World’s tallest bridge opens in China
The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in Guizhou Province, southwest China, has officially opened to traffic, setting new world records for height and span while also showcasing engineering innovation and concrete technology.
The suspension bridge stretches 2,890 metres across the Beipan River, with a main span of 1,420 metres – the largest of any bridge built in mountainous terrain. From the deck to the canyon floor, the vertical clearance is 625 metres, making it the highest bridge in the world.
The £235 million (¥2.1 billion RMB) project began on 18 January 2022 and was completed in just under four years, opening on 28 September 2025. It was co-constructed by China Railway Hi-Tech Industry under CREC (China Railway Group Limited), a state-owned enterprise.
The structure carries the Guizhou S57 Liuzhi–Anlong Expressway, cutting travel time across the canyon from around 70 minutes to just over one minute. Beyond transport benefits, the bridge has been developed as China’s first bridge-tourism complex, featuring a 1,000 m² glass observation hall, bungee jumping, low-altitude skydiving, and a sky café perched 800 metres above the river.
Construction involved precision techniques including satellite-assisted positioning and drone-guided operations, delivering millimetre-level accuracy 600 metres above ground. Engineers also pioneered forged and welded saddle supports, reducing individual saddle weights to 41.3 tonnes while improving compressive strength by 44%.
Concrete innovation played a role in cost and resource efficiency. Locally sourced dolomite was ground into powder to replace scarce fly ash, saving approximately £550,000 (¥5 million RMB). The bridge also incorporates “smart cables” – fibre-optic sensors embedded in the main cables – to continuously monitor stress, temperature and humidity, ensuring long-term durability.
The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge is expected to boost economic development in the remote Guizhou region by attracting tourism, improving logistics, and supporting new business growth.
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