China has inaugurated the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, now recognized as the world’s highest bridge, in the southwestern province of Guizhou. Rising 625 meters above the Beipan River, the structure cuts travel time across the canyon from two hours to just two minutes.
The bridge spans 2,890 meters in total, with a main span of 1,420 meters, setting a new record for suspension bridges in mountainous terrain. Construction, completed in just over three years, required advanced technologies, including satellite navigation, drones and smart monitoring systems, to achieve millimeter-level precision.
Officials noted that the crossing is expected to significantly improve regional connectivity and stimulate economic development in Guizhou, one of China’s less developed provinces. The project has also secured 21 patents, with several innovations incorporated into China’s national bridge design standards.
Guizhou has become a center for bridge engineering, hosting nearly half of the world’s 100 tallest bridges. More than 30,000 bridges have been constructed in the province, including the previous record-holder over the Beipan River, completed in 2016.
