The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge -- the world's highest bridge -- has turned what was once a grueling barrier for the Red Army during the Long March into a lifeline of shared prosperity for today's people in southwest China's Guizhou Province.
The Red Army, led by the Communist Party of China (CPC), trekked up to 12,500 kilometers between 1934 and 1936 to break through the Kuomintang party (KMT) siege, a journey later known as the Long March.
In 1935, the Red Army crossed the Chishui River in the region four times at the direction of Mao Zedong, marking one of the most decisive and victorious military moves during the Long March.
At Erlangtan, one of the key ferry crossings in that campaign, Red Army soldiers crossed the river with wooden planks donated by local villagers.
"Back then, the Red Army arrived at Erlangtan. The Chishui river ran wild. Local villagers donated wooden door planks to build pontoon bridges, enabling the whole army to cross the river," said Wang Haiqing, an expert on the history of the Four Crossings of the Chishui River.
Decades later, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge opened to traffic in September 2025.
Soaring 626 meters above the Beipan River, the bridge has emerged as a major tourist attraction. Official figures show that the bridge and its surrounding area had welcomed more than 3.3 million visitors as of Sept 2026.
On busy days, nearly 10,000 tourists from across the globe travel to the towering crossing, while a maintenance team has been stationed there to ensure their safety.
"We conduct patrols on the bridge every day. When winds pick up, we monitor the equipment and wind conditions, and carry out a full inspection of all facilities," said Li Jie, bridge maintenance supervisor of the Shuangrufeng Maintenance Station.
The bridge has slashed travel time across the canyon from two hours to just two minutes.
"Construction took three years and nine months. Since completion, the bridge has greatly facilitated local villagers' travel," said Long Jiyang, an engineer of the bridge project.
As of 2026, Guizhou is home to more than 32,000 bridges, either completed or under construction. Better road links have brought ethnic minority villages tucked deep in the mountains to the wider world.
"Better transportation has brought abundant tourists and market opportunities. We integrate traditional intangible cultural heritage crafts with tourism to develop featured souvenirs. Last year, our handmade craft sales exceeded 20 million yuan (about 3 million U.S. dollars)," said Lu Yongmei, an intangible cultural heritage inheritor.
"Thanks to tourism, local people can find jobs or start their own businesses right here. Fewer villagers have to leave home to work elsewhere," said Lu Yuguang, a local village official.
World's highest bridge now crosses gorge in Guizhou near Red Army's path during Long March
