Lanzhou Zhongshan Bridge, the first Bridge over the Yellow River in Lanzhou

It is the first bridge over the Yellow River of all the 10 bridges now spanning the Yellow River in Lanzhou. The construction of the iron bridge was finished in 1907 during the reign of Guangxu in Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911 ).

The bridge was 234 meters long and 7.5 meters wide with 6 pillars and 5 steel arches. In 1907, at the suggestion of the local officials, with the support and help of the German businessman, Qing Government started to build the first bridge over the Yellow River.

To commemorate Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the bridge was renamed Zhongshan Bridge (Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s bridge).

Before Zhongshan Bridge was constructed, there were some floating bridges over the Yellow River. Only one such bridge had been kept before the iron bridge was built, which was known as Zhen Yuan Floating Bridge. The floating bridge was composed of over 20 ships, connected up by ropes and chains.

Used for over 500 years, the Zhen Yuan Floating Bridges was finally retired in 1909, when the iron bridge was constructed. This iron bridge is the First Bridge over the Yellow River.

Today, people come here more than just to see the iron bridge. By and below the iron bridge there are some leisure activities such as Sheepskin Rafts on the Yellow River, take a chairlift up to the North Pagoda Hill…

A huge stele on a turtle inscribed with the words – The First Bridge over the Yellow River.