Recently, the renovation of the Yangsigang Changjiang Bridge in Wuhan has sparked controversy as the public deems it a “disfigurement-style makeover”, with complaints that “the eyesore still remains!”
The Yangsigang Changjiang Bridge is a nearly 1700-meter-long bridge spanning the Yangtze River, built in 2009 and officially opened to traffic in 2019. It was the world’s largest double-deck highway cable-stayed bridge upon completion.
On May 20th this year, the “Jiangying Yangsigang Urban Light and Music Society” created by the Wuhan Urban Investment Group began trial operation, aggressively occupying the space under the Yangsigang Bridge, integrating dining, performances, neon light shows, and a cultural and creative market.
According to a report by China News Network, as citizens and tourists returned to this popular spot, they were shocked to find the space under the bridge fenced off, with pianos, bars, and light shows dominating the bridge piers.
The naturally formed “water curtain waterfall” during rainy days was transformed into a “Wuhan” photo spot, with colorful mood lighting and a minimum spending of 200 yuan, filling the space with overly saturated colored lights, becoming another typical example of “urban aesthetic disasters”.
Images from the scene show high-saturation pink and blue lights shining on the bridge structure, clashing with its original cold metallic appearance.
The renovation of the Yangsigang Changjiang Bridge was carried out by the Wuhan Urban Investment Group. According to Jiu Pai News, the company believes that “the bridge’s previous function was relatively single and lacked popularity, so after half a year of work, they added light shows, musical performances, and dining areas, combining the industrial aesthetics of the bridge with the natural landscapes of the river and riverbank to provide citizens with a better resting and recreational area.”
Netizens have criticized the project, saying, “The contrast between shocking and vulgar!” and “After the renovation, it looks like a pure KTV atmosphere.” and “Rural grand stage, dream big and come.”
The introduction of dining markets under the bridge has been criticized as “both ugly and tacky”. Many photography enthusiasts expressed that the coppery atmosphere ruined the bridge’s sense of solitude.
In addition, the fee structure has caused controversy. Some citizens complained that they had to pay a 100 yuan deposit to enter the core scenic area at night, questioning the operation’s “enclosure fee” practices.
“When did we have to pay to see the Yangtze River?” This question from netizens resonated widely. In response to the public backlash, the operating side stated that the fee was only a “flow control measure” and canceled the deposit system on May 26, subsequently removing the fences.
With the final fence dismantled, the Yangsigang Bridge has regained its physical sense of openness. However, according to group purchase software, the “Jiangying Yangsigang Urban Light and Music Society” is still in operation. While citizens can freely enter and exit, the lights under the bridge remain unchanged, the bars are still in place, and the “rural grand stage” persists.
Some lament that in recent years, there have been many such self-proclaimed elegant “overkill” incidents.
Countless examples of “disfigurement-style makeovers” can be found in China. Ancient town streets are adorned with densely packed industrial red lanterns, and on both sides of roads, there are the same type of trendy slogans such as “Check-in at the most beautiful season of XX” and “I miss you in XX”. Common features include uniform snack streets, wall paintings, and imitation ancient buildings.
Furthermore, in some scenic areas, in the name of “revenue generation”, high-priced dining options and low-end cultural and creative products are introduced, leading tourists to feel “no desire to visit a second time”.