Sutong Yangtze River Bridge

Last modified April 6, 2026

Sutong Yangtze River Bridge is a highly acclaimed bridge located in Nantong, China. With a rating of 4.5 out of 5, it stands out as one of the top-rated bridges in the area.

Location

You can find Sutong Yangtze River Bridge at China, Jiangsu, Nantong, Chongchuan District, G15沈海高速 邮政编码: 215536.

Visiting Sutong Yangtze River Bridge

Located in Nantong, China, Sutong Yangtze River Bridge is a bridge that visitors to the area may find worth exploring.

Planning Your Visit

The bridge is located at China, Jiangsu, Nantong, Chongchuan District, G15沈海高速 邮政编码: 215536. GPS coordinates: 31.783535, 121.001171. Check locally for current opening hours and any admission fees before visiting.

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The Sutong Yangtze River Bridge isn’t just a way to get from Nantong to Changshu—it’s a jaw-dropping feat of engineering straddling one of China’s busiest waterways. This cable-stayed bridge actually held the world record for longest main span from 2008 to 2012, stretching a wild 1,088 meters between its towers.

If you’re heading from Shanghai to Nantong, the bridge turned a slow, four-hour ferry slog into a breezy hour-long drive. Locals and travelers alike have been loving this shortcut ever since.

When you first spot the bridge, those twin towers—306 meters high—just dominate the skyline. The entire structure runs more than 8 kilometers, with six lanes of traffic flying across the G15 Expressway.

A lot of people don’t realize how much this bridge changed the region. It links up the wealthier southern cities with the northern parts of Jiangsu, and honestly, it’s been a game-changer since 2008.

Once you’re on the bridge, you can’t help but feel a little awestruck at the scale. There’s 62 meters of clearance underneath, so huge ships glide right through. The American Society of Civil Engineers even recognized it in 2010, which is saying something.

Key Takeaways

• Connects Nantong and Changshu with a 1,088-meter main span—the world’s longest cable-stayed bridge for four years
• Cut travel between Shanghai and Nantong from a four-hour ferry to about an hour by car
• Towers stand 306 meters tall; total bridge length is over 8 kilometers—it’s hard not to be impressed as you cross the Yangtze

About Sutong Yangtze River Bridge

You’ll find the Sutong Yangtze River Bridge linking Nantong and Changshu (technically part of Suzhou) across the mighty Yangtze. That main span? A staggering 1,088 meters. The whole thing stretches 8,206 meters, and it’s not just a bridge—it’s a lifeline for Jiangsu.

History and Significance

Work kicked off in June 2003, and after five years, the bridge opened on May 25, 2008. It was designed by Dr. Robin Sham, a Hong Kong-born British engineer who really knew what he was doing.

The price tag? About $1.7 billion. Those two towers shoot up 306 meters, ranking among the tallest bridge towers anywhere. But honestly, the numbers only tell half the story.

Before the bridge, crossing the Yangtze meant four hours on a ferry. Now, you zip across in about an hour by car. The G15 Shenyang-Haikou Expressway slices straight through, with three lanes each way and a 100 km/h speed limit on the main stretch.

Nantong’s economy took off after the bridge opened. Suddenly, foreign investors weren’t put off by the ferry. Highway access changed everything for this part of Jiangsu.

What Makes It Special

The bridge snagged the 2010 Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement award from the American Society of Civil Engineers. When you see the deck—41 meters wide, steel box girders, those cable stays—it’s hard not to be impressed.

Here’s a tip: there’s a bridge museum right next to the bridge. If you’re even a little curious about how it was built, it’s worth a stop.

The towers use an inverted Y-shaped reinforced concrete design. It’s functional, sure, but it also looks pretty cool from a distance.

Beneath the bridge, you’ve got 62 meters of clearance. Big ships pass through without a hitch—no traffic jams here. If you’re into views, spring and autumn are best. The air’s clear, and you can see for miles down the river valley.

What to See and Do

Honestly, the Sutong Yangtze River Bridge is Nantong’s star attraction. It stretches 32.4 kilometers, with that epic 1,088-meter main span. Crossing it is an experience, but you should definitely stop at the viewing spots for a better look.

Main Attractions and Highlights

Those two towers? They’re impossible to miss, rising dramatically above the Yangtze. For the best photos, head to the Sutong Yangtze River Bridge Viewpoint—you get a front-row seat to the whole cable-stayed setup.

The highway itself is six lanes wide, with cars zipping between Nantong, Suzhou, and the whole Yangtze River Delta. Not everyone knows this was the world’s longest cable-stayed bridge when it opened in 2008.

If you’re a fan of modern bridges, check out the newer Shanghai-Suzhou-Nantong Yangtze River Bridge nearby. That one’s 11,072 meters long and carries both cars and trains. Seeing both up close is pretty wild—they’re like a showcase of what modern engineering can pull off.

Honestly, the bridge is best as a stopover while you’re traveling between cities. There aren’t a ton of tourist facilities right at the bridge, so keep that in mind.

Best Time to Visit

You’ll want to visit in spring (April-May) or autumn (September-October) for the best views. Summer can get humid and hazy, and winter sometimes brings fog that blocks the river.

For photos, early morning or late afternoon light is unbeatable. But if you’re passing through midday, that’s fine too—don’t stress about perfect timing.

The bridge is open all year, and you don’t need a ticket to cross by car. Parking near the viewpoints can be tricky, so check locally. Weekdays are quieter if you want to avoid traffic.

Visitor Information

The Sutong Yangtze River Bridge links Nantong and Changshu (close to Suzhou) in Jiangsu Province. You can’t stop on the bridge itself, but you can drive across or catch a great view from nearby parks.

Location and How to Get There

You’ll find the bridge on the G15 Shenhai Expressway, spanning the Yangtze between Nantong (north bank) and Changshu (south bank). If you’re driving from Shanghai, it’s about 1.5 hours on the expressway, with tolls around $15. The bridge itself is 32.4 kilometers (20.2 miles) long, with the main cable-stayed section measuring 1,088 meters.

Walking or biking isn’t allowed—it’s a six-lane highway, and cars are moving fast (100 km/h on the main stretch). Most people experience the bridge by driving or catching views from riverside parks in Nantong. The Riverside Park nearby is a solid choice, especially the wetland boardwalk, where you can snap photos of the towers rising above the water.

Public transit doesn’t go over the bridge, but you can always grab a Didi or taxi in Nantong if you want someone else to do the driving. It’s a quick ride and honestly, it’s worth it just for the view.

Tips for Visitors

Plan your crossing during daylight hours if you want the best views of the Yangtze. The river stretches out forever beneath you, and from the Sutong Yangtze River Bridge deck, it’s almost dizzying how tiny the cargo ships look way down below.

On a clear day, you can see for miles—sometimes it feels like you’re floating above it all. If you’re a passenger, keep your camera handy; the views are honestly worth a few dozen shots.

Drivers, though, should probably just soak it in and keep their eyes on the road. Early morning or late afternoon brings out the best light, so your photos will thank you.

The bridge gets especially busy during Chinese holidays and weekends. If you’re not a fan of traffic jams, I’d suggest aiming for a weekday morning.

Curious about how this engineering marvel came to be? The Nantong Museum in the city digs into the bridge’s construction and other local infrastructure—it’s a neat stop if you’re into that sort of thing.

If you’ve got the time, pair your bridge crossing with a stroll through Langshan Scenic Area or one of Nantong’s riverside parks. It turns a simple drive into a proper day trip, especially if you’re coming from Shanghai or Suzhou.