China has opened the world’s highest and longest glass-bottomed bridge – the latest in a series of vertigo-inducing structures which are attracting tourists from all over the world.
The bridge has 99 glass panels Credit: Xinhua/Barcroft
The 1,410ft (430 metre) bridge, which opened on Saturday, and spans across the Zhangjiajie Canyon, in Hunan province, allows visitors to peer down into the abyss through 99 triple-layered glass panels.
It crosses a canyon that is 1,000ft deepCredit: Xinhua/Barcroft
Designed by the Israeli architect Haim Dotan, the bridge leaves pedestrians suspended nearly 1,000ft (300 metres) above the canyon.
Although only open to foot-traffic, the bridge, at 20ft (6 metres) wide, is broad and strong enough to take car, a feat designers proved last month when driving a Volvo XC-90 SUV across it in order to demonstrate that the bridge was safe.
In another publicity stunt, the superior strength of the glass panels was further demonstrated by workmen pounding on them with sledgehammers.
8,000 tourists will be able to walk the bridge per day…Credit: Xinhua/Barcroft/Xinhua/Barcroft
Glass bridges and mountain walkways have become a craze in China at the moment, with social media filled with pictures of tourists posing for ‘selfie’ pictures as they brave the experience.
And of course, selfies are obligatory…Credit: Xinhua/Barcroft
The latest bridge connects two mountain cliffs in what have become known as the “Avatar mountains” after the ground-breaking sci-fi 3D film that was filmed there.
A maximum of 8,000 visitors a day will be allowed on the bridge, with park officials advising would-be guests to book to avoid disappointment.