Construction of a bridge 625 meters high over the river: Huajiang Grand Canyon Suspension Bridge
The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, standing at an impressive 625 meters (2,051 feet) above the Beipan River, is set to become the world's highest bridge. Located in Guizhou province, China, this monumental steel truss suspension bridge is a testament to ambitious engineering and a response to formidable natural geography.
Construction began in the early 2020s and was completed over three years at a cost of approximately $283 million. This bridge, with a main span of 1,420 meters, surpasses the length of the UK’s Humber Bridge by 10 meters, and a total length of 2,890 meters including over two dozen approach spans.
The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge was designed as a stiffened steel truss suspension bridge to span the vast 625-meter-deep canyon. Its north tower reaches 262 meters tall, built on a steep slope, while the south tower is 205 meters high. The design incorporates Art Deco-inspired tower connections with layered setbacks reminiscent of the Golden Gate Bridge, blending functionality with timeless aesthetics.
Constructing the bridge involved moving and installing enormous steel trusses weighing about 22,000 metric tons—roughly the weight of three Eiffel Towers. This scale of construction demanded advanced engineering techniques and meticulous planning to overcome the difficult terrain and natural conditions. The stiffened truss depth was increased from the originally planned 7.5 meters to 8 meters to accommodate the weight and wind resistance from planned tourist attractions on the bridge designed by local officials to enhance its appeal.
The bridge dramatically reduces the canyon crossing time from an hour-long drive to just minutes, significantly improving connectivity between Liuzhi and Anlong Special Districts. It exemplifies China’s leadership in high and complex bridge engineering, following Guizhou's history of record-holding bridges since 2001.
In addition to its functional role, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge is being transformed into a tourist attraction. Glass platforms, elevators, and even a bungee jumping facility are being created, making it an exciting destination for visitors. An 800-meter-long circular walkway has been integrated directly below the roadway, passing through the truss and connecting several experience spaces at varying heights above the ground. Visitors can walk on glass floors, look through viewing openings into the depths, and experience the construction from the perspective of a construction worker on the circular walkway.
A 207-meter-high glass elevator ascends along the south pylon, offering an almost unobstructed view into the depths. At a platform that is 616 meters above the Beipanjiang, the lowest point of the chasm beneath the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, a bungee jumping facility is being created.
Modern technologies such as an intelligent crane system based on the Chinese Beidou navigation satellite system were used to ensure precise positioning of heavy bridge components. The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge is a key project for the Ministry of Transport of Guizhou, as it not only shortens routes but also connects economic and tourist interests.
By 2030, there are expected to be over 1,000 bridges with heights of more than 100 meters in Guizhou, making it a global hub of bridge construction for two decades. The Beipanjiang River, a tributary of the Pearl River, has been the location of the world's highest bridge multiple times, with the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge now setting a third world record.
In summary, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge's history is one of ambitious engineering responding to formidable natural geography, blending modern structural technology with cultural design elements to create a new world record and a tourist landmark in a remote and stunning natural environment.
[1] The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge: Setting a New World Record [3] The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge: A Timeless Masterpiece [5] The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge: A New Era in Bridge Engineering
- The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, a timeless masterpiece, unites economic and social policy with cutting-edge technology, forging a connection between Liuzhi and Anlong Special Districts while creating a tourist attraction in Guizhou province.
- As Guizhou's global hub of bridge construction evolves, with over 1,000 bridges surpassing 100 meters in height by 2030, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge—an embodiment of modern technology—stands as a symbol of China's strategic economic planning and ambition.
