Photo: UNStudio
Cable transport has been around for millennia, as the first documented use of such a system dates back as far as 250 BC. Evidence is that people in Souther China used some sort of ropeway to go about their business. And now China, together with neighboring Russia, is about to reach another milestone.
Early work has begun on a project for a cable car system that will link the Chinese city of Heihe with the Russian settlement of Blagoveshchensk, over the river Amur (also known as Heilong Jiang). The two cities are completely separated by water, and this would be the first direct link between them during summer.
Usually, transport over the river takes place during the winter, when the river is frozen solid.
The cable car is dubbed by its designers the first one in the world to link two countries. Plans are to have a car leave each city every 15 minutes. Each cars will be capable of carrying 60 passengers and their luggage.
"As it crosses the natural border of the Amur River, the Blagoveshchensk - Heihe cable car will be the first-ever cable car system to join two countries and cultures," said according to Euronews Ben van Berkel, UNStudio's head architect.
"The Blagoveshchensk terminal station not only responds to its immediate urban location but also becomes an expression of cultural identity and a podium for the intermingling of cultures."
Terminals of the cable car are to be built on both sides of the river. On the Russian end, the build is a project of Dutch-based architecture firm UNStudio. The Chinese are yet to select their builder.
It's not yet known how long the cable car system will be. Presently, the longest such ride is called Na Hills cable car, it is located in Vietnam and measures a total 5 km (3 miles) in length.
Usually, transport over the river takes place during the winter, when the river is frozen solid.
The cable car is dubbed by its designers the first one in the world to link two countries. Plans are to have a car leave each city every 15 minutes. Each cars will be capable of carrying 60 passengers and their luggage.
"As it crosses the natural border of the Amur River, the Blagoveshchensk - Heihe cable car will be the first-ever cable car system to join two countries and cultures," said according to Euronews Ben van Berkel, UNStudio's head architect.
"The Blagoveshchensk terminal station not only responds to its immediate urban location but also becomes an expression of cultural identity and a podium for the intermingling of cultures."
Terminals of the cable car are to be built on both sides of the river. On the Russian end, the build is a project of Dutch-based architecture firm UNStudio. The Chinese are yet to select their builder.
It's not yet known how long the cable car system will be. Presently, the longest such ride is called Na Hills cable car, it is located in Vietnam and measures a total 5 km (3 miles) in length.
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