Executive Summary
The Story So Far
Why This Matters
Who Thinks What?
China officially opened the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge on Sunday in its southern Guizhou province, establishing it as the world’s highest bridge and breaking the country’s own previous record. Soaring approximately 2,050 feet above a river and gorge, the mega-project is designed to dramatically reduce travel times and stimulate economic growth in one of China’s least developed regions.
A New Engineering Feat
The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge not only holds the record for height but is also recognized as the world’s longest bridge in a mountainous region, spanning 4,600 feet across. Its height is more than double that of the Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado, which stands as the highest in the United States at 956 feet.
Constructed over three years and eight months, the bridge will slash travel time between the two sides of the canyon from two hours to just two minutes. Officials have highlighted its role in connecting major tourist spots and serving as a catalyst for local development.
The bridge is equipped with tourist attractions, including a high-speed glass elevator that transports visitors to a coffee spot 2,600 feet above the river. Guests can also experience bungee jumping or walk on a 1,900-foot-high glass walkway, offering panoramic views of the canyon.
Guizhou’s Infrastructure Drive
Hailed by Chinese state media as the country’s latest “infrastructure miracle,” the bridge is a significant component of the government’s broader “war on poverty” campaign in Guizhou. This province, home to around 40 million people, has seen a dramatic expansion of its infrastructure in recent decades.
Guizhou now boasts more than 32,000 bridges, either completed or under construction, a substantial increase from about 2,900 in the 1980s. The province is also home to what is now the world’s second-highest bridge, the Duge Bridge, which opened in 2016.
Tian Hongrui, a technician involved in the project, expressed his pride to state-run broadcaster CCTV News, stating, “Leaving now is bittersweet, but this isn’t the end. It’s the start of a new chapter.”
Outlook on Regional Development
The opening of the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge underscores China’s ongoing commitment to large-scale infrastructure projects aimed at regional development and poverty alleviation. It represents another milestone in the nation’s engineering prowess and its strategy to integrate remote areas into the national economy through improved connectivity and tourism.
