The Huajiang Canyon Bridge, now the world’s highest bridge, has officially opened to traffic in southwest China just days before the Chinese New Year holiday. Rising about 625 meters above the Beipan River in Guizhou province. The bridge was completed after more than three years of construction and opened on 28 September 2025.
The bridge carries the Liuzhi-Anlong Expressway across the deep Huajiang Canyon. At 2,890 meters long with a main span of 1,420 meters, it is one of the longest and highest suspension bridges in the world. The deck stands about as tall above the river as the Shanghai Tower is high above the ground, and it now surpasses the nearby Duge Bridge, which was the previous world’s highest.
The new bridge connects areas that were once difficult to reach, cutting travel time across the canyon from about an hour to just a few minutes. Built in one of China’s most rugged landscapes, the project is part of wider efforts to improve transport links in the country’s mountainous southwest.
One of the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge’s striking features is the view below. From the deck, drivers and visitors can see a natural waterfall flowing down the canyon wall, adding to the already breathtaking scenery.
The structure includes several features designed to attract visitors and carry vehicles. There is a glass-walkway viewing platform under the bridge deck and a glass elevator rising partway up one of the towers. At the top, a café offers wide views over the canyon below. Adventure tourism facilities, like bungee jumping and paragliding platforms, are planned around the site.
According to Chinese state media and project engineers, the bridge stands higher than any other in the world, surpassing previous records set by other high-altitude crossings in China. Its steel truss structure spans a deep gorge carved by the Beipan River, an area known for strong winds and challenging construction conditions.
Engineers faced complex terrain, unpredictable weather, and the difficulty of transporting materials into the remote canyon. Advanced construction methods were used to secure the main span across the vast drop. Safety systems were also strengthened to handle the high winds common in the area.
The opening was timed ahead of the busy Lunar New Year travel season, when millions of people journey across the country to reunite with family. Local officials say the bridge will boost tourism and economic development by improving access to scenic spots and nearby towns.
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