Last Updated: December 16, 2021
A recently published article introduced the world’s 25 most impressive Megaprojects and guess what: 7 out of 25 are Megaprojects in China.
With C2W’s experience in China, we want to introduce you to our list of 5 spectacular projects that give an insight in China’s construction capabilities and that show once more that China has its reputation as country of innovation and infrastructure for a good reason.
Beijing Daxing International Airport(PKX)
source: (https://www.architecturaldigest.com/)
Where? Beijing Daxing
Time to build: 11 yrs
Cost to build: 11.4 billion
Status: Opened in 2019
This is the world’s largest airport terminal, the gleaming Terminal 1, designed by Zaha Hadid. Just this past year, PKX accommodated over 16 million passengers still despite COVID disrupting international travel throughout the whole year. The airport won the award of best airport by hygiene measures in Asia-Pacific in 2020 by Airports Council International.
Todtown
source: (https://www.lead-8.com/)
Where? Shanghai
Time to build: 10 yrs
Cost to build: $1.5 billion
Status: In progress, expected opening in 2024
This is the first ever development built right on a subway transit hub still in use. Located in Minghang District of Shanghai, the 740,000 mini-city is set for a hotel, offices, and residences as well as a retail mall anchoring the entire project. Its complexity had held up the launch of construction until 2014 when it was finally approved and kicked off. It is anticipated to be another landmark of Shanghai.
South-North Water Transfer Project
source: (https://www.civilengineering.org/)
Where? Grand Canal, Yangtsz River and Han River
Time to build: 10 yrs and Counting
Cost to build: $40 billion and Counting
Status: In progress
This is the one of the hugest infrastructure projects in human history. The idea has spanned over decades since the 1950s, aiming to solve the centuries-old problem of uneven water distribution by transferring over 40 billion cubic meters of fresh water every year from the south with rich water resources to the arid north hosting 50% of the population but only 20% of water resources. The project has been financed for over $78 billion already and it is still counting as the planning for the west route is still underway for being too difficult and immense.
Happiness Forest Belt
source: Wechat Public Account, Landscape Album
Where? Xi’an, Shaanxi
Time to build: 10 yrs and Counting
Cost to build: $24 billion
Status: Opened in July, 2021
Called “An Urban Oasis of the Silk Road”, The Happiness Forest Belt Project is a vital part of the city’s urban renewal plan. More than 40,000 trees are planted in the area with an occupancy rate of 85%, serving as an eco-barrier to improve the air quality for local residents. In addition to ecological urbanization, this is also a multi-functional development for business and residence.
Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge
source: (http://www.nytimes.com)
Where? Greater Bay Area
Time to build: 7 years
Costs to build: 10,6 billion
Status: Opened in 2017
The concept of the bridge was actually first proposed back in the early 80s. The 34-mile bridge is known as the longest sea-crossing bridge so far in the whole world. The two artificial islands for the tunnel landings have been created for the tunnel section as well as anchor the bridge portions, which connects Hong Kong and the mainland via a mega-crossing.
As our China 2 West headquarter is located in Zhuhai, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge is right next door. For more details about this stunning project read more in our Blog about the Hong Kong- Zhuhai- Macao Bridge and an evaluation of the project.
We hope you are fascinated by these Megaprojects just as much as we are and China 2 West gave you a small foretaste of the amazing world of China.