02-06-2025
How World's Highest Bridge in China Compares to Golden Gate
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The Huajiang Canyon Bridge in China is set to open this month after three years of construction, becoming the highest bridge in the world.
The suspension bridge, which has been raised 2,051 feet above the canyon, will rise above the previous title holder, the Duge Bridge, which is 1,854 feet above the ground and is also in China.
The Context
Construction on the Huajiang Canyon Bridge began in 2022, in China's southwestern Guizhou region. It's scheduled to open this month after almost three years of work, despite the difficult mountain terrain in Guizhou. Once fully operational, the bridge will reduce the travel time across the canyon from more than an hour to just three minutes.
The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge under construction on November 27, 2024, in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province, China. On January 17, 2025, the bridge was connected across the canyon.
The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge under construction on November 27, 2024, in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province, China. On January 17, 2025, the bridge was connected across the canyon.
Tang Zhe/China News Service/VCG via AP
What To Know
At 2,051 feet above the canyon floor, the Huajiang Canyon Bridge is already one of the tallest structures in the world.
For comparison, the Golden Gate Bridge in California is just 220 feet above the water level, almost 10 times lower than its Chinese counterparts. Completed in 1937, the Golden Gtate Bridge is 746 feet high (including the towers), meaning it could fit under the Huajiang Canyon Bridge more than twice.
The highest suspension bridge in the U.S. is the Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado, which was completed in 1929 and is suspended 956 feet above the Arkansas River.
The Huajiang Canyon Bridge has an official opening date of June 30, which means it was completed in less than three years, well ahead of schedule. Local Chinese media reported that builders worked on the structure throughout holidays to meet the deadline.
The Huajiang Canyon Bridge is a suspension bridge, which means it hangs the main deck from vertical suspenders at both ends. This design is best suited for very long main spans that need some leeway, as the design is relatively flexible.
Huajiang Canyon Bridge, set to be the world's tallest at 625m, spans 2,890m. A marvel of Chinese engineering, it's nearing completion for a 2025 — China Perspective (@China_Fact) May 29, 2025
What People Are Saying
Mamdouh El-Badry, a professor of civil engineering at the University of Calgary, told Newsweek:"In other parts of the world, a project of this scale would typically take five to 10 years from groundbreaking to completion, depending on environmental, political and logistical factors.
"Over the past 20 years, China has adopted a top-down approach to infrastructure, giving priority to large-scale projects to drive economic development and regional connectivity. This includes massive investment, fewer hurdles and streamlined approval processes compared to many Western countries which often face lengthy environmental reviews, funding uncertainties and local opposition, which can delay or often block major infrastructure efforts."
What Happens Next
The bridge will open properly for vehicle use on June 30. Chinese authorities hope it will help stimulate the Guizhou region's economy.
