China is set to redefine engineering limits this summer with the opening of the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in Guizhou province—soon to become the world’s tallest bridge.
Scheduled for completion by June 30, 2025, the bridge will tower 2,051 feet (625 meters) above the riverbed, surpassing France’s Millau Viaduct by nearly 1,000 feet. This marvel of modern infrastructure spans the dramatic Huajiang Grand Canyon, a natural wonder locally known as the “earth crack,” located in the rugged terrain of southwest China.
Transforming Mountain Travel
Guizhou is known for its steep mountains and isolated landscapes, which historically made travel and transportation difficult. The new bridge will dramatically cut travel time across the canyon—from two hours to just one minute—boosting connectivity in one of China’s less-developed regions, about 800 miles from the tech hub of Shenzhen.
Far more than a record-breaking structure, the bridge is a vital link in China’s national plan to enhance infrastructure and economic development in remote areas.
Engineering on a Massive Scale
The bridge is a steel truss suspension structure stretching 9,482 feet (2,890 meters) in total length. Construction began in January 2022, and the project is now 95% complete. The entire steel truss system weighs approximately 22,000 tons, the equivalent of three Eiffel Towers stacked together.
Zhang Shenglin, chief engineer with Guizhou Highway Group, confirmed that the bridge is on track to open in the second half of 2025. Once operational, it will be the tallest bridge in the world and the first of its kind to achieve such a height in both travel directions.
Guizhou: A Bridge-Building Powerhouse
With nearly half of the world’s 100 tallest bridges located in Guizhou, the region has emerged as a global leader in extreme terrain bridge construction. This latest project only cements China’s reputation for tackling some of the most ambitious infrastructure challenges on Earth.
The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge is not just a structure—it’s a symbol of China’s determination to connect every corner of its vast landscape, no matter how remote or rugged.
