China’s Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge is Now World’s Highest, Boasts Massive Artificial Waterfall

China’s Guizhou province has once again made a name for itself by going overboard with extreme infrastructure; the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge is a new addition to the list as the world’s highest bridge, with its roadway dangling 625 meters over the Bei Pan River. Drivers may pass by in about a minute flat, which represents a big improvement over historic mountain roads and ferry crossings that used to take more than an hour if they were fortunate.

The Liuzhi-Anlong Expressway is a beast, winding its way through a stunning karst landscape of towering limestone cliffs and deep valleys, spanning a 2890-meter-long bridge from one side of the abyss to the other. The longest part is 1420 meters and is situated between two towers that stand 262 meters tall. With the alpine scenery in the background, it’s a genuinely stunning effort. The bridge is remarkable on its own, but what was added during construction elevates it to new heights.

When one of the engineers boring a tunnel on one side of the bridge came across a massive underground water flow in the porous karst rock, they could have simply drained it all, but they chose to collect it in a reservoir and pump it back up to the bridge deck. According to Chinese government media, it was spread in the center of the main span to create this gigantic, misty waterfall that is approximately 300 meters wide and has a 600-meter cascade, making it the world’s largest artificial waterfall. With a simple adjustment of the pressure, you can change the height as well as volume of the spray, and when the sun sets, laser lights illuminate it, making the entire thing shimmer. Bonus points: the water is utilized to irrigate the fields next door, it serves as a comfortable rest stop for passing truckers, and it keeps the toilets operating.

People who have crossed the bridge, on the other hand, describe it as terrifying from above. The vehicles on the deck resemble small matchboxes, and several passengers have reported feeling as if they are nearly touching the clouds with their fingertips. The construction team, who spent months creating the thing, gushed about the breathtaking vistas and how many first-timers enjoy standing on the edge.

People now flock to the bridge for more than just the views, since there is now a glass walkway beneath the deck that provides an unobstructed view straight down into the valley, as well as a bright new glass elevator that transports visitors to a cafe high above the bridge, ideal for a coffee with a view. The bridge even provides some death-defying activities, such as bungee jumping and paragliding, with intentions to organize base jumping events soon.
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