NOTE : Earlier I had published the details of this Bridge under "Chinese Engineering ". The same bridge terrifies the tourists.
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A bridge too far: Terrified tourists struggle to walk across China's new glass-bottom walkway suspended 600 FEET above the ground
- New glass-bottomed suspension bridge has opened today at Shiniuzhai Geopark in Hunan, central China
- It's the world's longest glass-bottomed walkway at 984 foot long and is 590 foot above the canyon below
- 11 engineers were involved in transforming bridge from a normal wooden one into the new construction
A
group of brave tourists learnt the meaning of vertigo the hard way as
they became the first visitors to cross a new 590 foot high
glass-bottomed suspension bridge in China.
This spectacular structure, the first of its kind in the world, is situated in the province of Hunan, reported People's Daily Online.
Images
have emerged online showing the visitors gripped with fear and frozen
in awe while standing on the see-through walkway. One female tourist is
seen clutching to the handrail tightly and had to be dragged along by
her friend.
A spectacular new glass-bottomed
suspension bridge has now opened. The first images from its opening
today showed terrified tourists
The glass bridge was said to wobble
slightly when people walked across it, adding to the fear-factor of the
already frightening ordeal
Tourists have to walk 984 foot to
cross the bridge from one side to the over. Below them is a 590 foot
steep drop the canyon floor
Many people's faces were gripped by
fear as they tried not to look down to the steep drop below with only
each other for comfort
It is the world's first glass-bottomed
bridge and it also currently the world's longest glass walkway
according to Chinese media reports
The
bridge had previously been a wooden overpass that linked two peaks of
Stone Buddha Mountain in Shiniuzhai Geopark but is now a 984 foot long
glass walkway.
Part of the bridge had already been replaced with a glass cutout in 2014, attracting hoards of fearless tourists.
However,
11 engineers have been working on the bridge over the last few months
to replace all the wooden planks with glass panes, transforming the
bridge into the world's first glass-bottomed suspension bridge.
According to reports, several visitors were so terrified that they could barely move.
Some were seen holding on to each other as well as to the railings as they made the crossing.
Many people were gripped by fear as they tried not to look down to the steep drop below.
The bridge was said to wobble slightly when people walked across it, adding to the fear-factor of the frightening ordeal.
However, as part of the scenic site, it also offered incredible views over the geopark and the landscape below.
The amazing construction has already been dubbed 'hero bridge' because of the amount of courage required to cross it.
Those worried about the safety of the bridge can rest easy.
The
glass panes forming the footpath are said to be 25 times stronger than
regular window glass. They're also created to stay in shape and
withstand impact although special footwear has been issued to visitors.
This bridge had previously been a
wooden overpass that linked two peaks of Stone Buddha Mountain in the
scenic Shiniuzhai Geopark
Bridge engineers have promised safety.
The glass panes forming the footpath are said to be 25 times stronger
than regular window glass
These double glass panes are also created to stay in shape and withstand impact. Visitors have been issues with special footwear
In recent years, glass-bottomed walkways have become incredibly popular for Chinese thrill-seekers.
More and more tourism sites are constructing viewing platforms over steep vertical drops to attract visitors.
Most
recently, a glass elevator opened at a scenic site in Hubei, central
China, to allow visitors to reach the peak of the mountain quicker.
The elevator was situated next to a cliff-face and was a staggering 3,543 feet above sea level.
When visitors reach the top, they could walk along a glass-bottomed walk way along the cliff to further admire the views.
Earlier
this year, a viewing platform in Chongqing, south-western China, became
the world's longest cantilever walkway with a glass bottom.
It's a breath-taking 2,356 feet drop to the ground below.
Another
bridge is currently under construction in Zhangjiajie, Hunan. It will
be an astounding 984 feet above the canyon it's built over.
The 1,247 foot long bridge will be able to accommodate 800 people at any one time when complete.
I wonder how they can pull such wonders.. with their quality..!!!
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