China’s Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is now home to a remarkable 430-meter-long glass bridge, designed by architect Haim Dotan. This awe-inspiring structure, known as the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, is both the longest and tallest glass pedestrian bridge in the world.
With glass panels integrated into its walkway, visitors can experience breathtaking views and capture stunning photos of the canyon beneath their feet.
Dotan, the designer of this extraordinary bridge situated within a captivating national park, holds a deep belief in the inherent beauty, harmony, balance, and magnificence of nature. He emphasizes the importance of minimizing any impact on its natural splendor.
The bridge is skillfully positioned on the precipice of two cliffs, suspended gracefully 300 meters above the ground by sturdy stay cables. Along the glazed walkway, wavy slatted handrails adorn the edges, while the walkway itself gradually narrows towards the center of the canyon, offering an awe-inspiring and amplified perspective.
With a remarkable capacity to accommodate up to 800 individuals simultaneously, the bridge has already served as the starting point for the world’s highest bungee jump, as confirmed by the architect.
As an immensely popular tourist destination, the bridge will not only captivate visitors but also host private events, including fashion shows where it will transform into a unique runway.
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“It will create an experience of being in pure nature while suspended in mid-air, between heaven and earth, like a bird with its wings open wide,” said the architect. “I called it Bridge of Courageous Hearts.”
Haim Dotan, an architect who established his Tel Aviv practice in 1990, joins a lineage of architects and designers who have integrated glass into the foundations of bridge structures.
Recently, there have been proposals for various glass-bottomed swimming pools, including one in London that connects two residential towers and another in Gujarat state, India.
To access the glass bridge, tickets are priced at £16, in addition to the £13.50 fee to visit the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Scenic Area, nestled in China’s Hunan Province.
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