China has officially opened the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge to traffic, claiming the title of the world’s highest bridge and surpassing another record-holder in the same region.
The newly inaugurated structure stands a staggering 625 metres (2,051 feet) above the ground, stretching across a deep gorge and river in the mountainous Guizhou province in southwest China.
It overtakes the Beipanjiang Bridge, also located in Guizhou, which previously held the record at 565 metres.
On Sunday, Chinese state media broadcast live drone footage showing vehicles driving across the bridge, with its towering blue supports piercing through the clouds.
Local officials, engineers and residents gathered to witness the opening ceremony, sharing their pride in the achievement.
Zhang Yin, head of Guizhou’s provincial transport department, highlighted the bridge’s practical benefits during a press briefing, noting that it cuts travel time between the two sides of the canyon from two hours to just two minutes.
“The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge marks a major improvement in regional connectivity and brings fresh momentum to economic and social development,” Zhang said.
Guizhou, known for its rugged terrain, has become a hub for ambitious engineering projects.
According to Xinhua News Agency, nearly half of the world’s 100 tallest bridges are located within the province, underlining China’s continued investment in large-scale infrastructure.
Construction of the bridge took more than three years and it features a main span of 1,420 metres, making it the longest-span bridge ever built in a mountainous area, according to Xinhua.
While the Huajiang bridge holds the record for the highest clearance from ground to deck, the title of the tallest bridge structure still belongs to the Millau Viaduct in France, which measures 343 metres from base to its highest structural point.
This project is another example of how China continues to push the limits of engineering and design to overcome geographical challenges and enhance regional development.
