Similar to Sydney Harbour Bridge, Shanghai's Lupu Bridge also functions as a sightseeing attraction although most people don't seem to know about it.  Opened in June 2003, Lupu is supposedly the longest steel arch bridge in the world with a main span of 550 meters over the Huangpu River.

The bridge was an issue of controversy even before the start of construction because the design was expensive and many questioned if the expense (2.5 billion RMB) was justified—just so that China could say they had the longest arch bridge in the world (32 meters longer the previous record holder, the New River Gorge Bridge in the United States).
 

A high-speed transparent elevator takes you up to the main deck of the bridge where you then walk up the steps of the pathway along the giant arch of the bridge for about 280 meters until you reach the viewing platform, which is roughly the size of a basketball court. The industrial views of Puxi and Pudong from the top are pretty sweet, as are the cargo boats gliding quietly beneath the bridge and down the river.

During the day, climbing the bridge is a tourist attraction and costs around 80-100 RMB, but at night no one is there and you can go up for free (at your own risk).

At night, ask your taxi driver to stop at the start of the arch midway on the bridge. There is no real place to pull over so they may protest, ignore you and keep driving, so you have to insist that they stop.

If you have visitors in town, this is something pretty neat to do. Pack a few cold ones and go up at night.

The best way to get to Lupu Bridge is to take a taxi. The taxi should cost no more than 30 RMB from the central Pudong of Puxi.

 

                                    Climbing Lupu Bridge at Night [by Juliette McCawley]

Editor's note: It's no longer possible to climb Lupu Bridge at night because now apparently it's illegal and there are now security guards on the bridge to stop you.