Shanghai Climb: Hike to the top of Lupu Bridge

We'll admit it: When we first saw the map at ShanghaiClimb.com, we thought it might be an addendum to the "14 ways to die in Shanghai" map. But it's not (not yet, at least -- as far as we know no one died during the first month that normal folk were allowed to walk to the top of the world's longest arch bridge). On April 28, the Shanghai Yangzi International Travel Agency opened the Lupu Bridge hike -- 367 steps to the top of the arch, 100 meters above the Huangpu River. During this "trial-run," the duration of which we aren't sure of, the activity costs 68 RMB. Later the price will get bumped up to 80 RMB. You know, we actually might do this. This is about the closest thing to hiking we've got in downtown Shanghai. (And if walking up a bunch of steps crowded with tourists isn't your idea of "hiking," then you haven't attempted much hiking in China.) We're also intrigued by the hike's "emergency route," which by the looks of the diagram, includes rappelling down one of the bridge's supports.

The Lupu Bridge, like the Nanpu Bridge just north of it, connects Puxi and Pudong. It's an extension of Luban Lu, and if that's not enough lus for you, it's located in Luwan District. It opened in June 2003 to much fanfare -- some tall Shanghainese guy who lives in Houston ran across the bridge as part of the opening ceremony. Back in 2003, one of the bridge's engineers had this to say: "When the bridge is complete, it will take only about half an hour for people to arrive at the city center from Pudong International Airport." We are guessing here, but we assume the engineer followed that statement with something like this: "But what I just said has nothing to do with the Lupu Bridge. I'm talking about the Maglev train that will soon open and offer fast access to the airport. But even that will kind of suck, because the starting point of the Maglev is also in Pudong. Ha! I had nothing to do with that project. I just design bridges."

Check out some photos here.

Shanghai Climb, hike to the top of Lupu Bridge. 10 am to 4 pm. 80 RMB per person (68 RMB during trial-run). Reservations:800-620-0888. Complaints:5302-0661. No. 909 Luban Lu. You can arrive at the Luban Lu bus station or the base of Lupu Bridge, Puxi side.