Dozens of Chinese glass bridges closed amid safety concerns

2019-10-31T16:15:00-04:00

China’s growing obsession with glass bridges may be coming to an abrupt end, after a series of accidents led one province to close down all its glass-bottomed attractions. Hebei, a scenic mountainous province in northern China, has quietly closed all 32 of its glass bridges, walkways and mountain viewing platforms over the past year for safety reasons [...].

Despite being breathtaking engineering marvels, China's fascination with glass-bottom bridges hasn't been without setbacks: in August 2016, the world's highest and longest glass-bottom bridge, the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon glass bridge, opened in central Hunan province — but had to close again for safety inspections after only 13 days in operation.

Other provinces have experienced accidents, some fatal, which led to the decision to close all 32 glass bridges and walkways in Hebei province (including the terrifying 'cracking' East Taiheng Glasswalk) for safety reasons.

China's newest glass bridge breaks records

2019-08-01T16:21:00-04:00

We want to create a resort where tourists can be entertained and enjoy sports and leisure as well as health care, by integrating innovatively the elements of leisure, recreation, stimulation, amusement and health care," said Pan Zhaofu, director of the Huangguoshu Scenic Area

According to CNN Travel, China's Guizhou Province will be home to a new walkway made of glass. Measured at 1,804 feet, the new bridge is considered to be the longest glass bridge in the world, breaking the record of another famous bridge, which is also located in China.

Set to open sometime in August, the new bridge will allow visitors to walk and enjoy the views the of the Huangguoshu Scenic area.

Construction for the bridge began in March and is said to have cost an estimated $1 million to build.

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Dozens of Chinese glass bridges closed amid safety concerns

China's newest glass bridge breaks records