Long glass bridge in China. Zhangjiajie glass bridge. Different from ZhangjiajieTianmen mountain glass sky walk

IN Lately The Chinese love to build glass. In 2016, several walking trails over the abyss opened, as well as a similar bridge, but of a shorter length and size. Cracks formed on one of the trails two weeks later.

Chinese tourists are not afraid of anything, and crowds of people have already appeared on the new attraction. Before the opening, it was tested with a sledgehammer for strength, which means that the bridge should not collapse: you can risk your life to walk on it and take stunning selfies.

Wang Ming, one of the visitors: I wanted some inspiration. I'm not sick - the bridge seems safe!

The bridge is located in the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in the urban district of the same name, in Hunan province. This is the same park with sandstone pillars that inspired James Cameron to film Avatar.

The bridge is 430 meters long, six wide, made of 99 glass panels and hangs over a precipice at a level of 290 meters. Construction cost $3.4 million. The author of the project, Israeli architect Haimn Dotan, initially refused the order.

Chaim: The customer asked me: “What do you think if we build a bridge from here to here? I answered: "No." He looked at me and said, “Why? What are you even talking about?" I asked again: “Why the bridge? It is very beautiful in here. [He'll ruin the look]." The customer kept pushing, and I agreed: “Okay, let's build a bridge, but on one condition. I want it to be made of glass and not be seen.

The bridge had to be six meters wider: the customer wanted to hold fashion shows on it, as well as organize bungee jumps. The white cables holding the structures in the air should also be more massive.

Chaim insisted on his own: No way. The bridge must be invisible.

The project took three years to complete. The bridge was made light and strong. The design is able to withstand wind gusts up to 100 m/s. The design engineers were satisfied.

Chaim: They told me that the bridge was as thin as a feather and as light as a breath of air. My God, can you imagine techies describing a bridge like that?!

On the opening day, 8,000 tourists immediately came to the park to test the strength of the bridge. People ran and jumped on the bridge, sat on the twine and did other acrobatic stunts. And, of course, selfies.

In fact, bridges with glass inserts, through which dizzying views open up, are found not only among creations modern architecture. It would seem that it is possible to imagine something more reliable and solid than the Tower Bridge in London, a symbol of the Victorian era and prosperity. 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, the top two pedestrian bridge they sell tickets and they don't always let them in.

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 big size(2 × 5 m) was 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 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 about 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. Whatever you say, 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 a height 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. "Bridge in the Clouds" will stretch over the Chinese version grand canyon(you did not doubt that they have it?) and will consist of 99 glass plates 5 cm thick.

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 design of the park in Zaryadye, above which in this moment is 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 scenery are also very attractive.

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.

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 appearance.

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.

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 the 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 external, 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

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 won't believe it, but not so long ago a guide led 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 in order to a large number of tourists visited such a frightening attraction.

China surprises the whole world with its ability to create masterpieces with the epithet "the most". Tall, large, numerous, long - you will find everything in China. A special topic is the construction of bridges and tunnels. Even the famous Great Wall- promenade option mountain ranges. glass bridge in China, made of heavy-duty material, it won the title of "fearlessness attraction". The latest masterpiece once again forced the whole world to recognize that this country is curious not only for its traditions of oriental identity, but also for its unique ability to combine them with modern achievements in science and technology.

Ahead of Europe: a transparent bridge in China

The construction of structures in this "country of the Celestial Empire" has both a practical, utilitarian, and aesthetic, decorative purpose. The most ancient, unusual, long, exotic, wide bridges were built in this amazing country. And they partially serve to solve really practical problems. Such complex interchanges and multi-lane highways and bridges, as in Beijing, are rarely seen anywhere. At the same time, in the tropical island of Hainan, bridges are widely used to decorate parks and hotel areas. Glass bridge in China currently under construction, tribute modern technologies and proof of the entrepreneurial spirit of the craftsmen, but time will tell whether this material is appropriate.

First arch bridges appeared in 610. Europe, only eight centuries later, approached those technologies of antiquity that were used in the construction in ancient China in 610. This bridge, built in Hebei Province, has survived ten floods and earthquakes and has survived in its original form to this day. This is a kind of monument, like a modern glass bridge in China, to the ingenuity of craftsmen. But more on that later.

China: the bridge of the future

A true masterpiece being built between Hong Kong and China, the Pearl River Necklace Bridge by NL Architects claims to be the "world's most humane bridge". It makes it possible for any type of car to comfortably change lanes to the lane option that is required: for Hong Kong it is the right side, for China it is the left side of the traffic. Moreover, the road tape itself changes places, and the driver does not have to make additional maneuvers. The project is also interesting for its design solution. It is planned to be completed by 2016. The author of this project is a Dutch company, and it was developed as part of a competition proclaimed by the Chinese side.

Glass Bridge of Fear

Transparent bridge in China made of heavy-duty material built in nature park Zhangjiajie. Extraordinary "avatar" beauty mountain range used by enterprising Chinese to attract tourists, and it is worth recognizing that the idea has fully justified itself. The glass bridge in China also serves as an observation deck, which offers not only panoramic views of the mountains, but also no less picturesque scenes under the feet of desperate tourists. This "fearless attraction" 60 meters long and at an altitude of 1430 meters, on the mountain "Heaven's Gate" (Tianmen) gained popularity immediately after the opening. Crowds of guests visit the glass bridge in China. Photos taken as a keepsake will be a good advertisement for thrill-seekers.

The most transparent bridge

Where is he located? In the south of China, in the province of Hunan, a suspension glass bridge was built in the mountains. At an altitude of 180 meters, you can walk along modern building 300 meters long, connecting two rocks of the mountain range. The ability to imagine that 36 mm (three layers of heavy-duty glass) separates from the abyss when you walk almost through the air is a great premise to think about the fact that life is unique and fragile! To confirm the strength and in order to draw attention to the transparent bridge in China, a whole group of volunteers was brought out. Thus, they are connected to modern world shows, technology and simple human curiosity.

Transparent bridge - a symbol of trust

Suspension transparent bridge attracted the attention of the whole world. This "fragile" structure connects two cliffs and has the commercial purpose of an observation deck.

The bridge is humane because its purpose is to unite. The glass bridge in China you see here will be able to withstand enough foot traffic, as evidenced by a group of volunteers who testify to the strength of the structure.

Since climbing this particular bridge does require a certain amount of courage, a dedicated attendant is provided to help visitors cope with fear.

Everything that in the world serves people, their needs and aesthetic pleasure is worthy of attention and implementation in practice. The theme of bridges connecting coasts and continents, helping people overcome relief obstacles, is a confirmation of this. The combination of utility and aesthetics is the main principle of architectural projects.

In the south of China, another eerie glass bridge has opened over a cliff, along which only the most daring and courageous tourists pass along the cliff to the mountainside indented with caves.

The Wriggling Dragon Bridge, which leads to Mount Tianmen, opened to the public on August 1. Length glass path- 100 meters, width - just over one and a half meters. Before the views of tourists opens a truly dizzying view of the valley on the other side of the mountain range. The bridge hangs at a height of 1500 meters above the ground. This is the third such bridge on the same mountain. More recently, it was an ordinary wooden path.

This Mountain landscape very popular among tourists due to its incredible natural scenery, as well as a relatively new attraction - glass bridges.

The pictures show how the first visitors of the opened bridge carefully walk along the mountain, holding on to the wall, some try not to look down through the transparent floor and over the railing.

The first glass bridge in the mountains of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park opened in November 2011 and has been attracting tourists ever since to experience what it's like to walk along the very edge of the abyss. The glass floor was then only 2.5 inches (6 cm) thick, and visitors were visibly nervous when they stepped on it.

The second glass bridge over the canyon in national park opened in May this year. Its construction was reported to have cost approximately $3.5 million.

For those who want sensations sharper, here you can jump into the abyss with a bungee.

Now glass bridges are a popular trend in China. Usually local authorities they are perceived as an opportunity to increase the influx of tourists. These ambitious projects are usually bridges, cliff paths or lookouts.

Below are the five most popular glass bottom designs in China.

An observation deck with a glass floor is located on the territory of the famous stone forest Shilin is 70 kilometers from Beijing. Its height is 400 meters above the ground, and its area is 415 square meters. It opened in May 2016.

A glass bridge 300 meters above the Zhangjiajie Canyon in Hunan province was due to open in July 2016. Its length is 430 meters, height is about 300 meters.

"Hero's Bridge" runs 180 meters above the ground and is located in the Shinyuzhai National Park in Hunan Province. It opened last fall.

The Yongtai Mountain Trail is 260 meters long and passes over 1,000 meters above the ground. It also opened in September 2015.

glass Observation deck Yunduan is located at an altitude of more than 700 meters above the ground. It opened in the summer of 2015.

Here, short video about how tourists manage to walk on such bridges. Spoiler alert: they are a little anxious.