Lucky Knot Bridge, Steel pedestrian bridge in Meixi Lake District, Changsha, China

The pedestrian structure spans 185 meters across the Dragon King Harbor River with a construction of three interwoven pathways in bright red steel. The winding form creates multiple levels that offer pedestrians different perspectives of the surrounding cityscape and water surface while serving as functional connections between riverbank areas.

The bridge originated as NEXT Architects' entry for an international competition held in 2013; the Amsterdam- and Beijing-based firm was invited on the strength of its Melkwegbrug in Purmerend. It was completed and opened in October 2016, spanning the Dragon King Harbor River in Changsha's Meixi Lake District.

The bridge's shape draws on Chinese knotting, the decorative cord knots tied for luck and celebration, combined with the looping form of a Möbius strip. Its bright red steel matches the colour associated with good fortune in China. The crossing was conceived with tourism in mind, so the walkways double as viewpoints over the Dragon King Harbor River.

The pedestrian crossing is freely accessible around the clock, with evening lighting that highlights the red steel construction. Visitors reach the site via Metro Line 2 to Meixi Lake station, followed by a 15-minute walk. Several entrances at different heights allow access from park paths, streets and both riverbanks, making it suitable for varied mobility levels.

The construction consists of three parabolic arches and five flat parabolic sections that form continuous pathways, allowing visitors to switch between different levels without leaving the structure. The mathematical precision of the geometry required custom steel components, each individually fabricated to ensure the continuous curves without structural interruptions.