This collection presents the tallest bridges on Earth, measured by their clearance height above the ground or water below. Most of these structures are located in China, spanning deep gorges and river valleys across the provinces of Guizhou, Yunnan, Hubei, and Sichuan. The designs employ various construction methods including suspension bridges, cable-stayed bridges, and arch bridges. The collection also features notable high bridges in Mexico, India, and Papua New Guinea. These structures demonstrate how modern engineering overcomes difficult mountainous terrain and creates new transportation links. The bridges serve as critical infrastructure for regions previously separated by natural barriers.
Guanling Autonomous County, Guizhou, China
The Huajiang Canyon Bridge holds the world record as the highest bridge with a vertical clearance of 625 meters above the valley floor. It carries the S57 Liuzhi-Anlong Expressway across a deep gorge in Guanling Autonomous County, Guizhou Province. The bridge connects both sides of the canyon and allows traffic to cross one of the most difficult geographical formations in the region. It was built to reduce travel time between different parts of the mountainous province and support economic development.
Xuanwei, Yunnan and Shuicheng, Guizhou, China
The Beipanjiang Bridge is a cable-stayed structure that spans a gorge with a vertical clearance of 565 meters from the deck to the valley floor. This bridge links the city of Xuanwei in Yunnan Province with Shuicheng in Guizhou Province along the G56 Hangzhou-Ruili Expressway. The Beipanjiang Bridge opened to traffic in 2016 and holds the record as the highest bridge in the world based on the vertical distance from its roadway to the ground below.
Badong County, Hubei, China
The Siduhe Bridge crosses the Siduhe River at 496 meters above the valley floor, linking two mountain slopes in the mountainous area of Hubei. This suspension bridge opened in 2009 and serves as an important segment of the G50 Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway. The structure shortens travel time through the difficult terrain and establishes a direct route between provinces.
Xuanwei, Yunnan, China
The Puli Bridge is a suspension bridge in Xuanwei, Yunnan Province, carrying the G56 Hangzhou-Ruili Expressway. This structure spans a valley with a vertical clearance of 485 meters between the deck and the valley floor. The bridge connects two mountainous regions and facilitates traffic through some of the most difficult terrain in southwestern China. It forms part of the national expressway network that links eastern coastal areas with western border regions.
Lijiang, Yunnan, China
The Jin'an Bridge is a suspension bridge on the G4216 Chengdu–Lijiang Expressway in Yunnan Province. This bridge spans the valley with a clearance of 461 meters above the ground and features a main span of 1,386 meters. The structure connects the regions around Lijiang and facilitates traffic through the mountainous terrain of southwestern China. The bridge ranks among the highest structures of its kind in the world and represents an engineering solution to the topographical challenges of the region.
Qingzhen and Qianxi, Guizhou, China
The Yachi Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge that carries the S82 Guiyang–Qianxi Expressway across a valley in Guizhou Province. This bridge connects the districts of Qingzhen and Qianxi with a deck positioned 434 meters above the ground below. The structure facilitates transportation through the mountainous terrain of western China, reducing travel times between regional centers.
Guizhou, China
The Zangkejiang Bridge spans a deep gorge in Guizhou Province, reaching a clearance height of 410 meters above the valley floor. This bridge connects two mountainous areas separated by difficult terrain, creating a direct route where none existed before. It forms part of a regional highway network designed to link isolated communities in southwestern China. Construction required engineering solutions adapted to the steep topography and significant altitude changes characteristic of Guizhou. The bridge now supports vehicle traffic across terrain that previously required long detours through winding mountain roads.
Shuicheng and Pu'an, Guizhou, China
The Zangkejiang Bridge is a suspension bridge with a deck clearance of 410 meters, connecting the districts of Shuicheng and Pu'an in Guizhou Province. It forms part of the G7612 Nayong–Xingyi Expressway and allows passage over the Zangke River in a region characterized by rugged terrain. The structure contributes to improved transport connections in this mountainous area of southwest China.
Weng'an, Guizhou, China
The Qingshuihe Bridge is a suspension bridge in Guizhou Province that forms part of the G69 Yinchuan-Baise Expressway. This bridge features a main span of 1,130 meters and crosses the valley with a clearance of 406 meters above the riverbed. The structure connects the northwestern and southwestern regions of China, facilitating transportation through the mountainous terrain of the province.
Papua New Guinea
The Hegigio Gorge Pipeline Bridge spans a deep canyon in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. This structure was built to carry an oil pipeline across the valley and connects areas that are difficult to access in one of the most remote regions in the world. The bridge is positioned at a considerable height above the gorge floor and represents a technical solution for transporting raw materials through mountainous terrain.
Pueblo Nuevo, Durango, Mexico
The Baluarte Bridge is a cable-stayed structure carrying Federal Highway 40 across the Baluarte River gorge. This bridge connects the states of Sinaloa and Durango, with its deck positioned 390 meters above the riverbed. The construction features a main span of 520 meters and two towers that rise 169 meters above the deck level.
Guizhou, China
The Liuguanghe Bridge is a cable-stayed structure that rises 375 meters above the river, connecting Qianxi and Xiuwen County in Guizhou Province. This bridge forms part of the S30 Xifeng-Qianxi Expressway and spans the deep valley of the Liuguanghe River. The construction ranks among the highest bridges globally and provides a direct transport route through the mountainous terrain of the region.
Guanling Autonomous County, Guizhou, China
The Balinghe Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Balinghe River in Guanling Autonomous County, Guizhou Province. Opened in 2009, this bridge forms part of the G60 Shanghai-Kunming Expressway. With a vertical clearance of 370 meters from the deck to the river below, the Balinghe Bridge ranks among the highest bridges in the world. Its main span measures 1,088 meters. This bridge connects Guizhou and Yunnan provinces, significantly reducing travel time between the regions.
Xingbeizhen, Guizhou, China
The Beipanjiang Bridge at Guanxing was constructed in 2003 as part of the Guanxing Expressway in Guizhou Province. This suspension bridge connects two mountain slopes in the Xingbeizhen region and spans a gorge with a vertical clearance of 366 meters between the road deck and the valley floor. The structure enables highway traffic to cross the challenging terrain of southwestern China's mountainous region.
Guizhou, China
The Tongzihe Jinrentong Bridge is a suspension bridge located in Guizhou Province. This structure spans the Tongzi River and connects two mountain slopes in a region characterized by dramatic topography. The bridge ranks among the highest in the world, positioned several hundred meters above the riverbed. It was constructed to improve transportation links in this mountainous area and significantly reduce travel times between surrounding communities.
Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir, India
The Chenab Bridge is a railway arch bridge that crosses the Chenab River in Reasi. Standing 359 meters above the riverbed, this bridge ranks among the highest railway bridges in the world. It forms part of the railway line connecting Jammu to Baramulla and links the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India. The structure consists of a steel arch bridge with a span of 467 meters.
Xingyi, Guizhou, China
The Maling Bridge is a suspension bridge that forms part of the S09 Xingyi Expressway in Guizhou Province. It spans a gorge with a vertical clearance of 361 meters above the valley floor, making it one of the world's highest bridges. The structure connects two mountain sides and allows vehicular traffic to cross the deep valley. The bridge was constructed to improve transportation links in this mountainous region of southwest China.
Liupanshui, Guizhou, China
The Dimuhe Bridge spans the Beipanjiang Valley in southwestern Guizhou Province and ranks among the highest bridges in the world. This suspension bridge opened in 2016 as part of the G56 Hangzhou–Ruili Expressway. With a clearance of 360 meters above the riverbed, the bridge connects the mountainous regions of Liupanshui and provides a direct transportation route through previously difficult terrain. The structure features two main towers and a 720-meter main span that crosses the deep gorge.
Ningnan, Sichuan and Qiaojia, Yunnan, China
The Jinshajiang Bridge is a suspension bridge featuring a 360-meter vertical clearance that connects Ningnan County in Sichuan Province with Qiaojia County in Yunnan Province. This bridge forms part of the G4216 Chengdu–Lijiang Expressway, serving as an important transportation link between the two provinces. The structure crosses the Jinsha River at an elevation that ranks among the highest in the world.
Yongren, Yunnan, China
The Yongren Bridge is a suspension bridge that forms part of the S45 Yongren–Jinshui Expressway. This bridge crosses the valley at a clearance of 352 meters above the ground, connecting two mountainous regions in Yunnan Province. The structure allows traffic to flow between Yongren and Jinshui counties, significantly reducing travel time in this mountainous area.
Zhijin, Guizhou, China
Liuchong Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge on the S55 Qianxi–Zhijin Expressway in Guizhou Province. This bridge crosses a valley with a clearance of 340 meters above the ground, connecting Qianxi and Zhijin districts. The structure was designed to navigate the mountainous topography of the region and provides a direct link between the two areas. The bridge forms part of the regional highway network that improves infrastructure in this rural zone.
Jishou, Hunan, China
The Aizhai Bridge is a suspension bridge in Hunan Province that carries the G65 Baotou-Maoming Expressway across the Dehang Canyon. This bridge spans 1,176 meters and stands 336 meters above the valley floor. The structure connects two mountain peaks and significantly reduces travel time between Jishou and Chadong. The four main cables each measure 0.8 meters in diameter and the bridge deck is 24.5 meters wide. The Aizhai Bridge opened in 2012 and ranks among the highest bridges in the world.
Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China
The Lishui Bridge spans a gorge in the mountainous region of Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province. This suspension bridge reaches a vertical height of 330 meters above the valley floor, ranking it among the highest bridges in the world. It forms part of the S10 Zhangjiajie–Huayuan Expressway, significantly reducing travel time between the two cities. The structure contributes to the transportation infrastructure of this tourist region, known for its sandstone formations and national parks.
Yangshan County, Guangdong, China
The Tianyundu Walkway spans a gorge in Yangshan County, reaching a height of 312 meters above the valley floor. This pedestrian suspension bridge connects two mountain peaks and provides visitors with access to views of the Guangdong mountain landscape from an elevated position. The structure was designed specifically for foot traffic and ranks among the highest bridges of its type in China.
Xishui County, Guizhou and Gulin County, Sichuan, China
The Chajiaotan Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Chishui River and connecting two provinces. Opened in 2020 as part of the S80 Gulin–Yibin Expressway, the bridge features a clearance of 315 meters and a main span of 1,200 meters. This structure provides a connection between Xishui County in Guizhou and Gulin County in Sichuan.
Liuchangxiang, Guizhou, China
The Najiehe Railway Bridge spans the Wu River at a height of 310 meters above the valley floor. This arch bridge was constructed in 2016 as part of the Zhijin-Qingzhen Railway line and features a main span of 352 meters. The structure enables rail traffic through the mountainous region of Guizhou, connecting communities along this route.
Pingtang County, Guizhou, China
Pingtang Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge opened in 2019 on the S64 Yuqing–Anlong Expressway, crossing the Caodu River in Pingtang County. With a clearance of 305 meters above the river, this bridge ranks among the highest in the world. The main span stretches 550 meters, connecting areas within Guizhou Province. The structure serves regional traffic and provides a direct route through the mountainous terrain of southwestern China.
Qinglong, Guizhou, China
The Qinglong Railway Bridge is an arch bridge with a clearance of 295 meters and a main span of 445 meters. Constructed in 2016 for the Shanghai-Kunming High-Speed Railway, it crosses the Beipan River. The bridge connects Guizhou and Yunnan provinces and allows trains to travel nearly 300 meters above the river valley. As part of China's high-speed rail network, it contributes to reducing travel time between the eastern and western regions of the country.