Tibet builds modern bridges to replace rope bridges

5/11/2010

84 rope bridges in Tibet's Chamdo, Nagqu, Nyingchi and Xigaze prefectures will be replaced with modern bridges, according to the Tibet Poverty Alleviation Office.

Some 40,000 farmers and herdsmen who travel with the rope bridges will be more convenient to the outside world.

In July, 2009, China invested 23 million yuan in building simple bridges to replace 18 rope bridges. The rest totaled 66 will cost around 200 million yuan.

Taking the cultural and historical values of rope bridge, the country will remain the original features of rope bridge while building the modern ones.

A rope bridge is a bridge constructed chiefly of rope. It can be one or two ropes that bridge a river, enabling the travelers to be supported in their crossing and not be swept away. In the mountain regions in southwestern China, rope bridge is the main transportation method for the Tibetan and Lisu ethnic people.

Source:China Tibet Information Center