Hiya,
Thought I would put this up since I saw it in my MSN homepage and most of the Chinese chaps are quite keen on engineering. Mods please move if you deem in in the wrong area. Focusing on the China and Pakistan developments are.
1. The Karakoram Highway
Where: Pakistan and China
Vital stats: 808 miles long, elevation of 4,963 metres at the highest point
The Karakoram Highway is the highest paved road in the world. It connects China and Pakistan via the border at the Khunjerab Pass - also the highest point on the road. On the way, the highway passes some of the world's highest mountains - five of them over 8,000 metres tall - and some enormous glaciers. The road is thrilling to drive, but the construction was less fun. It took 20 years to build, in treacherous conditions, and more than 800 people lost their lives in the process.
(Love to drive thru this road on with a Subaru WRX)
2. The Great Wall of China
Where: from Shanhaiguan to Lop Nur, China
Vital stats: approximately 5,500 miles of fortifications (all branches)
The Great Wall isn't actually a single, continuous wall - it's a series of separate fortifications linked by hill defences, rivers and trenches. Construction has taken place under various rulers, for various reasons and using various materials since the fifth century BC. The wall is a bit of an architectural mish-mash - which can be disappointing to people who dream of travelling smoothly along its entire length - but the world's longest defensive barrier is still hugely impressive in engineering terms.
(truly breathtaking when you're standing on the wall)
3. The Shanghai Maglev
Where: Shanghai, China
Vital stats: 19 miles at a top speed of 268 miles an hour, US$1.3 billion (£800m) cost
The Shanghai Maglev is the world's fastest train in commercial operation - covering the 19 miles from the Pudong international airport to Shanghai's metro network in just seven minutes and 20 seconds. It operates on a monorail track for much of the distance and is the first regular passenger service to use magnetic levitation technology. Plans are afoot to extend the line to Hangzhou airport, with the train covering the 34 mile distance in just 15 minutes.
(So smooth you wouldn't even think that you moved at all)
Surprised the 3 gorges dam did not make the list, thought it was one hell of an engineering feat as well
http://travel.uk.msn.com/inspiration/adventure-activities/photos.aspx?cp-documentid=154321734&page=1
Thought I would put this up since I saw it in my MSN homepage and most of the Chinese chaps are quite keen on engineering. Mods please move if you deem in in the wrong area. Focusing on the China and Pakistan developments are.
1. The Karakoram Highway
Where: Pakistan and China
Vital stats: 808 miles long, elevation of 4,963 metres at the highest point
The Karakoram Highway is the highest paved road in the world. It connects China and Pakistan via the border at the Khunjerab Pass - also the highest point on the road. On the way, the highway passes some of the world's highest mountains - five of them over 8,000 metres tall - and some enormous glaciers. The road is thrilling to drive, but the construction was less fun. It took 20 years to build, in treacherous conditions, and more than 800 people lost their lives in the process.
(Love to drive thru this road on with a Subaru WRX)
2. The Great Wall of China
Where: from Shanhaiguan to Lop Nur, China
Vital stats: approximately 5,500 miles of fortifications (all branches)
The Great Wall isn't actually a single, continuous wall - it's a series of separate fortifications linked by hill defences, rivers and trenches. Construction has taken place under various rulers, for various reasons and using various materials since the fifth century BC. The wall is a bit of an architectural mish-mash - which can be disappointing to people who dream of travelling smoothly along its entire length - but the world's longest defensive barrier is still hugely impressive in engineering terms.
(truly breathtaking when you're standing on the wall)
3. The Shanghai Maglev
Where: Shanghai, China
Vital stats: 19 miles at a top speed of 268 miles an hour, US$1.3 billion (£800m) cost
The Shanghai Maglev is the world's fastest train in commercial operation - covering the 19 miles from the Pudong international airport to Shanghai's metro network in just seven minutes and 20 seconds. It operates on a monorail track for much of the distance and is the first regular passenger service to use magnetic levitation technology. Plans are afoot to extend the line to Hangzhou airport, with the train covering the 34 mile distance in just 15 minutes.
(So smooth you wouldn't even think that you moved at all)
Surprised the 3 gorges dam did not make the list, thought it was one hell of an engineering feat as well
http://travel.uk.msn.com/inspiration/adventure-activities/photos.aspx?cp-documentid=154321734&page=1
