Illuminated Gwangan Bridge, Busan, South Korea

Illuminated Gwangan Bridge, Busan, South Korea

© Insung Jeon/Moment/Getty Images

Gwangan style

The Gwangan Bridge is one of the longest bridges in South Korea, outspanned only by the Incheon Bridge at the nation's opposite corner. A snaking shortcut past miles of dense Busan streets, the bridge skirts the edge of the city over Suyeong Bay, with about two and a half miles of its length passing over open water. This nighttime overview gives us a glance at the bridge's unique ornamentation: a system of more than 13,000 LED lights that change color seasonally and can be programmed to perform spectacular 'moving' light shows.

The multi-level roadway carries traffic across the main spans of the cable-stayed bridge. Officially known as Diamond Bridge, this structure employs an advanced cable-stayed design, featuring deep trusses for rigidity and stability. This vital link facilitates travel between Haeundae-gu and Suyeong-gu districts, easing congestion on urban roads. Its distinctive profile and illuminated displays have established it as a major landmark, contributing to Busan's modern identity.

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