The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge officially opened to traffic on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in Chinese engineering. Located in the mountainous Guizhou province, the structure rises 625 meters above the river below. This height is comparable to the Shanghai Tower, making it the highest bridge in the world, surpassing the previous record held by the Duge Bridge.
The bridge spans the Huajiang Grand Canyon, a narrow and deep gorge often referred to as the “Earth’s crack.” With a total length of 2,890 meters and a main span of 1,420 meters, it is also set to become the longest mountain bridge globally. The project took more than three years to complete and represents a major achievement in regional infrastructure development.
State media broadcast live drone footage of the opening ceremony, showing vehicles traversing the immense blue support towers as they emerged from the clouds. Crowds of onlookers, reportedly including project engineers and local officials, gathered at the site to celebrate the completion of the structure. The event was marked by expressions of pride regarding the technical complexity involved in the construction.
Provincial transport department head Zhang Yin highlighted the practical benefits of the new connection during a press conference. She noted that the bridge reduces travel time reportedly between the two sides of the canyon from two hours to just two minutes. This improvement is expected to have a positive impact on regional transportation conditions and contribute to local economic growth.
Guizhou province is already recognized for its extensive bridge network, housing nearly half of the world’s 100 highest bridges. The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge now claims the top spot for height, while the 565-meter Beipanjiang Bridge, also in Guizhou, moves to second place. These projects reflect China's significant investment in infrastructure over recent decades.
While the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge holds the record for the highest deck above the ground, the Millau Viaduct in France remains the tallest bridge when measured by the height of its own structure, standing at 343 meters. The distinction emphasizes the unique engineering challenges overcome by the builders in Guizhou’s rugged terrain.
The completion of this project is viewed as a key step in China’s ongoing efforts to improve connectivity in its western provinces. By bridging deep gorges, the government aims to integrate remote areas into the broader national economy, facilitating faster transit and improved access for residents living in mountainous regions.
