Bridges can be works of art just as much as any sculpture, painting or monument. In many ways, they can be even more impressive as they often require considerable feats of engineering. The seven on this list are architecturally unique and prove bridges are about more than transporting you from one point to another.
Paste Travel’s Bucket List columnist Lauren Kilberg is a Chicago-based freelance writer. Her travels have found her camping near the Pakistani border of India and conquering volcanoes in the Philippines.
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Korea's Banpo Bridge is equal parts bridge, fountain and work of art. Crossing the Han River in Seoul, this 4,905-foot bridge is home to Moonlight Rainbow Fountain. Together they hold the Guinness World Record for the longest bridge fountain in the world. Day and night, the fountain puts on a water and light show that can be viewed from the bank of the river. For an even better look, opt to view it from the deck of the popular Han River Cruise--but prepare to get a little wet.
Photo by Gihoon Jung, CC BY-NC 2.0
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With only a passing glance, you might miss this living roots bridge in Meghalaya, India. These bridges can be found throughout the country and are made by bending and directing the roots of living trees, then waiting years until they're sturdy enough to serve their purpose.
Photo by Roman Korzh, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
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Visit U Bein Bridge just before sunset on a clear day and you're likely to find yourself in the company of monks, local families, elderly fishermen and fellow travelers. The nearly 4,000-foot pedestrian bridge crosses Myanmar's Taungthaman Lake in Amarapura. The bridge was originally built in the mid-1800s using reclaimed wood from a royal palace. It includes more than 1,000 pillars, making it the oldest and longest teak bridge in the world. Aim to visit mid-to-late summer after the rainy season has replenished the lake with higher water levels.
Photo by Dieter Timmerman, CC BY 2.0
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Dubbed "the road to nowhere," Norway's Storseisundet Bridge appears to disappear just above the horizon when viewed from the right perspective. At 850-feet-long, this cantilever bridge is the longest of eight along the country's Atlantic Ocean Road.
Photo by hl_1001, CC BY-NC 2.0
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Known as Moses Bridge because it parts the water it crosses, this submerged bridge leads to the 17-century Fort de Roovere near Halstreen, Netherlands. The bridge was designed to be nearly invisible, while still allowing visitors to cross the moat on their way to visit the fort.
Photo by Forgemind ArchiMedia, CC BY 2.0
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When conditions are right, this arched bridge forms a perfect circle with its reflection in the pond is crosses. It was built in 1860 in Kromlau, Germany's Kromlauer Park. While the optical illusion of this stone bridge is largely what makes it noteworthy, Rakotz Bridge's somewhat fairy tale-like appearance and setting add to its merits. Crossing it is prohibited, but you can still visit the park and view it today.
Photo by Viaggio Routard, CC BY 2.0
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Adrenalin junkies will 'jump' once learning about South Africa's Bloukrans Bridge. At nearly 900-feet high, it's home to the world's highest commercial bungee jumping. Brave souls have been leaping from the bridge since1997 thanks to Face Adrenalin's Bloukrans Bridge Bungy operation. Not a fan of heights? The bridge is worth a visit even if you're not jumping. Located near Nature's Valley in Western Cape, the nearly 1,500-foot-long arch bridge is a beauty.
Photo by Rene Leubert, CC BY-NC 2.0