TL;DR: China officially opened the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in Guizhou on September 28, 2025. At 625 meters (2,051 feet) above the Beipan River, it is the tallest bridge in the world, cutting travel time across the canyon from 2 hours to 1-2 minutes and boosting regional connectivity, tourism, and development.
🔹 What Happened
- The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge opened on September 28, 2025, in Guizhou province, China, becoming the world’s tallest bridge at 625 meters (2,051 feet) above the Beipan River.
- The bridge spans 2,890 meters (1.8 miles) in total, with a main span of 1,420 meters, making it also the longest bridge in a mountainous region.
- It connects Liuzhi Special District and Anlong County via the Guizhou S57 Expressway, reducing travel time across the canyon from two hours to about two minutes.
- The bridge opened after three years of construction, beginning in January 2022, with a total cost of 3 billion yuan (approx. $430 million).
🔹 Design & Technology
- The bridge uses a cable-stayed design supported by two 332-meter towers, and can withstand winds up to 177 km/h and earthquakes up to 7.5 magnitude.
- It is equipped with fiber optic sensors and real-time monitoring systems for structural safety.
- Advanced engineering techniques, such as 3D laser scanning and wind tunnel testing, were used to address complex terrain and weather.
🔹 Tourism and Economic Development
- The bridge includes a glass skywalk, glass elevator, coffeehouse, and areas for bungee jumping and paragliding.
- Officials expect the bridge to boost tourism and support economic growth in Guizhou, a historically underdeveloped region.
- It is part of the G76 Xiamen-Chengdu Expressway, enhancing links between southeastern and western China.
🔹 Government and Expert Statements
- Chinese state media called the bridge a "symbol of technological prowess" and a tool for poverty reduction in Guizhou.
- International experts noted the bridge sets new standards for high-altitude infrastructure and praised its safety features.
- Public posts on X (formerly Twitter) from late September 2025 highlighted both awe and environmental concerns.
🔹 Global and Regional Context
- China now holds 10 of the world’s top 12 tallest bridges, with Guizhou province home to nearly half of the top 100.
- The Huajiang Bridge surpasses the Beipanjiang Bridge (565 meters), which held the height record since 2016.
- Other notable Chinese bridges include the Duge Bridge and Sidu River Bridge, showcasing China’s focus on mega-infrastructure.
🔹 Challenges & Concerns
- Environmental concerns include disruption to local habitats during construction, though mitigation steps were reported.
- Cost-efficiency is debated due to the high investment in a low-density region.
- The bridge’s height and location require ongoing maintenance and monitoring for safety.