The Beipanjiang Bridge in southwest China, the world's highest bridge, has become a popular tourist attraction boasting an integration of heartpounding extreme sports and breathtaking scenery. Construction of the bridge began in 2013 and was completed in 2016. The bridge sits over 565.4 meters above a valley, equivalent to the height of a building with over 200 stories. Spanning 1,341.4 meters, the bridge links Duge Township of Liupanshui in Guizhou Province with Puli Township of Xuanwei in southwest China's Yunnan Province. The bridge has significantly improved local transportation and is providing a substantial boost to tourism in the area. "Before the bridge was built, if we wanted to go out of the village, we had to climb up the mountain first, then down the mountain to the river, often taking four hours. Now we can earn a living at home, as tourists from many countries including Britain, Germany, France, Russia, Israel and Lebanon are coming to visit my hometown," said Ma Xuanjun, a local villager. Thanks to the popularity of the Beipanjiang Bridge, over 10 homestays and farm stays have emerged in the region, leading to a rapid growth in rural tourism.
"Since the Beipanjiang Bridge was completed, we have combined its transportation benefits with tourism initiatives. For example, we organized high-bridge low-altitude skydiving competition events in recent years, which has attracted more visitors as the bridge increased its popularity," said Zhu Rong, a local official on culture and tourism. Another bridge crossing the Beipanjiang River is the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, which has incorporated tourism elements right from the start of its construction. A series of projects aiming at blending bridge infrastructure with tourism has been planned. The 2,890-meter-long Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, with a designed height of 625 meters between the bridge deck and the Beipanjiang River below, is set to be the highest bridge in the world after it is completed in 2025. Guizhou has built several iconic bridges and integrated the bridges with various industries including tourism, culture and sports by establishing attractions such as bridge museums, astronomical science museums and cliffside hotels. By doing so, the province aims to breathe new life into its cultural and tourism sectors.
World's highest bridge in southwest China gains popularity among tourists
