China opened the world’s highest bridge to traffic on Sunday, marking the completion of an engineering feat that took more than three years to build.
The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, in the country’s mountainous Guizhou province, soars 625 metres (2,051 feet) above a gorge, surpassing the nearby Beipanjiang Bridge, which now ranks second.
Live drone footage on state media showed vehicles crossing the colossal structure as its blue towers pierced through low clouds. Engineers, officials, and residents gathered for the inauguration, hailing the achievement.
“The opening of the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge reduces travel time between the two sides from two hours to two minutes,” Zhang Yin, head of the provincial transport department, said. She added that it would bring “enormous improvements to regional transportation conditions” and fuel local economic and social growth.
Guizhou, known for its rugged terrain, has become a hub of world-class bridge engineering. Nearly half of the world’s 100 tallest bridges are located in the province, according to Xinhua. The new structure, with a main span of 1,420 metres, is also recognised as the “world’s largest-span bridge built in a mountainous area.”
China has poured resources into massive infrastructure projects over recent decades, linking once-isolated regions as part of its rapid development drive. While the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge claims the title of highest, France’s Millau viaduct remains the tallest structure of its kind at 343 metres.
What you should know
The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge is not just an engineering marvel but a symbol of China’s infrastructure ambition.
Its record-breaking height underscores Guizhou’s reputation as the world capital of bridges, highlighting how such projects are transforming connectivity, travel, and economic opportunity in China’s most challenging landscapes.
