Perhaps the world’s longest glass bridge had its ribbon cutting ceremony recently in the Zhangjiajie region of China. China not being one to shirk architectural challenges, revealed the nearly invisible bridge that traverses a canyon and two cliffs in the thick of a mountainous region also known as Avatar National Park. And while some pedestrians might think twice before crossing and looking down into a steep drop below, it’s been hailed as the latest of design innovations to take on glass as the primary source material.
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge features glass panels and metal beam supports. Photo courtesy of Haim Dotan.
Rendered by Tel Aviv-based architect Haim Dotan, the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge is nearly invisible in the air with its glass panels, metal support beams, and white walkway. It’s being hailed as the longest pedestrian bridge in existence. And it can support up to 800 pedestrians at a time.
For its part, the bridge rests 300 meters above the ground, a steep drop for anyone afraid of heights. But for all the visitors clamoring to get those spectacular unparalleled views from above of the Zhangjiajie Canyon, no other vantage point in China offers such fare. Dotan was well aware of this when he undertook the architectural challenge.
“It will create an experience of being in pure nature while suspended in mid-air, between heaven and earth, like a bird with its wings open wide,” he said in a recent interview with Dezeen.
The glass structure is only the latest in a wellspring of recent design structures that utilize glass as the main design element. South London plans to open a glass swimming pool suspended above the ground for example.
The Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Bridge was briefly open to the public for 13 days, ready to strike fear in the hearts of people suffering from fear of heights or inspire the adventurers hoping to walk amidst the clouds. However, demand has been so great to traverse the glass structure that the park has been forced to close the bridge temporarily. Normally it can accommodate up to 8000 visitors a day. But given its popularity upon opening, the park estimates nearly 10 times that amount frequented the bridge.
