Step aside, Golden Gate and Sydney Harbour — China is preparing to unveil the world’s tallest bridge this June, marking another landmark achievement for the infrastructure-driven nation.
The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, now in its final stages of construction in Guizhou, southwest China, will soar 2,051 feet above the river below — a full 947 feet higher than the current record holder, France’s Millau Viaduct.
Guizhou province, a rugged and mountainous region in China, is known for its challenging terrain. The new bridge spans the striking Huajiang Grand Canyon, often referred to as the “earth crack.”
Part of China’s broader effort to boost infrastructure, especially in less developed, mountainous areas like Guizhou — located about 800 miles west of Shenzhen — the bridge is about more than just setting records. Once open, it will dramatically improve transportation across the canyon, cutting travel time from two hours to just one minute, according to state media.
“The bridge’s overall progress has reached 95%, and it’s scheduled to open to traffic in the second half of 2025,” Zhang Shenglin, chief engineer of Guizhou Highway Group, told the state-run China Daily.
“Once completed, this massive project spanning the ‘earth crack’ will be the tallest of its kind in both directions, standing as another landmark showcasing China’s infrastructure capabilities,” Zhang added.
Today, nearly half of the world’s 100 tallest bridges are located in Guizhou.
