Summary
Introduction to the Glass-Bottom Bridge
The world’s second longest glass-bottomed bridge opened to the public in China in July 2020, spanning 1,726 feet across the Lianjiang River in southern China’s Huangchuan Three Gorges Scenic Area. The bridge dangles about 660 feet above the river, providing a memorable walk across for those brave enough to step onto its glassy footpath.
Design and Specifications
The bridge was designed by the Architectural Design & Research Institute of Zhejiang University as a tourist attraction for the area. It includes expansive platforms, approximately 28 feet wide, where tourists can pause for photographs as they make their way across the breathtaking glass walkway.
The glass bottom comprises three layers of tempered laminated glass about 1.7 inches (4.5 centimeters) thick, designed to be entirely transparent. Consequently, visitors experience the thrill of walking hundreds of feet above the flowing river, where boats may pass below.
This remarkable bridge can accommodate up to 500 guests at a time, according to Dezeen. Its guardrails are crafted from stainless steel, and the bridge’s towers and main cables are a vibrant red, creating a striking contrast against the lush greenery of the gorges.
World Record Recognition
Completed in early 2020, the bridge was officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the longest glass-bottomed bridge in the world in July of that year. Its title was only recently eclipsed by the Bach Long (White Dragon) pedestrian bridge in Son La, Vietnam, which became the new world’s longest glass-bottomed bridge in May 2022, measuring 2,073 feet long.
Glass Bridges in China
China is home to more than 2,300 glass bridges, as reported by BBC. New projects continuously vie for the titles of biggest, longest, and most thrilling. Notably, in 2016, the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge became the longest at 1,411 feet, though it closed shortly after opening due to overwhelming visitor numbers. In 2017, the Hongyagu suspension bridge claimed the title of longest and most daunting, designed to sway as pedestrians walk across its 1,600-foot length, thus adding an exhilarating element of fear to the experience.
