You must have heard about or seen or used the world’s longest, the world’s tallest or the world’s highest bridge. These are certainly marvelous engineering feats. But, have you ever seen or heard of naturally formed bridges? Arches maybe, but useable natural rock bridges? Probably not.
You will be surprised to know that natural rock bridges exist in China. They are just 12 kilometers north of Wulong in Chongqing Municipality, China. And they number not just one or two, but a total of three and are in the near vicinity of each other. This complex, called the Three Natural Bridges National Geopark, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The three natural bridges are named ‘Sky Dragon’, ‘Green Dragon’ and ‘Black Dragon’. Their origin of these amazing natural stone bridges is interesting. These started off as caves until the ground underneath collapsed, giving rise to sinkholes, forming the spectacular limestone arches. You can still see the calcite formations on some of the walls of these bridges. These three natural bridges in Wulong also contains waterfalls that drop to the floor below from high up.
For these three natural bridges, China has done much to promote tourism in the area. Once you park your car in the car park on the rim, you can take a glass elevator down into the gorge. From where the elevator leaves you, a flight down the stairs brings you to the entrance of the first natural rock bridge, the Sky Dragon bridge.
Of these three natural bridges, the Sky Dragon Bridge has been made famous by the Chinese film ‘Curse of the golden flower’, starring Chow-Yun Fat and Gong Li. It was shot in this location in 2006. The movie set, comprising Chinese style houses, built for this film can still be seen.
The visit to the three natural bridges is ticketed. You also have to pay for the glass elevator, though the stairway is free. Van service is now available for visiting the three natural bridges that will pick you up at the gorge and transport you to the car park for a fee.
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