Written by Catherine |
Also known as Yuntiandu Glass Bridge, Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge in China is the longest and highest glass bridge in the world. This bridge stretches over the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, and the two ends connect the cliffs, presenting an awe-inspiring view. In a word, Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge is a must-visit attraction on your Zhangjiajie tours, and never miss the exciting bungee jumping there.
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- Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge Facts
- Overview of Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
- What to See and Do on Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
- More Adventures You Can Expect in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
- How to Tour Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
- Tips for Touring Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
- Best Time to Visit Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
- How to Get to Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
- Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge vs. Tianmen Mountain Glass Skywalk
- Attractions nearby Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
- FAQs about Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
- Explore Zhangjiajie’s Natural Wonders with China Xian Tour
Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge Facts
- Location: South of Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon in Zhangguansi Town, Cili County, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province
- Length: 536 meters (1758 feet)
- Span: 430 meters (1,410 feet)
- Width: 6 meters (20 feet)
- Height: 300 meters (984 feet)
- Start date of construction: November 14, 2014
- Completion date:August 20, 2016
- Opening Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
- Ticket:CNY 178 per person (including entrance fees for Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge and Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon)
Fun Facts about Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
- The bridge deck consists of 99 pieces of glass, each 4.42 meters long, 3.01 meters wide, 5 centimeters thick and 1.5 tons heavy.
- Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge is also known as “Yuntiandu”,which is interpreted as a bridge to cross the world.
- There are also swings, ziplines, runways, wire walking, and other multipurpose features at Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge.
√ Related reading: Zhangjiajie Facts
Overview of Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge is the first cross-canyon glass bridge that adopts a cable-stayed structure, advanced composite materials, and seismic reduction technology to make it stable. Besides, the glasses applied are tested to be safe enough.
The construction of Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge was started in 2014 by a group of talented engineers, of whom the average age was 28 at that time. They conquered many difficulties, including the complicated terrain, materials selection, wind resistance, and more. Finally, this glass-bottomed bridge in Zhangjiajie was completed in August 2016.
Equipment and facilities
The supporting facilities of Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge include visitor center, toilet, parking lot, walkway, stand, water supply and power system, sign system and so on. Ancillary facilities include bungee jumping, a skip-line platform and handrails.
The bungee jumping and cabling platforms are suspended under the stiffened beams by rigid boom, and are arranged symmetrically in the span of the bridge. The plane line of the bridge deck guardrail adopts the wavy design, and the lateral inclination Angle of the column in each railing is different. And the maximum inclination Angle is close to 20 degrees.
What to See and Do on Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
Marvel at the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
As the longest and highest glass bridge in the world, the glass bridge greets tourists with a glass-bottomed and transparent skywalk and charming views. Standing on the bridge, you will marvel at the stunning scenery of the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. Visit there after the rain, you will find that walking on Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge is like walking in the sky with the clouds and mists surrounding you.
Top Zhangjiajie Private Tours including Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge:
Bungee Jump from Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
In the middle of the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge seats one of the world’s largest and highest bungee jump platforms, which is 260 meters high, and one needs to be brave enough to stand there. After you get ready, you will free-fall to the 60-meter sky in 5 seconds and then rebound several times, which is really exhilarating. By the way, if it’s your first time to try bungee jumping on your travel to Zhangjiajie, just follow the coach’s words, be brave, and the experience must be unforgettable.
Take Breathtaking Photos
Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge in China is a skywalk hanging in the air with mountains and forests surrounding it, which makes it a great place for photography. Standing up high on the glass bridge, you will have a bird’s eye view of the grand canyon, and don’t hesitate to take pictures of it. Besides, take thrilling photos of yourself when touring Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, and it must be a beautiful memory on your Zhangjiajie tours.
Hiking at the Bottom of Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
After an exciting walk on the glass bridge, you can also take a hike along the canyon floor if your time permits. The wooden boardwalk is about 2.5–3 km long (expect a 1-hour or slightly longer trip) and you’ll be amazed by shocking scenery like clear streams and sandstone cliffs.
Along the way, you’ll be like walking into a wonderland, which is created by waterfalls, lush vegetation, and a misty atmosphere. The hike ends at a small reservoir with a short boat ride.
Explore Other Attractions in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
Except for Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, there are many other attractions in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. You can experience the sightseeing elevator, hike the board walkway, take a boat ride on Rainbow Lake, and marvel at the magnificent waterfalls. Besides, you can also try other exciting projects there, such as zip lining and sliding.
Related reading: Glass-bottomed Bridges & Skywalks in Zhangjiajie
More Adventures You Can Expect in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
Beyond the glass bridge at the canyon, here are other adventure activities visitors can expect in the same scenic area:
High-Altitude Zipline
The canyon has six sets of 12 reciprocating high-altitude zip lines, and they in total stretch about 358 m, with a vertical drop of ~302 m.
One-Line Sky Slide
A thrilling skid/slideway experience is offered in the canyon one-way route (slide down from elevation). And it allows visitors to descend along a smooth path built into the mountain slope, and it is believed to give thrill and fun for all ages.
Via Ferrata
Cliff-wall climbing path with steel handrails, foot-rests and cable system installed on vertical rock walls, enabling non-professional climbers to “ride” the cliff face.
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Elevators
There are sightseeing elevators in the canyon area which help ascend/descend the steep terrain and link different levels of the canyon walk. Mentioned in the “Explore Other Attractions” section of your original draft.
These additional activities enrich the visitor experience and highlight how the canyon isn’t just about the bridge itself but about a full environment of adventure.
How to Tour Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
There are overall three routes to explore Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, and Route B is perfect and recommended to tour the glass bridge.
Route B: Entrance – Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge – East Bridge Experience Center – (Enjoying Flying VR – Zip Lining – A Strip of Sky Slideway) or (Enjoying Flying VR – Sightseeing Elevator – Treasure Hunt Elevator – Sculptural Elevator or Wuwangpo Slideway) – Rainbow Square – Dark Cave – Shenquan Lake Cruise – Exit
It takes about 4 hours to explore Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge. You can book a ticket in advance if you choose Route B, as there are several tourism projects. Just note that this is a one-way tour. If you store your luggage at the entrance, you need to take a shuttle bus to the entrance after your tour to get back your luggage. By the way, you can choose to descend by elevator or slideway.
Recommended Tours from Beijing to Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge:
- 3 Days Zhangjiajie Highlight Tour from Beijing by Air
- 6 Days Best Beijing – Zhangjiajie Adventure Tour
Tips for Touring Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
- You can take a cell phone and a small bag with you. Pets, cups, cameras, iPads, and other electronics are not allowed when touring Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge.
- The scenic area offers luggage storage services at the entrance. The fee varies depending on the size of your luggage. Generally, CNY 5 will be charged for a small one and CNY 10 for a large one.
- The Yuntiandu Bridge is limited to 8,000 people per day and may be closed in case of extreme weather such as a huge rain storm.
- Make sure your body and mind are in good condition for walking on the glass bridge.
- Visitors who are silk or wear high heels are not allowed on the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge.
- No chasing or fighting on the bridge.
Related reading: The Longest Bridges in China
Best Time to Visit Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
Spring and autumn are the best time to tour Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, when temperature is pleasant, air is fresh and mist and clouds are less, so it is suitable to appreciate the blossoming flowers and red leaves around. Photographers can not miss it.
While in summer and winter, due to the rain, heavy fog and snow, the glass bridge may be temporarily closed. So if you plan to visit in these two seasons, remember to check the opening status before departure.
How to Get to Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
As Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge is located in the south Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, you need to get to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon first. Take a plane or train to Zhangjiajie, and then make your way to Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station and take a bus to Wulingyuan Bus Station. From there, take a bus to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge.
What’s more, if you want to travel to Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge after you tour Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, you can take a bus to Wulingyuan Bus Station and then shift to a bus toward Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon.
Recommended Tours from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge:
- 3 Days Zhangjiajie Highlights Tour from Shanghai
- 5 Days Shanghai – Zhangjiajie Classic Tour
- 6 Days Best Shanghai– Zhangjiajie Private Tour
Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge vs. Tianmen Mountain Glass Skywalk
Both attractions offer thrilling glass-walk experience, but still you can are some key differences between them:
- The canyon bridge spans between cliffs, and that’s why many would say walking on it literally feels like walking in the air. It suspends300 m above the ground, longer and higher (at its opening) than many other
- The Tianmen Mountain glass skywalks is clungto the cliff face rather than span a gap between two cliffs. And the longest one is about 100 m long and 1.5–6 m wide.
- The experience differs: on the canyon bridge you can actually feelwalking “across” the canyon vs. on Tianmen you walk along the edge of a mountain ridge/cliff.
- If you want more thrills, thenthe canyon bridge is more For a more relaxed or less vertigo-intense experience, then choose the Tianmen skywalks.
Attractions nearby Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
- Yellow Dragon Cave:Located 17 kilometers from Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, this area is a marvelous spectacle of karst landform in Zhangjiajie. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with numerous stalactites and stalagmites of different sizes and shapes.
- Tianzi Mountain:Featuring huge rock formations and stone pillars, this is one of the best places to appreciate the scenery in Zhangjiajie for its terrain. You can visit there after you tour Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge.
- Suoxi Valley:Located in the northeast of the Wulingyuan scenic area, this place greets visitors with stunning scenery. Besides, the mountains and rivers there are always covered by the cloud and mist, which creates a beautiful picture.
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park:Located near Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is the first national forest park in China, and it is home to sky-piercing mountains and peaks of different shapes. Famous sites such as Golden Whip Stream and Yuanjiajie are significant parts of it.
FAQs about Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge
Are tickets for the Glass Bridge included in the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon ticket?
It depends on the ticket type you buy. There are two options, buy the ticket of glass bridge separately, which is CNY 128, or buy a joint ticket including both the Grand Canyon and glass bridge, which will be CNY 216 per person.
How long does it take to cross the Glass Bridge?
Usually, it takes about 20 – 40 minutes to pass through, but if you want to take more pictures or experience the high-altitude projects, more than one hour is needed.
What scenic views can I see from the bridge?
On the bridge, you can see the steep cliffs with exposed red quartz sandstone intertwined with old vines on both sides, the winding stream beneath the bridge, luxuriant vegetation of the primitive forests and waterfalls around you. Under the glass bridge is the world’s highest bungee jumping platform, so you can also overlook the thrilling moments of the challengers on the bridge.
Is it safe to walk across the glass bridge?
Yes. The bridge uses multi-layer tempered glass panels and has passed strict load and wind tests. However, visitors with heart disease, vertigo, or mobility issues should avoid it. And it may close during severe weather.
Is the glass bridge in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park?
No. It’s located in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, a place separate from the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
Explore Zhangjiajie’s Natural Wonders with China Xian Tour
Zhangjiajie is one of the best places for people to enjoy the natural beauty. No matter what kind of activity you want to experience, China Xian Tour is always here, preparing to give you the best customized Zhangjiajie tour. We’ll fulfill all your expectations about this city while also taking care of every detail along this way. Contact us now and prepare for you incredible Zhangjiajie exploration.
