like the Xihoumen Bridge is part of an expressway, called the Great Belt Fixed Link. The Great Belt Fixed Link links the Danish Islands Zealand and Funen. First proposed in the 1850s, it took almost a century for the link to come into existence. It is a link that took a new law to be enacted and a lawsuit to be won to finally start being constructed. Not only this, a commission was established in 1948, to investigate the implications of this construction. The Great Belt Bridge, which is a part of this link, is also called Storebælt Bridge and connects Nyborg to Korsør. It is one of the few bridges open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This makes the bridge famous for its heavenly sunrises and sunsets.
How to reach:
To reach Zealand for watching Great Belt Suspension Bridge, you can take a flight from anywhere in the world to Copenhagen and then take a train to Zealand. The trains are available throughout the day and take only half an hour, and are operated by the Danish Railways. Or if you want a taxi, you can take one, but it’s usually five to ten times the train tickets.
8. Osman Gazi Bridge, Turkey (5090 feet)
This bridge connects the Turkish city of Gebze to the Yalova Province, over the Gulf of Izmit. Named after the founder of the Ottoman Empire, Osman Gazi, who was the founder of the empire that ruled for centuries before the first world war. Not only is the bridge named after the Ottoman Empire Founder, but it is also one of the bridges that are considered engineering feats due to the bridge in one of the most seismically active areas in the world. This bridge is a part of the Otoyol-5 motorway in Turkey.
How to reach:
You can catch a flight to Istanbul from almost anywhere in the world. Then, you can take an hour-long train, bus, or taxi to the city of Gebze. The railway station is only 15 kilometers away from the bridge.
9. Yi Sun-Sin Bridge, South Korea (5069 feet)
Located near the south coast of South Korea, this bridge objects the city of Gwangyang to Yeosu. The bridge is named after the South Korean Admiral who built the first ironclad warships, also called turtle ships in 1545. These ships helped the Koreans beat the Japanese in the Imjim War. The Yu Sun Sun bridge has also made it to the finalist for the Outstanding Structure Award in 2013. One visit to the bridge will almost leave you gawking.
How to reach:
To reach the Yeosu side of the bridge, you can take a flight from Seoul. Also, taxis are available. Trains are also available which take roughly three and a half hours from Seoul to Yeosu. Buses are even cheaper but take almost double the time.
10. Runyang Yangtze River Bridge, China (4,888 feet)
There are two marvelous bridges that connect the city of Yangzhou to the city of Jiangsu ( Zhejiang province) across the Yangtze River, with Yangzhou to the north and Zhejiang to the south. The South Bridge is a suspension bridge and one can reach Zhejiang. The place is famous for its fragrant black vinegar, the recipe for which dates back to 1400 years. While you are there, don’t forget to see the natural spring and try the mouth-watering delights. The scenic beauty of beauty has been an inspiration for various Chinese painters.
How to reach:
The province of Zhejiang lies between the major train line connecting Nanjing and Shanghai, and one can visit from either side. Also, regular trains, bullet trains, and buses are available from nearby destinations. Bus travel is cheaper but can take two times longer than train journeys.
11. Nanjing Fourth Yangtze River Bridge, China(4652 feet)
Originating from the city of Nanjing, this bridge connects the towns of Hengliang, Long Pao, Xianling, and Qilin. If you want to visit, you can make various pitstops along the way, and enjoy the food and culture. Also, this bridge is a part of the Nanjing-Nantong Highway, which means that your journey to Nantong could be an unforgettable experience if you choose to use the bridge.
How to reach:
The Nanjing Lukou international airport has flights arriving from the whole of China, and also Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Germany. If you want to fly in from countries other than these, you can take a flight to any of the major cities and then travel to Nanjing. The airport is about 35kms from the city center and you can take a shuttle bus or a subway to the city center.
12. Humber Bridge, United Kingdom (4626 feet)
The Humber Bridge is a not-so-famous suspension bridge in the United Kingdom. It connects the counties of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. This bridge will relay you from the Hessle to Barton upon Humber. Though the planning for the bridge began in the 1930s, it wasn’t until 1981 that the bridge was opened to the public by Queen Elizabeth ii herself. For those who want to enjoy this bridge, they should take the lane for pedestrians and bicyclists. If you arrive on the first Sunday of any month, you can also witness the Humber Bridge Farmers Market in its own glory. Also, the Humber Bridge Fun Race and Humber Bridge Marathon are organized every summer. Along with being one of the longest suspension bridges, this bridge is, unfortunately, one of the most popular suicide spots in the world.
How to reach:
The bridge can be reached from either Lincolnshire or Yorkshire. To reach Hessle, you can fly into the Robin Hood Airport and then travel four more hours to reach Hessle. The bridge is about a fifteen-minute walk from the Hessle Ferriby.
To arrive from Barton-Upon-Humber, you can take trains from London, Nottingham, Peterborough, and Leicester.
13. Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, Turkey (4619 feet)
Named after the ninth Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Selim, this bridge was opened to the public in the presence of dignitaries from various countries. Selim was the Sultan who expanded the empire into the Middle East and North Africa. Interestingly, this bridge connects the two parts of the national capital Istanbul, which are separated by the Bosphorus, a water channel. The toll for the bridge is a little higher, and also there is an ongoing debate about the name of the bridge. This bridge should not be if you plan on venturing to the Turkish Capital anytime soon.
How to reach:
The bridge is only a twenty-seven-minute drive from the airport and a taxi can easily take you there.
14. Jiangyin Bridge, China (4,544 feet)
The fourth Chinese bridge in the list, it is yet another bridge constructed over the Yangtze River. It connects Jiangyin to Jingjiang, with Jiangyin lying to the south of the bridge and Jingjiang to the north. This bridge was opened in 1977 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Revolution. Interesting, I must admit.
How to reach:
You can fly into Shanghai Pudong Airport and then travel to Jingjiang via taxi(which takes about two and a half hours), a bus(which takes roughly five hours), or you could fly to Nanjing and take a bus to Jingjiang.
15. Tsing Ma Bridge, China (4,517.7 ft)
The Tsing Ma Bridge is an iconic suspension bridge located in Hong Kong, spanning across the Ma Wan Channel and connecting the Hong Kong International Airport on Lantau Island with the urban areas of Hong Kong. It is one of the world’s longest suspension bridges that carries both road and rail traffic.
The bridge, named after the nearby Tsing Yi Island and Ma Wan, was opened to the public in 1997. It serves as a vital transportation link, providing a direct route between the airport and the city center. The Tsing Ma Bridge plays a significant role in easing traffic congestion and improving connectivity in the region.
Read More, Best Natural Bridges Around the World
These are the longest Suspension Bridges in the world. You can roam the world and see these manmade miracles.
A. Mackinac Bridge was one of the four longest suspension bridges for more than 40 years but after 1998 many suspension bridges were made all across the world. Now, it is the 25th longest suspension bridge in the world with 1,158 m (3,799.2 ft) length.
A. Truss bridges
A. Arkadiko Bridge
A. 7 Main types of bridges:
1. Beam Bridge.
2. Truss Bridge.
3. Cantilever Bridge.
4. Arch Bridge.
5. Tied Arch Bridge.
6. Suspension Bridge.
7. Cable-stayed Bridge.