13 Engineering Wonders to See in China

Engineering Wonders to See in China

From the Great Wall to the Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City, and Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site, China, a cradle of civilization, boasts several engineering wonders. As the second most populous nation in the world, China is home to some of the most brilliant engineering wonders in Asia.

 

Over the last few years, China has become a popular tourist destination due to its engineering feats, making it one of the best places to visit for the holidays with family and friends. Here, I will explore thirteen engineering wonders to see in China.

 

13 Engineering Wonders to See in China

There are several engineering wonders to see in China. They include;

1.    Beijing National Stadium

Situated in Northern Beijing, the Beijing National Stadium, or Bird’s Nest, is one of the biggest engineering wonders of China. Construction commenced in 2004 and ended in 2008 before the Summer Olympics in China. The stadium has since become a popular tourist destination.

 

Designed by Li Xinggang, this beautiful architectural wonder features several places where people gather, including restaurants, bars, and shops. You can take a stroll around the stadium for leisure. The Beijing National Stadium offers an array of captivating attractions that make it a must-visit destination.

 

2.    Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge is an astounding engineering wonder of China. With a total length of about 55 kilometers (34 mi), the Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai bridge is the longest sea crossing in the world.

 

The bridge features a series of three cable-stayed bridges, an undersea tunnel, and four artificial islands. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge is a must-see for visitors of all ages.

 

3.    The Three Gorges Dam

The Three Gorges Dam is one of the biggest engineering wonders in China. Located near Sandouping town in Yiling District, Yichang, Hubei province, China, the Three Gorges Dam is the largest hydroelectric dam in the world. It spans across an impressive 2,335 meters (7,660 feet) in length across the Yangtze River in China. It cost about 56 billion US dollars to build.

 

The Three Gorges Dam boasts the largest ship lift in the world, with five-tier ship locks at both ends of the complex, which makes it easy to move vessels of up to 10,000 tons or more past the dam at a quicker pace.

 

As the world’s largest power plant, the dam features 32 turbine generators, making it the most productive hydroelectric dam in the world, with the capacity to generate 22,500 megawatts of electricity. In 2020, the hydroelectric plant set a new record for annual power generation volume of about 111.88 terawatt hours.

4.    The World’s Grandest Bullet Train System

China boasts one of the grandest bullet train systems in the world, measuring a great distance of about 36,000 kilometers (22,369 miles) as of 2023. This network encompasses newly built and existing rail lines, ranging from 200 to 380 kilometers per hour. It connects China’s provinces and major cities and provides cheap and comfortable transportation for residents.

 

Traveling across China on this network takes about 8 hours and costs around 140 USD. By 2035, experts project the network will expand to about 70,000 kilometers, solidifying its position as the lengthiest high-speed rail network in the world.

 

5.    The Shanghai Tower

Opened in 2015, the Shanghai Tower in China is the world’s second tallest building. The tower features an elevated deck at the top, offering breathtaking views of landmarks such as the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Center.

 

You will also have the opportunity to glimpse the largest river in central Shanghai, the Huangpu River, and on a clear day, you might even catch sight of distant mountains.

 

The Shanghai Tower also boasted the world’s fastest elevators, with a top speed of 20.5 meters per second (74 km/h; 46 mph) until the Guangzhou CTF Finance Center surpassed it in 2017 with elevators that reached speeds of 21 meters per second (76 km/h; 47 mph).

 

The structure is uniquely composed of nine cylindrical buildings stacked on each other, with a total of 127 floors, making it one of the best places to visit during a holiday.

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6.    The Great Wall of China Restoration

The Great Wall of China is a popular tourist destination, stretching over 13,000 miles. Best known for its unique architectural structures, cultural heritage, and historical significance, the Great Wall of China is an engineering marvel for many people worldwide. The Wall has undergone several restorations, with different sections built during various dynasties.

 

Skilled workers use traditional methods and materials to repair damaged sections, reinforce weak areas, and improve visitor facilities. These efforts highlight the Wall’s engineering wonder. It symbolizes China’s ancient civilization and architectural achievements.

 

7.    National Grand Theater, Beijing

Another modern engineering wonder of China is the National Grand Theatre, known as The Giant Egg. Designed by French architect Paul Andreu in 2007, the National Centre for the Performing Arts is the largest theatre complex in Asia.

 

The dome measures 212 meters from east to west, 144 meters from north to south, and 46 meters high. The complex includes 105,000 square meters of the main building and 60,000 square meters underground.

 

Located near Tiananmen Square, the egg-shaped theatre features three spaces: the Concert Hall to the east, the Drama Theatre to the west, and the Opera House in the middle.

 

Additionally, the center boasts an opera hall, music hall, theatre, art exhibition halls, restaurants, audio shops, and other supporting facilities, offering the best experience possible.

8.    The Qinghai–Tibet Railway

This is a high-elevation railway line in China between Xining, Qinghai Province, and Lhasa. The Qinghai–Tibet Railway is the Highest railway line in the world (highest elevation 5,072 meters or 16,640 feet).

 

In 2006, the Qinghai–Tibet Railway line connected Tibet, China’s last province to have a railway, to the national rail network. With the Highest station, Highest railway line, and Highest tunnel in the world, the Qinghai–Tibet Railway is one of the Greatest feats in modern Chinese history.

 

9.    Space Travel

One of China’s Greatest engineering achievements is space travel. In 2012, China became only the third country to send people to space. China conducts the highest number of orbital launches annually, making space travel one of the Greatest feats in modern Chinese history.

 

In 2019, China’s Chang’e lunar exploration program became the first spacecraft to land on the far side of the Moon. In 2021, China successfully launched its space station, Tiangong.

 

That same year, China’s Tianwen-1 mission landed the Zhurong rover on Mars, the first successful landing for the country. By 2030, experts in China plan to land astronauts on the Moon.

Also read: 7 Amazing Architectural Designs in China

10. China National GeneBank

One modern engineering wonder of China is the National GeneBank. China’s first national-level gene storage bank, the China National GeneBank (CNGB), was approved and funded by the Chinese government and officially opened on September 22, 2016.

 

Located on the Dapeng Peninsula in Shenzhen, CNGB aims to support public welfare, life science research, and industry incubation through effective bioresource conservation, digitalization, and utilization. Initiated by China’s National Development programs, CNGB covers over 47,500 square meters and is the world’s fourth national-level gene bank.

 

CNGB has preserved over 10 million bio-samples and works with more than 100 organizations in human health, biodiversity, and evolution, making it a must-see for medical students and enthusiasts.

 

11. Shougang Iron Works Blast Furnace

Situated in Caofeidian, Tangshan, china boasts the largest blast furnace in the world. Annually, the Shougang Iron Works Blast furnace produces about five million tons of steel, valued at 12 billion RMB. The place is one of the most historic industrial heritage sites in Shougang Park.

 

12.  C919 big passenger plane

The C919 airliner is the first homegrown passenger jet in China. Launched in 2015, C919 showcases China’s capability to manufacture large passenger aircraft and to compete with Airbus’ A320 and the Boeing 737.

 

Also, it boasts a large international network, as shown by the interest it generated at the Singapore Airshow in February 2024. Experts predict that C919 will strengthen China’s capacity and manufacturing power.

 

13. The Shanghai Maglev

The Shanghai Maglev is the world’s first commercial high-speed magnetic levitation (maglev) train line in Shanghai, China. This line connects Shanghai’s Pudong Airport to Longyang Road station, covering a distance of 30 kilometers in about seven and a half minutes.

 

Before May 2021, the train had a maximum cruising speed of 431 km/h (268 mph), making it the fastest train service in commercial operation. Currently, the train has a maximum cruising speed of 300 km/h (186 mph).

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Frequently Asked Questions

1.    What are the engineering wonders of China?

China has several engineering wonders, which include the Beijing National Stadium and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. Others include the Qinghai-Tibet–Tibet Railway, the National Grand Theater, the Three Gorges Dam, The Shanghai Tower, and the Shanghai Maglev.

 

2.    What are the engineering accomplishments of China?

The engineering accomplishments of China include the Three Gorges Dam and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. Others are the Qinghai-Tibet–Tibet Railway, the National Grand Theater, the Great Wall of China, and the Shanghai Tower.

 

3.    What are the engineering feats of China?

One major engineering feat of China is the Great Wall of China. Others include the Grand Canal, the Three Gorges Dam, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, the Qinghai-Tibet–Tibet Railway, the Shanghai Maglev, and the Shanghai Tower.

 

Final thoughts – 13 Engineering Wonders to See in China

China’s engineering marvels are a testament to the country’s innovation and ambition. From ancient wonders like the Great Wall to modern feats like the Shanghai Maglev and the National Grand Theatre, China continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible. As China looks to the future, it will be exciting to see what new engineering marvels it creates.