Page 102 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sydney

100  SY DNEY AREA B Y AREA

4 Pyrmont Bridge
Darling Harbour. Map 1 A5.  Town
Hall. v Paddy’s Markets, Pyrmont Bay.
7 8
Pyrmont Bridge opened in 1902.
The world’s oldest electrically
operated swingspan bridge,
it was fully functional before
Sydney’s streets were lit by
electricity. It provided access
to what, at the time, was a busy
interna tional shipping terminal
with warehouses and wool
stores. Electricity for the new
bridge came from the Ultimo
power station, the building that
now houses the Powerhouse Pavillions in the peaceful Chinese Garden of Friendship, a traditional Chinese garden
Museum (see pp102–3).
Percy Allan, the bridge’s 5 ICC Sydney other the state of New South
designer, went on to design Darling Harbour. Map 4 D3. v Paddy’s Wales. In the centre of the wall,
583 more bridges. J J Bradfield, Markets, Convention, Exhibition Centre, a carved pearl, symbolizing
the designer of the Sydney Pyrmont Bay. Tel 9215 7100. Open prosperity, is lifted by the waves.
Harbour Bridge (see pp72–3), daily. - 7 ∑ iccsydney.com.au The lake is covered with lotus
was also involved in construc- and water lilies for much of the
tion of this bridge. A sprawling modern complex year and a rock monster guards
The 369-m- (1,200-ft-) long with a crystalline glass façade, against evil. On the other side
Pyrmont Bridge has 14 spans, ICC Sydney comprises a of the lake is the Twin Pavilion.
with only the two central swing- convention centre, the largest Waratahs (New South Wales’s
spans being made of steel. The exhibition space in Australia and floral sym bol) and flowering
remaining spans are made of the 8,000-seat ICC theatre, all apricots are carved into its wood-
ironbark, an Australian hardwood connected by internal walkways. work, and also grow at its base.
timber. The bridge was perma- It also boasts a huge ballroom A tea house, found at the top
nently closed to road traffic in and the biggest kitchen in the of the stairs in the Tea House
1981, but reopened to pedes- southern hemisphere. The Courtyard, serves traditional
trians when the Darling Harbour multi-purpose venue hosts a Chinese tea and cakes.
complex opened in 1988. It is variety of events, including
also popular with cyclists riding international concerts, festivals,
to work. The central steel swing- conventions and sporting 7 Chinatown
spans are still driven by their fixtures. Adjacent to the mega- Dixon St Plaza, Sydney. Map 4 E–D4.
original motor. The bridge is complex, one of Sydney’s largest  Central. v Paddy’s Markets.
opened regularly to allow boats hotels, the luxury Sofitel, is due
access to and from Cockle Bay. to open at the end of 2017. Originally concentrated
around Dixon and Hay Streets,
Chinatown is expanding to
6 Chinese Garden fill Sydney’s Haymarket area,
of Friendship stretching west to Harris Street,
south to Broadway and east to
Darling Harbour. Map 4 D3. Tel 9240 Castlereagh Street. Visitors will
8788.  Town Hall. v Paddy’s notice Chinese eateries, shops
Markets. Open 9:30am–5pm daily. and signage in nearby areas,
Closed Good Fri, 25 Dec. & - 7 as Chinese businesses grow
limited. ∑ darlingharbour.com
and multiply in line with
Chinatown’s local population.
The Chinese Garden of Friendship While it today rubs shoulders
was built in 1988. It is a tranquil with the eastern and western
refuge from the city streets. The edges of the increasingly slick
garden’s design was a gift to Darling Harbour, for years,
Sydney from its Chinese sister Chinatown was a run-down
city of Guang dong. The Dragon district at the edge of the city’s
Wall is in the lower section beside produce markets. Today Dixon
the lake. It has glazed carvings of Street, its main thoroughfare, has
The view from Pyrmont Bridge looking up two dragons, one representing been spruced up, with street
towards the city centre Guangdong province and the lanterns, archways and public

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