Standing 2,054 feet above the Beipan River, China’s Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge is the world’s highest bridge. The 9,482-foot-long structure opened to traffic on 28 September 2025, following three years of construction, and reduced a two-hour canyon crossing to just two minutes. It surpassed the Beipanjiang Bridge, also called the Duge Bridge, which had held the height record since 2016. Chief engineer Yang Jian explained that a lower bridge would have required longer tunnels through the surrounding mountains, increasing costs and potentially contributing to driver fatigue.
Tourism was integrated into the project from the outset, with planners setting aside 50 square kilometres around the bridge for that purpose. A maintenance passage became a 2,611.55-foot sightseeing corridor, while the design also incorporated a glass observation hall, an aerial sports platform and a 1,411-metre elevated running track. Visitors can enter the structure by lift, take in canyon views, attempt bungee jumping or cross a narrow suspended plank walkway. After dark, light and water-screen shows illuminate the bridge. Concerts, racing activities and food events were also organised during China’s week-long National Day holiday.
The project has recorded approximately 3.3 million visits, while Huajiang Township and nearby areas have received more than 1.48 million visits. Alongside increased tourism, improved transport connections have benefited local businesses. Wu Fuying, manager of Xiyuan Hotel in Huajiang Township, said rooms were often fully booked at weekends and during public holidays, with visitors coming to the area and choosing to stay.
