China has opened the record-breaking Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in Guizhou province — now the highest bridge on Earth — dramatically cutting the travel time across the canyon from two hours to just two minutes. Soaring 625 meters above the ground and stretching 1,420 meters in length, the engineering marvel stands as a testament to China’s rapid infrastructure innovation.

The bridge, which took over three years to complete, connects Qianxinan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture with Anshun City, forming a crucial part of the 190-km Shantian–Puxi Expressway. Officials say it will transform regional transport, boost local economies, and foster development across the mountainous region.

At its opening ceremony, Guizhou’s Transport Department head Zhang Yin said, “This project marks a huge leap in connectivity and economic growth for the region. Travel that once took hours can now be done in minutes.”

The bridge surpasses the Beipanjiang Bridge (565m) to become the world’s tallest, while also claiming the record for the largest span ever built in mountainous terrain — stretching a total of 2,890 meters. Nearly half of the world’s top 100 tallest bridges are now located in Guizhou, highlighting the province’s global engineering prowess.

Weighing over 22,000 tonnes — three times heavier than the Eiffel Tower — the bridge’s structure was assembled from 93 steel truss segments. The project also introduced cutting-edge construction technologies such as BeiDou satellite positioning, Doppler lidar systems, and digital assembly, securing 21 patents in the process.

Engineers faced significant challenges, including high-altitude construction and powerful canyon winds. Innovations developed here — particularly in wind resistance and high-altitude design — have now been adopted into China’s national building standards.

During safety tests in August, 96 trucks were positioned across the bridge to verify its strength. The structure passed with flying colours, paving the way for its official inauguration attended by local officials and ethnic communities.

The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge not only sets a new world record but also symbolizes China’s growing dominance in large-scale infrastructure — bringing remote regions closer and redefining what’s possible in modern bridge design.