China is set to break another engineering record with the opening of the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, which will become the tallest bridge in the world when it opens later this summer in Guizhou Province.
The bridge towers an incredible 2,051 feet above the river it spans, surpassing the current record-holder, France’s Millau Viaduct, by 947 feet. It crosses the Huajiang Grand Canyon, a dramatic chasm often referred to as the “earth crack” due to its deep and narrow formation.
Guizhou is one of China’s most mountainous and underdeveloped regions, where travel has long been challenging. The construction of this bridge is part of a broader national effort to improve infrastructure in such areas and reduce travel times.
According to Chinese state media, once the bridge opens, travel time across the canyon will be cut from two hours to just one minute, transforming local mobility and trade potential.
The bridge itself is a steel truss suspension bridge and will span 9,482 feet in total length. Construction began on January 18, 2022, and is scheduled for completion on June 30, 2025.
Weighing in at around 22,000 tons roughly the same as three Eiffel Towers the steel trusses form the backbone of this massive structure, combining strength and flexibility to withstand the area’s geological challenges.
Zhang Shenglin, chief engineer of Guizhou Highway Group, told the state-run China Daily that 95% of construction is already completed and preparations for opening are on track.
He called the bridge a “super project” that will symbolize China’s infrastructure power, noting that it will be the first of its kind in terms of height and dual-direction design.
More than just a record-breaker, the bridge is a practical solution to geographic isolation in a province that has struggled with poor connectivity for decades. It highlights China’s continued emphasis on infrastructure as a driver of economic development.
The project also reflects China’s growing reputation as a leader in ambitious, large-scale construction ventures, from bullet trains to towering skyscrapers and massive dams.
When opened later this year, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge is expected to draw international attention not only for its height but also as a symbol of the country’s engineering ambitions realized in steel and concrete.
