The Helix Bridge: Architecture & History Guide | Singapore Purple Travel Guide
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Backpack and Snorkel Purple Travel GuideThe Helix Bridge is a striking pedestrian link that connects Marina Centre with Marina South. Its design is not merely functional; it serves as a sophisticated piece of public art and a triumph of modern engineering. It offers magnificent, unobstructed views of the city skyline as you stroll toward the ArtScience Museum and the Marina Bay Sands complex.
Here at Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides, we promote self-guided walking tours.
But we realize that not everybody likes to walk by themselves in a foreign city. So, just in case that you rather go with ab guide: NO PROBLEM! Please see the GuruWalk and Viator tours below.
free GuruWalk tours
paid Viator tours
Why You Should Visit
Walking across the Helix Bridge is the most scenic way to traverse the Marina Bay area on foot. It is an architectural marvel and a dream for photographers, especially after the sun sets. At night, the complex structure is illuminated by a series of integrated light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that highlight its unique shape. It provides a perfect vantage point to observe the city’s light shows without the heavy crowds of the main event plazas.
What is Special About It?
- The Double-Helix Design: This bridge is a world-first in architectural design. Its structure consists of two delicate-looking but incredibly strong spirals that interlock, symbolizing ‘life and continuity, renewal and growth’.
- The DNA Connection: The design intentionally mirrors the structure of human DNA. Along its 918-foot (280-meter) length, you will find four strategically placed viewing platforms that jut out over the water. These ‘pods’ are excellent locations for photography and provide a quiet space to observe the activity in the bay.
- Canopies for Comfort: The bridge features internal canopies made of fritted glass and perforated steel mesh. These provide shade from the tropical sun and shelter from sudden rain showers for pedestrians.
Architecture and Facts
- High-Tech Material: The bridge is constructed from a specialized duplex stainless steel. This material was chosen for its high structural strength and its ability to resist the salty, humid air of the Singapore coast. The bridge is incredibly robust and is capable of supporting up to 16,000 people at any single time.
- The Genetic Lighting Code: When the bridge lights up at night, look closely at the walkway. You will see pairs of luminous letters: c and g, as well as a and t. These represent Cytosine, Guanine, Adenine, and Thymine—the four bases of DNA. These are illuminated in red and green to further emphasize the genetic inspiration of the bridge.
- International Recognition: Shortly after its completion in 2010, the bridge won the ‘World's Best Transport Building’ award at the World Architecture Festival, cementing its status as a global design icon.
Self-Guided Information
Category |
Details |
|---|---|
Opening Hours |
The bridge is Always Open (24 hours a day). |
Admission Fee |
It is free to walk across and visit the viewing pods. |
Length |
The bridge spans approximately 918 feet (280 meters). |
Best Time to Visit |
Visit at dusk when the sun begins to set behind the skyscrapers of the Central Business District. This is when the bridge lights begin to glow, offering fantastic visual contrasts for your photographs. |
Getting There |
The bridge is located next to the ArtScience Museum and the Youth Olympic Park. It is a short walk from either the Promenade MRT station or the Bayfront MRT station. |
Traveler Tip
If you are a fan of sports or fireworks, the viewing pods on the Helix Bridge offer some of the best free views of the Marina Bay Floating Platform, which frequently hosts national celebrations and concerts. It is also an excellent spot to feel the breeze coming off the water during a humid Singapore evening.
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Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel
Bio: Owner of Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides. We create in-depth guides to help you plan unforgettable vacations around the world.
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