By Jay Hilotin Visuals By Vijith Pulikkal, Assistant Product Manager
China is set to officially open the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge 鈥渟oon鈥, marking a new pinnacle in global engineering 鈥 as the world鈥檚 tallest bridge. The newly-completed Huajiang Canyon Bridge isn鈥檛 just high 鈥 it鈥檚 sky high, and Popular Science calls it 鈥渁n undeniable feat of engineering.鈥.US urges China to keep Iran from shutting Strait of Hormuz.China and Arab states draw up a blueprint for cooperation in the new era.Xiaomi YU7 Electric SUV: A game-changer in China鈥檚 EV market and beyond.UAE-China friendship set to move towards new horizons.Towering at an astonishing height of 625 metres above the Beipan River, it surpasses France鈥檚 Millau Viaduct by 947 feet, setting a new world record for bridge height.Opening ‘soon’While still not open to the public, construction workers and heavy equipment are seen already moving on the bridge鈥檚 main span itself 鈥 but the public can’t drive across it just yet.Built in just three years for $283 million, this gravity-defying mega-bridge stretches across the Beipan River in the rugged mountains of Guizhou province. . The result? An engineering marvel that slices a once hour-long canyon drive down to just a few breathtaking minutes 鈥 as long as your nerves can handle cruising 2,051 feet (625 metres) above the gorge floor.To put that in perspective: that鈥檚 275 feet taller than One World Trade Center in NYC. Yes, taller than America’s tallest skyscraper.. And China? Well, they鈥檙e practically the Beyonc茅 of high bridges. Even before the Huajiang wonder arrived, the country already claimed eight of the world鈥檚 top 10 tallest bridges, and a jaw-dropping 43 out of the top 50. The reigning champ before this: The Duge Bridge, also in China (Guizhou) standing proud at 1,854 feet..LocationLocated in the rugged mountainous terrain of Guizhou province in southwestern China, the bridge spans the dramatic Huajiang Grand Canyon, also known locally as the 鈥渆arth crack.鈥 This region, long isolated by difficult topography, will now experience transformative connectivity thanks to the bridge鈥檚 strategic placement between the Liuzhi and Anlong Special Districts. . BuilderThe Guizhou Bridge Construction Group is a key player in its design and construction. The bridge is a mega project and is part of the Liuzhi-Anlong Expressway in Guizhou province. Final assemblyIts construction began on January 18, 2022. The last main steel truss segment (weighing 215 tonnes) was put into place in mid鈥慗anuary 2025, marking the final step of the main structure before opening later this year, as per China Daily.Here鈥檚 a quick summary:Construction timeline: Began in January 2022, with tower and cable milestones achieved by late 2023 and early 2024 .Expected opening: The bridge was planned to open “soon”. .The bridge鈥檚 steel trusses weigh around 22,000 metric tons 鈥 equivalent to three Eiffel Towers 鈥 underscoring the massive scale and engineering complexity of the project.The project reflects China鈥檚 commitment to upgrading infrastructure in less developed, mountainous regions. Guizhou province already hosts nearly half of the world鈥檚 tallest 100 bridges, and this latest addition further cements its status as a hub of advanced bridge engineering.FacilitiesIn addition to its transportation role, the mega-bridge is designed as a major tourist attraction.Facilities include:.A glass elevator rising to the top of one of the massive concrete towers, offering panoramic viewsStargazing Bar and Caf茅 more than 600 feet above the road deck Glass walkway suspended hundreds of metres above the canyon floorThe world鈥檚 highest bungee jump, located at about 2,020 feet above the river..Moreover, an advanced sensor technology integrated throughout the bridge to monitor structural health in real-time, tracking vibration, temperature, and wind pressure to ensure safety and durability over the long term..ModernisationThe bridge stands as a symbol of China鈥檚 rapid modernisation and engineering prowess, demonstrating the country鈥檚 ability to overcome geographic challenges while boosting local economies. The bridge opens up access to remote villages, facilitating better access to education, healthcare, and business opportunities, and is expected to accelerate tourism development in Guizhou.The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge is poised to become both a vital transportation artery and a world-renowned landmark drawing visitors from across China and beyond..And clearly, when it comes to building bridges that flirt with the stratosphere, China has no fear of heights.