{{Short description|Bridge in Seoul, South Korea}} {{Infobox bridge | bridge_name = Banpo Bridge | native_name = 반포대교 | native_name_lang = Korean | image = 2011년 11월 대한민국 서울특별시 명소 (Seoul best attractions) 달빛무지개분수1.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = A Moonlight Rainbow Fountain light show at the bridge (2008) | official_name = | other_name = | carries = | crosses = [[Han River (Korea)|Han River]] | locale = [[Seoul]], South Korea | owner = | maint = Seoul Metropolitan Hangang Project Headquarters | architect = | designer = | engineering = Dae Han Consultants Company, Ltd. | design = | material = | length = {{convert|1495|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name="Doopedia">{{cite web|url=http://www.doopedia.co.kr/doopedia/master/master.do?_method=view&MAS_IDX=101013000843201|script-title=ko:반포대교[盤浦大橋]|work=[[Doopedia]]|publisher=[[Doopedia]]|language=Korean|accessdate=1 January 2014}}</ref> | width = {{convert|25|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name="Doopedia" /> | height = | mainspan = | spans = | pierswater = | load = | clearance = | below = | life = | builder = Byucksan Engineering & Construction Company, Ltd.<ref name="byucksan">{{cite web|url=http://www.becco.co.kr/Business/businesslist.asp?BusId=29&page=2&item=020104 |script-title=ko:토목사업 주요실적 |work=Byucksan Engineering & Construction |year=2005 |language=Korean |accessdate=1 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102192819/http://www.becco.co.kr/Business/businesslist.asp?BusId=29&page=2&item=020104 |archivedate=2 January 2014 }}</ref> | fabricator = | begin = January 11, 1980<ref name="byucksan" /> | complete = June 25, 1982<ref name="byucksan" /> | cost = {{Currency|21.5 billion|KRW}}<ref name="byucksan" /> | open = | inaugurated = | toll = | traffic = 103,925 (2009)<ref name="naver">{{cite web|url=http://terms.naver.com/entry.nhn?docId=556532&cid=1602&categoryId=1602|script-title=ko:반포대교|work=[[Naver]] / [[Encyclopedia of Korean Culture]]|publisher=[[Naver]]|language=Korean|accessdate=2 January 2014}}</ref> | preceded = [[Hannam Bridge]] | followed = [[Dongjak Bridge]] | closed = | replaces = | map_cue = | map_image = | map_alt = | map_text = | map_width = | coordinates = {{Coord|37.5155|N|126.9960|E|type:landmark_region:KR|display=inline,title}} | references = <ref>{{Cite web|title=반포대교|website=[[Seoul Future Heritage]]|access-date=2025-03-30|language=ko|publisher=[[Seoul Metropolitan Government]]|url=https://futureheritage.seoul.go.kr/futureHeritageMeet/futureHeritage/view.do?order=&htNo=308&htCateValue=&htSelectGuValue=&htConditionValue=&selectYearValue=&buildYearValue=&fetchStart=1&srchType=title&searchTitle=%EB%B0%98%ED%8F%AC}}</ref> | embedded = {{Designation list |embed=yes |designation1=Seoul Future Heritage |designation1_number=2013-106 }}{{Infobox Korean name/auto | hangul = ^반포_대교 | hanja = 盤浦大橋 | child = yes }} }}
The '''Banpo Bridge''' ({{Korean|hangul=반포대교}}) is a major [[bridge]] for vehicular traffic over the [[Han River (Korea)|Han River]] in central [[downtown Seoul|Seoul]], South Korea. It is a [[double-decked bridge]], and is above the pedestrian '''Jamsu Bridge'''.<ref name="seoulmetro">{{cite web |year=2000 |script-title=ko:반포대교 (盤浦大橋) |url=http://www.metro.seoul.kr/kor2000/hanriver/bridge/bdg10.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040618134340/http://www.metro.seoul.kr/kor2000/hanriver/bridge/bdg10.html |archive-date=18 June 2004 |accessdate=2 January 2014 |work=Seoul Metro |publisher=[[Seoul Metropolitan Government]] |language=Korean}}</ref>
The bridge is a popular tourist attraction, and is known for its daily Moonlight Rainbow Fountain and light shows between April and October. {{As of|2024}}, the bridge holds the [[Guinness World Records|Guinness World Record]] for longest fountain bridge in the world.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Longest bridge fountain |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/longest-bridge-fountain |access-date=June 18, 2024 |website=[[Guinness World Records]]}}</ref> It is centrally located in Seoul, and accessible via public transportation.
== Description == The bridge is situated over the [[Han River (Korea)|Han River]], and connects [[Seobinggo-dong]] in [[Yongsan District]] with [[Banpo-dong]] in [[Seocho District]].<ref name=":2" /> It is {{Convert|25|m|ft|abbr=on}} wide and {{convert|1495|m|ft|abbr=on}} long.<ref name="Doopedia" /><ref name=":2" />
The bridge is intended for vehicular traffic. It is the first double deck bridge built in South Korea.<ref name="seoulmetro" /> It is also a major landmark of the city and attracts both locals and tourists.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2024-01-19 |title=Cultural Exploration around Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain, Seoul – Korea Trip Guide |url=https://www.koreatripguide.com/culture/cultural-exploration-around-banpo-bridge-rainbow-fountain-seoul |access-date=2024-05-01 |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Moonlight Rainbow Fountain === Since April 2009, the bridge has had a fountain off its west side called Moonlight Rainbow Fountain ({{Korean|hangul=달빛무지개분수|labels=no}}).<ref name=":3" /> On November 7, 2008, the bridge was awarded the Guinness World Record for longest fountain bridge in the world.<ref name=":1" /> The bridge has 38 water pumps and 380 nozzles installed. It also has speakers, lights, and projectors.<ref name=":3" />
Five to six times per day from April to October, the fountain has a 20-minute water and light show. This occurs only if there is good weather. It has projectors that can display images on the water.<ref name=":3">{{cite web |script-title=ko:달빛무지개분수(반포) |url=https://hangang.seoul.go.kr/www/contents/856.do?mid=849 |accessdate=June 18, 2024 |publisher=[[Seoul Metropolitan Government]] |language=Korean}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 31, 2022 |title=Banpodaegyo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain |url=https://english.visitseoul.net/attractions/Banpodaegyo-Bridge-Moonlight-Rainbow-Fountain_/2222 |access-date=June 18, 2024 |website=visitseoul.net}}</ref> The show is set to music that includes various popular South Korean and international songs. The set list is available online.<ref name=":3" /> Additionally, Banpo Hangang Park organizes the "Moonlight Square Cultural Weekend" every Saturday from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. between May and October. This event showcases a range of musical genres, including classical music with commentary, [[a cappella]], [[Operatic pop|popera]], [[jazz]], [[brass band]]s, and [[orchestra]]s.{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}
=== Jamsu Bridge === Beneath Banpo Bridge is the pedestrian Jamsu Bridge. It is {{Convert|18|m|ft|abbr=on}} wide and {{Convert|795|m|ft|abbr=on}} long. During periods of high rainfall, the Jamsu Bridge is designed to submerge as the water level of the river rises, as the lower deck lies close to the waterline.<ref>{{Citation |last=변 |first=근주 |script-title=ko:잠수교 (潛水橋) |work=[[Encyclopedia of Korean Culture]] |url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0048181 |access-date=2024-06-19 |publisher=[[Academy of Korean Studies]] |language=ko}}</ref>
It often hosts cultural events such as a yearly fall market with live music and food trucks.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
== History == The lower Jamsu Bridge was completed in 1979, before Banpo Bridge.<ref name=":2">{{Citation |last=변 |first=근주 |script-title=ko:반포대교 (盤浦大橋) |work=[[Encyclopedia of Korean Culture]] |url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0021568 |access-date=2024-06-19 |publisher=[[Academy of Korean Studies]] |language=ko}}</ref> Banpo Bridge began construction on August 11, 1980, and was completed in November 1982.<ref>{{cite web |date=10 July 2013 |title=Banpo Grand Bridge |url=http://structurae.net/structures/data/index.cfm?ID=s0006573 |accessdate=22 April 2009 |work=[[Structurae]] |publisher=Wilhelm Ernst & Sohn Verlag.}}</ref> It cost <s>[[South Korean won|W]]</s>22 billion to build (US$20 million).{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} Its construction was intended to reduce traffic load on the [[Hangang Bridge]].<ref name=":2" />
Jamsu Bridge was made into an elevated arch shape in 1986, in order to accommodate tourist cruise ships passing underneath it.<ref name=":2" />
The bridge went under repairs from December 30, 1994, to June 30, 1996.<ref name="seoulmetro" /> It underwent more repairs from December 1998 to 2002. From October 2003 and 2005, it was repaved.<ref name=":2" />
== Gallery == <gallery mode=packed heights="150px" style="text-align:left"> Korea Seoul after April Showers 02 (14072732474).jpg|View from the side of the bridge (2014) Jamsu Bridge at Night.jpg|View of the bridge from the water at night (2009) </gallery>
==References== {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category-inline|Banpo Bridge}}{{Han River bridges}}
{{Bridges in Asia|South Korea}}
[[Category:Bridges in Seoul]] [[Category:Bridges completed in 1982]] [[Category:Bridges over the Han River (Korea)]] [[Category:1982 establishments in South Korea]] [[Category:20th-century architecture in South Korea]] [[Category:Seoul Future Heritages]]