The bridge is strong enough, there should not be any defects, it is able to withstand even a high temperature of 60 °. Does not wobble or stagger in wind speeds of 220 kilometers per hour.
The bridge is treated with care, everyone who wants to walk on it puts on shoe covers. And for people who really want to admire the beauty of the valley, but are afraid to go alone, there is a special staff that accompanies the whole way - from one peak to another.
True, the Chinese themselves are already accustomed to such bridges. The very first glass bridge was built on Tianmen Mountain. The length of courage is only 61 meters. But when you find out at what height the bridge is located, you are unlikely to agree to feel all the delights of human creation. The bridge flaunts at an altitude of 1220 meters. There are always enough people who want to, but there are more of those who are instilled with fear of heights. Many people are terrified of heights, I wonder what it was like for the builders. We hope that their work is well compensated.
You will not believe it, but not so long ago, a guide was leading a tourist group along the bridge, when suddenly cracks began to appear under his feet with a creaking sound.
The man fell to the floor and started screaming, he was scared. Interestingly, a happy, calm man walks towards him and casts an incomprehensible glance at the guide. He is not aware of what happened.
In the video you can see what is happening for yourself. People were so excited, and there were heated discussions on the net later. To reassure people, the East Taihanshan County government told the media that these were just special effects. This is such a PR move so that a large number of tourists visit such a frightening attraction.
In fact, bridges with glass inserts, through which breathtaking views open up, are found not only among the creations of modern architecture. It would seem, is it possible to imagine something more reliable and solid than the Tower Bridge in London, a symbol of the Victorian era and the prosperity of the British kingdom? However, even here the ground can slip from under your feet – if you climb the pedestrian part of the bridge at a height of 44 meters, walk to the area with a glass floor and look at the cars below. However, breathtaking panoramas of London also open up through the windows - and they are certainly worth paying a modest amount for entry here: like any attraction, tickets are sold for the two upper pedestrian bridges and not always allowed.
It is noteworthy that the entrance to the upper part of the bridge was paid from the very beginning, because the Tower "lintels", designed, like the whole structure, by Horace Jones, did not change their position at night, when the automobile part of the bridge was raised. However, zealous Londoners preferred to wait until the bridge was brought down again in order to use the free pedestrian sidewalks.
Expensive maintenance of the elevators did not pay off, and for more than 70 years the road to the top was ordered, until in 1982 an exhibition of the history of the Tower Bridge opened here, which is still open. Moreover, today's visitors have an extra bonus: a trip in a new elevator, which now also has a transparent floor.
However, a completely glass bridge was built already in the 21st century. One of the first was the Lugner Bridge in Vienna by architects Bulant & Wailzer, named after the Austrian billionaire who made his fortune in construction. And the bridge, in turn, serves as the entrance to the shopping center of the same name.
And for Austria - if not for the whole world - in 2005 it was the first time that glass panels of such a large size (2 × 5 m) could be installed on a steel frame using invisible fasteners, so that the impression of a single glass surface was created - and from all four sides.
Inside the bridge there is a restaurant popular with locals and tourists - so much so that even in the most "dead" time there is no free table here. But from the street it becomes obvious only in the evenings, when the glass "inside" is flooded with blue light.
However, if we talk about spectacular lighting, the Yas Marina complex in the UAE has become a real masterpiece in the field of lighting design. artificial island in the middle of the Persian Gulf near Abu Dhabi. In 2009, the Formula 1 track was inaugurated here - and a giant hotel built right above it, designed by Hani Rashid of the Asymptote bureau.
Two buildings of different heights are united by a huge canopy 217 meters long, reminiscent of a whale half out of the water, and this canopy consists entirely of 5800 glass panels with built-in LEDs.
Diodes are programmed from a single remote control and change color according to a given scenario - that's why the hotel makes such an indelible impression if you see it in the evening.
But no less interesting experience will, of course, be watching the races. And the best place for this - a glass bridge connecting the hotel buildings: the racing track runs right under it.
A structure with a glass curved canopy - but, of course, on a much smaller scale - was erected in 2010 in the capital of Georgia. The "Bridge of Peace" designed by the Italian Michele de Lucca appeared between the old and new Tbilisi.
We wrote in more detail about the bridge over the Mkhtari River, in which not only the "roof" is made of glass, but also the fences along the entire length. And, although the project was not approved by everyone, today the Bridge of Peace is the same city “icon” as the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, caressed by the attention of tourists.
Actually tourists, thirsty for spectacles, make up the main target audience of glass bridges. Remember the poetic names we listed at the beginning? So all these bridges really exist. For example, many of you have probably heard of Skypath over the Grand Canyon in Arizona, an observation deck designed by architect Mark Ross Johnson and opened in 2009.
This attraction is such an attraction: a bridge in the form of a half-arc, extended beyond the rocks by 20 meters, turns out to be at a height of more than 1.2 km! And this is exactly the case when both the railings and the floor are made of glass, and they are made of glass of special transparency, with protection against pollution.
To look around, so to speak, with a clear look, and feel yourself hovering over the abyss. Say what you like, but this is perhaps the most memorable way to admire the mountains - unless you are ready to put a backpack on your back, arm yourself with an ice ax and crampons and go to conquer Everest.
It is no coincidence that in China, in the south of which the mountain ranges are especially picturesque, walks in the air above the gorges are so popular. It is here, in the territory national reserve Zhangjiajie, there is the same "path of fear", located even higher than the Arizona "Sky Trail" - 1300 meters above sea level.
And again, glass is everywhere, the only support is the mountainside, along which the path leads. Those who have walked it from beginning to end claim that it was the most endless 60 meters in their lives.
I wonder what it would be like for them on the five times longer "Bold Courageous Bridge" that opened in Hunan province this fall. Last week, we — for China, this is the first bridge made entirely of glass. The builders claim that even if pedestrians start jumping on it - why jump there: even if the glass eventually breaks, nothing terrible will happen.
In general, they wanted to build the bridge from wood, but unexpectedly calculated that 24 mm thick glass panels would make the structure 25 times stronger. And now, at an altitude of 180 meters, over a picturesque gorge between two rocks, a 300-meter glass bridge stretches - thus taking away some of the glory from another bridge, which will open only six months later.
Here it was supposed to be, indeed, the longest glass bridge - and concurrently the highest: 430 meters long, almost 300 meters high. The Bridge in the Clouds will stretch over the Chinese version of the Grand Canyon (you didn't doubt they have one, did you?) and will consist of 99 2-inch-thick glass plates.
The Italian architect Chaim Dotan, who designed the "cloud road", claims that up to 800 people can be on it at the same time. And those who will still not have enough thrills after the walk will be offered to jump down from it using the “rope jumping” technique, tying a rope to themselves. To fly - so fly!
It is a pity that such picturesque gorges cannot be found near Moscow. However, there is a chance that the capital will soon have its own "floating bridge". A spectacular V-shaped structure, noticeably prominent above the Moskva River, is in the park project in Zaryadye, which is currently being developed by an international team of specialists led by the New York bureau Diller Scofidio + Renfro.
We do not know how the bridge will look in reality, but in the picture it is magnificent. And the panoramas of Zamoskvorechye, although they cannot compete with mountain landscapes, are also very attractive.
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One way or another, it would be a mistake to talk about glass bridges only in the context of viewing platforms. For example, glass bridges and galleries are increasingly found in housing estates and neighborhoods. Here they perform their direct duty - they connect different parts and levels of the complex together.
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Indicative in this sense is the Beijing project Linked Hybrid by American Steven Hall. 9 buildings (8 residential and one hotel) are interconnected at three levels at once: on the ground, underground and in the air. And these suspension bridges actually “made” the quarter, providing it with a recognizable expressive look.
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From the point of view of space organization, bridges also play a big role: for Stephen Hall, they work as a variety of public areas. There is a pool in one zone, a fitness club in another, a cafe in the third, a gallery in the fourth ... Perhaps, in this duality lies the essence of the name - Linked Hybrid, "linked hybrid". But what is especially important is that all public spaces of the complex can also be used by citizens.
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In this regard - and also in the context, of course, of glass bridges - it is impossible not to recall another project - and again in Moscow. The sensational "Garden Quarters", the design code for which was developed by Sergey Skuratov, and all the buildings were designed by prominent Russian architects, are under active construction. And with the Hall project, as it turns out, the "Garden Quarters" have a lot in common.
This is the permeability of public areas for citizens, and the use of bridges as a universal "link" between diverse and multi-level buildings and public spaces. And glass bridges are made to completely dissolve in the surroundings and not distract the eye from a rather rare collection of high-quality architecture in one place for Moscow.
Finally, you probably noticed that absolutely all the bridges in our selection are pedestrian. But believe me: the point is not at all that the glass surface will not withstand the weight of the car. It's just that glass, being part of the bridge, opens up new levels of connectivity for the pedestrian - not between points A and B, but between our inner world and the outside, between us and new impressions. Glass seems to give the bridge a third dimension that you can't see through a car window. And only when you feel the ground with your feet, you can break away from it.
Photo by Rupert Steiner, Wikimedia, Asymptote, Skuratov Architects, DS+R, Steven Holl Architects
Relatively recently, a video appeared on Chinese social networks in which the floor suddenly cracks under the feet of a man walking on a glass bridge. A man crawls away in horror, because under him there is an abyss 1180 meters deep!
The action took place on the famous glass crossing located along the Taihanshan mountain (China). Every year, hundreds of thousands of tourists go there to test their nerves. But it seemed to the administration of this attraction that people were moving too calmly on transparent glass, and they decided to "add" the thrill of sensations.
A touch panel was installed on a glass segment 430 meters long, which simulates glass cracking. When you click on it, the sensors are triggered, and an image of cracks appears. Transparent panels alternate with matte ones, so it's not clear which one is the trick.
After installing the touch panel, none of the tourists were warned, so the first person to step on the "unreliable" glass was shocked, and the crackling sound was too loud.
To prevent anyone from getting a heart attack from fright in the future, the administration released a video in which the guide demonstrated to a group of tourists that the crackling of glass was not real.
The Chinese love to surprise with breathtaking rides. They built . From gusts of wind, this structure even sways a little, so thrill-seekers can safely go there.
Several glass pedestrian bridges have been built in the city, which are of great interest to tourists and local residents. They give a delightful feeling when crossing the abyss and allow the pedestrian to test himself for courage and courage.
Glass bridges are a national hobby of the Chinese. Nowhere in the world there are so many such structures as in China. They are very popular, and their number is increasing exponentially every year.
These bridges are trending in China today. Their construction is inexpensive, and the effect of the influx of tourists quickly pays off the investment. No less in demand here glass trails over steep cliffs and viewing platforms with glass floors.
glass bridges
one) . It is located at an altitude of about 300 m, has a length of more than 400 m and can simultaneously withstand up to eight hundred people.
The glass cover of the lower part of the structure has been subjected to a huge number of pedestrian safety tests, incl. resistance to high and low ambient temperatures, their sudden changes, strong winds, etc.
Because of the glass floor, the bridge looks invisible, and pedestrians get the feeling that they are walking on air, floating in the clouds. But such a journey is beyond the power of children and people suffering from actophobia - fear of heights. They may have a nervous attack.
2) The second bridge in Hunan can be found in Zhangjiajie Park. It is called the Bridge of the Brave. It has a length of about 300 m and hangs between two hills at a height of about 180 m.
Previously, the bridge was made of wood, but gradually the interest of tourists and vacationers in the park began to fade, and a modern decision was made: to make it out of glass. First, they conducted an experiment: they covered a small part with glass.
Visitors to the park liked to walk high above the ground in the clouds, then it was decided to make the whole pedestrian walking bridge glass. Since then, it has been wildly popular.
Experts are sure that the 6 cm thick glass floor is completely safe, you can jump on it. But few people dare to take such actions. The vast majority of pedestrians move across the bridge with their eyes closed or crawling.
3) Cracking glass bridge in China near Mount Taihanshan is located at an altitude of almost 1,200 meters. In fact, the appearance of "cracks" is an attraction or a special effect, a way to once again test the courage of pedestrians.
It is important to note that an unprepared pedestrian can simply have a myocardial infarction from such a special effect. Local authorities believe that this is just a game "provocation", but continue to be criticized among the population.
But in 2015, the special effect glass actually started cracking and was removed and repaired. But after the repair, they put in “cracking” glass, explaining this by the great popularity of the attraction among the audience.
4) A new glass bridge appears in southern China, only the most courageous and reckless people will be able to pass through it. It runs around a sheer cliff at an altitude of more than 1,500 meters, called the "Wriggling Dragon" and leads to Mount Tianmen.
The length of the bridge is more than 100 meters, it is narrow - about 1.5 meters. Passing through it, pedestrians see pictures of the surrounding nature of extraordinary beauty: a valley lying below and mountains floating past a cloud.
Glass lookouts and trails
1) Near Beijing is the famous Shilin Forest. This forest is equipped with a platform with a glass floor. It has an area of more than 400 km. m, a height of more than 400 m and gives an excellent view of Shilin: huge stones mixed with trees.
2) In the south of China in the mountains, a path more than 250 meters long was opened in 2015. It is located on the steep side of the mountain, and it takes a lot of courage to walk along it, which the Chinese love to demonstrate so much.
3) The Yunduan Glass Observation Deck is over 700m high. It was opened in the summer of 2015, extends far into the abyss from the mountain cliff it is attached to, and offers viewers a magnificent view from above.
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Modern architectural possibilities allow you to create amazing buildings. One of them is the “China Sky Path”, which has been captivating the minds of its visitors for several years in a row!
Where is the glass bridge in China?
The world's longest glass bridge is located in a picturesque place - Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. This place for construction was not chosen by chance. The canyon will be able to surprise all tourists with incredible sunset and sunrise views. The height of the bridge at 300 meters can be seen through the transparent floor of the architectural wonder! This creates an optical illusion, as if you are walking on air - taking the first step can be very difficult and scary.
Zhangjiajie District Wulingyuan (zhangjiajie) - Avatar movie in the real world. This mountainous area will remind you of the landscapes of the fantastic, fictional planet "Pandora", which exists in the movie universe of the film "Avatar".
From the glass bridge you can observe the nearby nature reserves and the Tianmen mountain system. These areas are one of the first natural reserves in the world, which will allow tourists to enjoy the amazing nature preserved from the early periods of the formation of the state of China.
Description of glass bridge
Knowing how amazing and diverse China can be, a glass bridge in the mountains does not seem to be something amazing at all, but there is something to be surprised at:
- Transparent bridge height: 300 meters;
It has convenient viewing platforms and places for extreme recreation (you can jump from it with bungee jumping).
- Passage width: 6 meters.
Such a width does not introduce difficulties when moving along the bridge, and creates the feeling of the absence of sides - you just walk "on air" and nothing more.
"The glass sky of China" - this is sometimes called this architectural building of the century. This name is associated with the mythology of China. In Chinese myths, the sky is a symbol of divinity and power. The one who walks in the sky has incredible magical power.
When was it opened?
The "Glass Ride" (as it is sometimes called by the Chinese) was opened on August 20, 2016. At first, the bridge was opened in test mode - no more than 600 tourists a day and by pre-booking a ticket, but later - this measure was canceled and the bridge operates in standard mode (800 tourists per visit).
The construction took over 5 years. Several workers died during construction. Several mountains are named after them (previously they had no name), which are visible from the observation deck. Climbing the stairs to the bridge, you can find out the biographies of these workers - they are written on special memorial tablets. The stairs have comfortable handrails and a container with first aid supplies, which is located every 300 meters.
At the opening ceremony, the head of the Zhangjiajie city district solemnly cut the ribbon - this event became a national holiday for the whole country, and in Beijing they issued a personalized postage stamp in honor of the completion of construction.
Bridge length
The length is:
- 430 meters.
Almost half a kilometer in the Zhangjiajie area, a glass bridge allows you to connect two hiking trails. In itself, walking on it is an attraction that causes surprise and an unusual feeling of freedom.
Along the entire length, tourists can take pictures of themselves "floating in the air" over the abyss.
Who built it and how?
Chilling soul and eye suspension bridge was built by order of the Chinese government. The cost of the order amounted to 3.4 million dollars. The completed project set 10 world records at once!
The beginning of construction began with the installation of special (architectural) support pillars, which visually look very light - this was specially conceived by the architects. This decision allowed once again to emphasize the effect of "hovering above the ground" for tourists.
The transparent bridge has a base in the form of a steel frame. 120 walking glass panels were mounted on this frame (instead of traditional asphalt). The material for the manufacture of such panels can only be called "glass" conditionally - the material is much stronger, but has a similar transparency to glass.
However, the glass bridge in China is cracking. The fact is that recently several screens were installed in it, which imitate glass. When passing through them, holographic cracks form under the feet of tourists and a pre-recorded sound of broken glass is heard. The guide may not warn his "wards" about this, which causes real, genuine emotions of shock, but this is only part of the attraction to entertain visitors. In order for a bridge to really crack - human effort is not enough for it to crack - (if you set yourself such a task) you need to use special tools.
The thickness of the durable transparent coating of the bridge is 15 centimeters and is not inferior in strength to concrete. Walking on such a surface over the abyss is allowed.
Architecturally, the “heavenliness” of the creation is emphasized by the decorative and functional suspension elements of the steel frame, which gives an unusual appearance, and further adds to the strength of the entire structure.
Security measures
The safety measures on a glass bridge are the same as on a regular bridge, with a few exceptions:
- It is forbidden to use selfie sticks;
This precautionary measure is caused by several cases of loss of them. Tourists, for beautiful photographs, protruded them beyond the sides, a gusty wind carried away such “photo tools” from their owners under the bridge.
- Take heavy luggage with you;
Before passing, the weight of your luggage will be weighed on special scales and asked to lay out heavy items. After graduation tourist travel Items are returned to their owners. Also, this is due to the fact that in 2015 a missed thermos filled with liquid could make a microcrack at the junction of two panels. Technically, it was not really a crack, but only a detachment of one of the composite parts of the panel, which did not pose a threat to the life of visitors. However, a decision was made to ban heavy hand luggage.
- You can't walk with a cane.
The tips of the reeds can become clogged with small stones. The strength of such stones (quartz) is extremely high - they can leave scuffs and scratches.
How to get to the architectural masterpiece?
You can get there in several ways and in several stages - these are:
- By plane:
Chinese Airlines carry out regular air flights from the cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi'an, Changsha, Shenyang,.
- By train;
From any city there are trains of the usual type. It is recommended, for faster travel, to calculate your route in such a way as to travel the maximum distance on a high-speed train, and then transfer to a regular one - it's faster.
At the Zhangjiajie bus station, purchase a ticket to the Grand Canyon. Buses are equipped with air conditioning and tourist programs from guides.
Buy a ticket at the box office or present a pre-purchased ticket for admission to the tourist area, which includes the "heavenly sky".
Myths and facts about attractions
- The Chinese authorities are hiding the number of people who fell off the bridge.
It can not be true. Since the longest bridge in the world is the pride of the Chinese nation, all tourists are counted. This is done in order to improve safety and identify (at an early stage) possible problems in the design. Any interested journalist, exercising the journalist's right to information, can obtain this data at the first request to the authorities.
- "China Airway" trembles when walking.
It's true. This was done intentionally to reduce the load on the steel frame. Some note that it is from this that the “terrible” suspension bridge cracks, but this is not entirely accurate. Jitter - cushioning that allows the bridge to be more resistant to winds and to possible changes in the geological features of the area (the distance between the supports).
