China is once again setting global records in engineering, with the construction of the Huajiang Gorge Bridge in Guizhou Province—soon to be the highest bridge in the world. Once completed, the bridge’s deck will soar 625 meters (over 2,050 feet) above the valley floor, redefining what’s possible in bridge construction.
Spanning an impressive 2,890 meters in total length with a main span of 1,420 meters, the massive steel truss suspension bridge is being built across the dramatic landscape of the Huajiang Gorge, sometimes referred to as the “Earth Rift.” This remote, mountainous region, located north of Vietnam, poses extreme construction challenges, making the project’s progress even more remarkable.
Construction began on January 18, 2022, and the bridge is scheduled for completion by June 30, 2025—an ambitious timeline given the scale and complexity of the project. When finished, the bridge will drastically cut travel time across the gorge from up to two hours to just one minute, forming a crucial part of a new expressway designed to boost economic activity and tourism in the region.
According to CNN, about half of the world’s 100 highest bridges are already located in Guizhou Province, cementing the area’s reputation as a leader in high-altitude infrastructure. Upon completion, the Huajiang Gorge Bridge will surpass the Beipanjiang Bridge, currently the world’s highest at 565 meters—also in Guizhou.
While it will claim the title of the highest bridge, the Huajiang Bridge will not be the tallest structure overall—that honor still belongs to France’s Millau Viaduct, whose tallest pier stands at 343 meters (taller than the Eiffel Tower). Nevertheless, the Huajiang Gorge Bridge is an extraordinary achievement in its own right: its 22,000 tons of steel girders weigh nearly three times as much as the Eiffel Tower itself.
This record-breaking project is a testament to China’s engineering ambition and the nation’s continued investment in connecting even its most remote regions to foster growth and development.