China Suspension Bridge: Visitors Flock To The World’s Longest And Highest Glass-Bottomed Bridge

The Shiniuzhai National Geological Park in China has become one of the star destinations for tourists, thanks to an impressive glass suspension bridge that just opened this past Thursday. The area previously served as the inspiration for James Cameron to create the planet Pandora, from the movie Avatar. Now, it boasts the longest and highest glass suspension bridge in the world. China’s new bridge is expected to soon be officially named the longest and tallest glass-bottomed bridge in the world, according to a report from ABC News.

Israeli architect Haim Dotan was behind the ambitious venture, Daily Mail wrote.

“I believe in nature, harmony, balance and beauty,” Dotan told reporters. “Nature is beautiful as is. The Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge was designed to be invisible as possible — a white bridge disappearing into the clouds.”

Opened to the incredulous looks of the many tourists who rushed to the scene, the bridge has a length of almost 300 meters and sits at a height of 180 meters above ground. Each glass panel is 24mm thick and 25 times stronger than conventional glass, and the main ropes holding the bridge in place are 53mm in diameter, the Shanghaiist reports.

Dotan, who also conceived the Israel Pavilion for Expo 2010 in Shanghai, said that the bridge will also serve as a runway for fashion shows and can hold up to 800 people at once. Interestingly, the bridge will also be equipped with bungee jumping. This spot is perfect for those who love extreme sports. It is expected to offer the world’s highest bungee jump, snatching the title from the previous record holder, the 233m Macau Tower bungee jump.

Located in the valley areas, the bridge offers breathtaking views of the landscape. This is not the first time that Chinese engineers have used glass to make tourism more spectacular in their areas. A 475-foot-tall glass elevator structure was recently constructed, and it allows an incredible viewpoint on the side of a vertical cliff stretching more than 3,500 feet above sea level in the heart of Dabie Mountains.

Each year, the park attracts more than 30 million people who come to admire its landscape, with amazing formations shaped over the centuries by the action of water. China’s new suspension bridge is now one of the star attractions, as visitors can enjoy a panoramic view, but it is not suitable for people with vertigo.

[Image via YouTube]