Glass bridges in China and the feeling of walking on them. In China, the famous glass bridge began to crack, but visitors do not decrease from this Where is the glass bridge in China

The glass bridge is not only beautiful, but also stylish. The Chinese decided so, and built an unusual glass building in Hunan province. After the bridge was built, it was used to connect the two sides of the mountains, and also played a lot of tourists.

Bridge features

This bridge is considered the longest structure on the planet made of glass. Its length is 430 meters. And the width is 6 meters. The bridge is suspended at a height of 380 meters. Also, this design is safe and equipped with the latest technology.

The glass bridge project and its construction cost China $3.4 million. The bridge consists of 99 strong and three-layer parts. A national park and a canyon extend under the bridge. So far, excursions at the facility are being held in test mode.

Draws of tourists

Immediately after the opening, a funny incident occurred on an extraordinary bridge. The guide, who was leading the group through the glass structure, suddenly fell to his knees and screamed hysterically, and under his feet there was a visual effect of cracked glass. The tourists were taken aback, but then relaxed a little, because a passer-by was calmly walking along the bridge in their direction.

Glass bridge in China cracked under the feet of tourists (video)

It turned out that the bridge is equipped with interactive panels that create the effect of cracks, as well as reproducing the sound of breaking glass necessary for the prank. These are the Chinese entertainers.

Bridge visit

8,000 people can look at the bridge and walk along it a day. Before opening, the structure was tested for strength more than 100 times. The attraction was opened in 2016. At first, people were on duty near the ticket office in front of the bridge at night to buy a ticket for an excursion.

Now everyone is used to the new miracle of engineering, and the excitement around it has subsided a bit. 800 people can cross the bridge at the same time. But for security reasons, the throughput number was reduced to 600. After all, the bridge itself is guarded by about 200 guards.

The facility is open to visitors from 7 am to 5 pm. It often happens that by 8 am all tickets for the glass bridge are already sold out, so it is worth planning a tour of it in advance.

The ticket price is approximately 140 yuan. A child under 1 meter and 30 centimeters tall can enter for free.

How to get to the glass bridge?

The city with the bridge is located in the southwest of Beijing. You can get there by train. You will have to get off the car at the Zhangjiajie station. It is also possible to fly to this place from Beijing by plane.

The canyon, over which a glass bridge hangs, is a 15-minute drive from the city. It is preferable to get to it by car, which is not difficult to rent.

In fact, bridges with glass inserts, through which dizzying views open up, are found not only among the creations of modern architecture. It would seem, is it possible to imagine something more reliable and solid than the Tower Bridge in London, a symbol of the Victorian era and the prosperity of the British kingdom? However, even here the ground can slip from under your feet – if you climb the pedestrian part of the bridge at a height of 44 meters, walk to the area with a glass floor and look at the cars below. However, breathtaking panoramas of London also open up through the windows - and they are certainly worth paying a modest amount for entry here: like any attraction, tickets are sold for the two upper pedestrian bridges and not always allowed.

It is noteworthy that the entrance to the upper part of the bridge was paid from the very beginning, because the Tower "lintels", designed, like the whole structure, by Horace Jones, did not change their position at night, when the automobile part of the bridge was raised. However, zealous Londoners preferred to wait until the bridge was brought down again in order to use the free pedestrian sidewalks.

Expensive maintenance of the elevators did not pay off, and for more than 70 years the road to the top was ordered, until in 1982 an exhibition of the history of the Tower Bridge opened here, which is still open. Moreover, today's visitors have an extra bonus: a trip in a new elevator, which now also has a transparent floor.

However, a completely glass bridge was built already in the 21st century. One of the first was the Lugner Bridge in Vienna by architects Bulant & Wailzer, named after the Austrian billionaire who made his fortune in construction. And the bridge, in turn, serves as the entrance to the shopping center of the same name.

And for Austria - if not for the whole world - in 2005 it was the first time that glass panels of such a large size (2 × 5 m) could be installed on a steel frame using invisible fasteners, so that the impression of a single glass surface was created - and from all four sides.

Inside the bridge there is a restaurant popular with locals and tourists - so much so that even in the most "dead" time there is no free table here. But from the street it becomes obvious only in the evenings, when the glass "inside" is flooded with blue light.

However, if we talk about spectacular lighting, the Yas Marina complex in the UAE, on a completely artificial island in the middle of the Persian Gulf near Abu Dhabi, has become a real masterpiece in the field of lighting design. In 2009, the Formula 1 track was inaugurated here - and a giant hotel built right above it, designed by Hani Rashid of the Asymptote bureau.

Two buildings of different heights are united by a huge canopy 217 meters long, reminiscent of a whale half out of the water, and this canopy consists entirely of 5800 glass panels with built-in LEDs.

Diodes are programmed from a single remote control and change color according to a given scenario - that's why the hotel makes such an indelible impression if you see it in the evening.

But no less interesting experience will, of course, be watching the races. And the best place for this is the glass bridge connecting the hotel buildings: the racing track runs right under it.

A structure with a glass curved canopy - but, of course, on a much smaller scale - was erected in 2010 in the capital of Georgia. The "Bridge of Peace" designed by the Italian Michele de Lucca appeared between the old and new Tbilisi.

We wrote in more detail about the bridge over the Mkhtari River, in which not only the "roof" is made of glass, but also the fences along the entire length. And, although the project was not approved by everyone, today the Bridge of Peace is the same city “icon” as the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, caressed by the attention of tourists.

Actually tourists, thirsty for spectacles, make up the main target audience of glass bridges. Remember the poetic names we listed at the beginning? So all these bridges really exist. For example, many of you have probably heard about Skypath over the Grand Canyon in Arizona, an observation deck designed by architect Mark Ross Johnson and opened in 2009.

This attraction is such an attraction: a bridge in the form of a half-arc, extended beyond the rocks by 20 meters, turns out to be at a height of more than 1.2 km! And this is exactly the case when both the railings and the floor are made of glass, and they are made of glass of special transparency, with protection against pollution.

To look around, so to speak, with a clear look, and feel yourself hovering over the abyss. Whatever you say, this is perhaps the most memorable way to admire the mountains - unless you are ready to put a backpack on your back, arm yourself with an ice ax and crampons and go to conquer Everest.

It is no coincidence that in China, in the south of which the mountain ranges are especially picturesque, walks in the air above the gorges are so popular. It is here, on the territory of the Zhangjiajie National Reserve, that the very “path of fear” is located, located even higher than the Arizona “Sky Trail” - 1300 meters above sea level.

And again, glass is everywhere, the only support is the mountainside, along which the path leads. Those who have walked it from beginning to end claim that it was the most endless 60 meters in their lives.

I wonder what it would be like for them on the five times longer "Bold Courageous Bridge" that opened in Hunan province this fall. Last week, we — for China, this is the first bridge made entirely of glass. The builders claim that even if pedestrians start jumping on it - why jump there: even if the glass eventually breaks, nothing terrible will happen.

In general, they wanted to build the bridge from wood, but unexpectedly calculated that 24 mm thick glass panels would make the structure 25 times stronger. And now, at a height of 180 meters, over a picturesque gorge between two rocks, a 300-meter glass bridge stretches - thus taking away some of the glory from another bridge, which will open only six months later.

Here it was supposed to be, indeed, the longest glass bridge - and concurrently the highest: 430 meters long, almost 300 meters high. The Bridge in the Clouds will stretch over the Chinese version of the Grand Canyon (you didn't doubt they have one, did you?) and will consist of 99 2-inch-thick glass plates.

The Italian architect Chaim Dotan, who designed the "cloud road", claims that up to 800 people can be on it at the same time. And those who will still not have enough thrills after the walk will be offered to jump down from it using the “rope jumping” technique, tying a rope to themselves. To fly - so fly!

It is a pity that such picturesque gorges cannot be found near Moscow. However, there is a chance that the capital will soon have its own "floating bridge". A spectacular V-shaped structure, noticeably prominent above the Moskva River, is in the park project in Zaryadye, which is currently being developed by an international team of specialists led by the New York bureau Diller Scofidio + Renfro.

We do not know how the bridge will look in reality, but in the picture it is magnificent. And the panoramas of Zamoskvorechye, although they cannot compete with mountain landscapes, are also very attractive.

One way or another, it would be a mistake to talk about glass bridges only in the context of viewing platforms. For example, glass bridges and galleries are increasingly found in housing estates and neighborhoods. Here they perform their direct duty - they connect different parts and levels of the complex together.

Indicative in this sense is the Beijing project Linked Hybrid by American Steven Hall. 9 buildings (8 residential and one hotel) are interconnected at three levels at once: on the ground, underground and in the air. And these suspension bridges actually “made” the quarter, providing it with a recognizable expressive appearance.

From the point of view of space organization, bridges also play a big role: for Stephen Hall, they work as a variety of public areas. There is a pool in one zone, a fitness club in another, a cafe in the third, a gallery in the fourth ... Perhaps, in this duality lies the essence of the name - Linked Hybrid, "linked hybrid". But what is especially important is that all public spaces of the complex can also be used by citizens.

In this regard - and also in the context, of course, of glass bridges - it is impossible not to recall another project - and again in Moscow. The sensational "Garden Quarters", the design code for which was developed by Sergey Skuratov, and all the buildings were designed by prominent Russian architects, are under active construction. And with the Hall project, as it turns out, the "Garden Quarters" have a lot in common.

This is the permeability of public areas for citizens, and the use of bridges as a universal "link" between diverse and multi-level buildings and public spaces. And glass bridges are made to completely dissolve in the surroundings and not distract the eye from a rather rare collection of high-quality architecture in one place for Moscow.

Finally, you probably noticed that absolutely all the bridges in our selection are pedestrian. But believe me: the point is not at all that the glass surface will not withstand the weight of the car. It's just that glass, being part of the bridge, opens up new levels of connectivity for the pedestrian - not between points A and B, but between our inner world and the outside, between us and new impressions. Glass seems to give the bridge a third dimension that you can't see through a car window. And only when you feel the ground with your feet, you can break away from it.

Photo by Rupert Steiner, Wikimedia, Asymptote, Skuratov Architects, DS+R, Steven Holl Architects

China has many beautiful provinces with national parks and forests that amaze with picturesque natural landscapes. Rare plants grow here and representatives of the animal world, listed in the Red Book, live. In terms of the number of tourists, the Celestial Empire ranks 3rd in the world, and tourism is an important sector of the country's economy that has been rapidly developing in recent decades. Moreover, guests come here not only to appreciate and enjoy the beauties, but also to get a lot of new sensations. After all, here is one of the most terrible entertainments in the world, namely the largest glass bridges, viewing platforms and paths that allow you to walk along the very edge of the abyss.

Chinese attractions

Hunan province is located in the southeast of the Celestial Empire with the most unusual corners in the world. This is a real pearl of nature - Zhangjiajie National Park, which is both a botanical and geological reserve. Among the attractions are the high cliffs of Wulingyuan, Tianmen Mountain, Shiyan Lake, the Grand Canyon and, of course, amazing glass structures.

Several glazed paths are located almost at the top of Tianmen Mountain. Previously, there was a wooden building here, but the administration of the national park decided to install transparent panels in some places to tickle the nerves of everyone. The first structure with a width of about 150 cm and a floor thickness of 6 cm was built at an altitude of 1400 m above sea level back in 2011. At the time, it was the tallest glass bridge in China.

To enhance the experience, special LCD screens were installed on some panels, which, when stepping on this section of the transparent floor, simulated the destruction of glass, which caused a strong reaction from visitors.

writhing dragon

This was the name of the third trail, officially opened here in August 2016. Its length is 100 m, and the only support of the structure is a sheer cliff. Only a low ledge separates from the abyss and it seems that if you move carelessly, you can break off. Even the caretakers claim that there are frequent cases when visitors overestimate their capabilities. As a result, the “dared souls”, having stepped on the structure, are afraid to look down, try to grab onto a fairly smooth rock, or simply faint in the middle of the attraction. Only a few dare to come close to the transparent fence.

Test for heroes

In China, another great test of courage was an ambitious 2015 project designed to boost tourism to the country. This 3-layer reinforced glass building was built in place of an old dilapidated wooden structure in an ecological park at an altitude of about 150 m between the islands of Shiyan Lake. For the construction, panels 3 cm thick were used, while each can withstand a weight of 6 tons. The total length of the glass bridge is 300 m, and the spans of glass are 200 m. According to the test results, the structure is reliable and safe. At the same time, it can accommodate 1,200 visitors.

road in the clouds

One of the longest and highest glass bridges in the world, built at a height of about 300 m between mountain cliffs above the Zhangjiajie Canyon, in September 2016 set 10 world records at once. It is 430 m long and 6 m wide. The structure consists of steel cables, a fence and a floor consisting of 99 5 cm thick slabs. Designed by Israeli architect Chaim Dotan, the construction cost $3.4 million. At the same time, up to 600 people can stand on the heavy-duty glazed structure, and about 8,000 can visit a day, although there are so many people who want it that it is advisable to book a ticket in advance.

The developers have tested for strength, safety and claim that the design can withstand strong gusts of wind and vibration. At the grand opening, to confirm the reliability of the structure, they beat it with sledgehammers, and even a car weighing 2 tons passed by. A bungee-japing site will be opened here.

In another Chinese tourist area, a large glass platform was opened in 2015 at an altitude of 1,120 m above sea level, while the depth of the gorge reaches 700 m. The length of the structure is almost 27 m. About 200 visitors can simultaneously admire the scenery from any angle on the building .

Although the creators guarantee that the glass structure can withstand up to 800 kg per 1 m², the bridge in the Yongtaishan Mountains still crashed.

air trail

In the mountains of Yuntaishan, a U-shaped glass path was opened several years ago at an altitude of more than 1,000 m. An unpleasant incident occurred here. Due to the fault of one of the tourists, who dropped the steel thermos, the glass floor cracked. All visitors were urgently evacuated, so no one was hurt.

Observation deck

In 2016, on the territory of the famous Shilin stone forest, which is considered one of the wonders of the world, a glass structure in the form of an observation deck was located at an altitude of 400 m above the ground. The total area of ​​the building is 415 m², the width is about 3 m, and the length is about 50 m. Beautiful views of the valley and the opportunity to take a unique selfie attract thousands of thrill-seekers.

The longest glass structure

Engineers did not stop there and at the end of 2017 presented to the world the longest to date, a glass bridge built between two sheer cliffs at a height of 218 m in Hebei province. The structure, 488 m long and 2 m wide, took 1.5 years to build. It consists of 1,077 panels 4 cm thick. The length is 218 m, and the total weight is about 70 tons. At one time, up to 3,000 people can be here, but so far no more than 500-600 visitors are allowed on it. Architects ensure that the structure is resistant to storms (12 points) and earthquakes (6 points). The building offers a beautiful view, and when people pass through the center, it sways slightly, causing an unforgettable experience. It is undeniably something breathtaking.

Glass bridges of the world

But not only China is famous for its amazing glass buildings. So, in the very heart of the British capital, in the pedestrian part of the famous Tower Bridge, built back in 1894, at a height of 44 meters, glass panels are installed in the floor sections, through which beautiful panoramas open up.

In the 21st century, the first glazed bridge was built in the capital of Austria. This structure consists of panels measuring 2x5 m and a steel frame. Thanks to the connection with the help of invisible fasteners, a feeling is created that a single structure, transparent from all sides, is floating in the air. Inside there is a restaurant, which is illuminated with blue light in the evening.

In the US, David Ginopadus and Mark Ross Johnson installed the Skypath site in northwestern Arizona over one of the world's deepest canyons. Initially, it was planned to install a simple rectangular path, but as a result, the horseshoe-shaped structure was removed from the edge of the mountain by 20 m. The height under the transparent floor 10 cm thick is more than 1,200 m. the design withstands loads up to 70 tons, winds up to 160 km/h and earthquakes up to 8 points. At once, 120 or more visitors to the Sky Walk can admire the beauty of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River.

Glass and spectacular lighting are increasingly used in contemporary architectural creations around the world. So, in the UAE, a Formula 1 track was built, and a hotel was built nearby. The roofs of the two buildings were connected by a glass canopy with built-in diode lamps, and the buildings were connected by a small bridge, under which a racing track passes. The Bridge of Peace, lined with glass panels, with a large canopy roof, has also been erected in Tbilisi. It has become a bright landmark of Georgia.

Glass bridges in Moscow

The Soaring Bridge has recently appeared in the capital of Russia. A V-shaped building with a transparent fence was erected over the Moskva River in Zaryadye Park. Its length is 244 m, the outreach of the cantilever part is 70 m. It rises 15 m above the water. At the same time, up to 4,000 people can stand on the building, which can withstand a load of more than 240 tons. The unique architectural structure is one of the best viewing platforms in the capital.

In the south of China, another eerie glass bridge has opened over a cliff, along which only the most daring and courageous tourists pass along the cliff to the mountainside indented with caves.

The Wriggling Dragon Bridge, which leads to Mount Tianmen, opened to the public on August 1. The length of the glass path is 100 meters, the width is just over one and a half meters. Before the views of tourists opens a truly dizzying view of the valley on the other side of the mountain range. The bridge hangs at a height of 1500 meters above the ground. This is the third such bridge on the same mountain. More recently, it was an ordinary wooden path.

This mountainous area is very popular among tourists due to its incredible natural scenery, as well as a relatively new attraction - glass bridges.

The pictures show how the first visitors of the opened bridge carefully walk along the mountain, holding on to the wall, some try not to look down through the transparent floor and over the railing.

The first glass bridge in the mountains of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park opened in November 2011 and has been attracting tourists ever since to experience what it's like to walk along the very edge of the abyss. The glass floor was then only 2.5 inches (6 cm) thick, and visitors were visibly nervous when they stepped on it.

The second glass bridge across the canyon in the national park opened in May this year. Its construction was reported to have cost approximately $3.5 million.

For those who want sensations sharper, here you can jump into the abyss with a bungee.

Now glass bridges are a popular trend in China. Usually local authorities perceive them as an opportunity to increase the influx of tourists. These ambitious projects are usually bridges, cliff paths or lookouts.

Below are the five most popular glass bottom designs in China.

The observation deck with a glass floor is located on the territory of the famous Shilin stone forest, 70 kilometers from Beijing. Its height is 400 meters above the ground, and its area is 415 square meters. It opened in May 2016.

A glass bridge 300 meters above the Zhangjiajie Canyon in Hunan province was due to open in July 2016. Its length is 430 meters, height is about 300 meters.

"Hero's Bridge" runs 180 meters above the ground and is located in the Shinyuzhai National Park in Hunan Province. It opened last fall.

The Yongtai Mountain Trail is 260 meters long and passes over 1,000 meters above the ground. It also opened in September 2015.

Yunduan glass observation deck is located at an altitude of more than 700 meters above the ground. It opened in the summer of 2015.

Here is a short video about how tourists manage to walk on such bridges. Spoiler alert: they are a little anxious.