China Opens World’s Highest Bridge, a Landmark Engineering Marvel in Guizhou

Beijing, Sept 2025 – China has inaugurated the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, now recognized as the world’s highest bridge, an engineering marvel that towers 625 metres (2,051 feet) above the Huajiang River in the country’s mountainous Guizhou province.

The record-breaking structure overtakes the nearby Beipanjiang Bridge (565 metres), which previously held the global title. The completion marks the culmination of a project that took more than three years and highlights China’s rapid advances in large-scale infrastructure.

A Landmark Opening Ceremony

Live drone footage aired by state media on Sunday captured the striking sight of vehicles crossing the bridge, with its sky-blue support towers piercing through clouds. Crowds of engineers, officials, and local residents gathered on-site to witness the occasion. Many expressed pride and excitement in live interviews, calling the bridge a symbol of modern China’s ingenuity.

Zhang Yin, head of the provincial transport department, emphasized the bridge’s transformative impact. “The opening of the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge reduces travel time between the two sides from two hours to just two minutes,” she said. “It will significantly improve transportation conditions and provide new momentum for regional economic and social development.”

Engineering Feat in a Rugged Landscape

Spanning 1,420 metres, the bridge also claims the record for the largest-span bridge built in a mountainous region, showcasing China’s mastery of complex terrain construction. Guizhou, a rugged and hilly province, is now home to both the world’s highest and second-highest bridges, earning it the title of China’s “bridge capital.”

The achievement underscores Beijing’s long-standing strategy of investing heavily in major infrastructure to support economic growth and urbanization. Over the past few decades, bridges, highways, and high-speed rail networks have dramatically reshaped China’s connectivity.

Global Comparison

While the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge now leads the world in terms of clearance above ground, the title of the tallest bridge structure—measured by the height of its towers rather than the distance to the surface below—still belongs to France’s Millau Viaduct, standing at 343 metres.

With its breathtaking scale and strategic importance, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge is more than just a transport link—it is a new global landmark in engineering excellence.