Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge

Bridges are a part of our daily lives. They have connected banks, valleys, and communities for centuries. This collection presents structures from various periods and regions. From medieval stone arches to modern steel constructions, these works demonstrate the evolution of engineering. The Rialto Bridge from the 16th century in Venice spans the Grand Canal with a single stone arch. The Golden Gate in San Francisco stretches over 1.7 miles (2.7 km), linking the city to northern California. In Singapore, the Helix Bridge forms a pedestrian link in Marina Bay with its double-helix structure. These structures serve practical purposes in urban transportation while shaping city skylines. They provide technical solutions to geographical barriers and reflect different approaches to bridge construction through the ages.

Chinese architecture spans modern skyscrapers, historic fortifications, and technical structures. From the glass bridge in Longtan Valley to the Canton Tower, these buildings combine tradition and modern technology. Temples, fortresses, and museums tell the country's history, while newer structures like the Tianjin Binhai Library and the Beijing National Stadium represent contemporary development. The collection includes examples from different regions across China. In Beijing stand the Phoenix Center, the National Stadium, and the Pangu Plaza. Shanghai houses the Oriental Pearl Tower and Nanjing Road. In Jiangsu Province, the Danyang-Kunshan Bridge extends for 102 miles (164 kilometers). The Canton Tower in Guangzhou reaches a height of 1,970 feet (600 meters). Historic sites complement the modern structures. The Xi'an City Wall in Shaanxi dates from the Ming Dynasty. The Ancient Town of Pingyao in Shanxi preserves traditional architecture from several centuries. The Leshan Giant Buddha in Sichuan was carved into a cliff face during the 8th century. The Wenchuan Earthquake Museum documents the 2008 natural disaster.

This collection gathers sites where architecture and nature combine to offer extraordinary experiences. From urban observation platforms to natural geological formations, these destinations allow observing the world from remarkable viewpoints. Each location presents a different approach to altitude, whether through modern installations or natural sites. Among the destinations are TILT Chicago, a platform that tilts above the city from the 94th floor, and Trolltunga in Norway, a rocky formation protruding 700 meters above Lake Ringedalsvatnet. In China, the Zhangjiajie glass bridge spans 430 meters between two cliffs, while in Ecuador, the Banos swing enables swinging facing the Tungurahua volcano. Other sites like the Grand Canyon Skywalk in Arizona, the Royal Gorge suspension bridge in Colorado, or the Hanging Temple in Datong showcase the diversity of these places. These destinations are aimed at travelers seeking different sensations and wishing to discover panoramas from unusual positions. Some sites require good physical condition, others are accessible to all. It is advisable to check access conditions and consider your tolerance for heights before planning your visit.

This collection brings together some of the most technically ambitious structures ever built, from record-breaking skyscrapers and suspension bridges to high-speed roller coasters that push the boundaries of what steel and concrete can achieve. These sites span continents and represent decades of engineering progress, offering visitors a chance to experience human innovation at heights and speeds that were once impossible. Whether you're standing on the observation deck of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, walking across the glass floor panels of the CN Tower in Toronto, or racing through the launch sequence of Kingda Ka in New Jersey, each structure tells a story of technical ambition and problem-solving. The collection includes landmarks like the 324-meter Eiffel Tower in Paris, completed for the 1889 World Exhibition, and modern marvels such as Tokyo Skytree, which rises 634 meters above the city. You'll find the Millau Viaduct spanning the Tarn River valley in France at a height of 336 meters (1,100 feet), the tilted medieval bell tower in Pisa leaning at a 3.97-degree angle, and Russia's SkyBridge suspended between mountain peaks at 2,320 meters (7,600 feet) elevation. These places attract millions of visitors each year, offering not just views and thrills but a firsthand understanding of what modern engineering can accomplish when designers set out to build something exceptional.

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.

This collection gathers bridges that hold world records for span length, defined as the distance between two main pylons. While the longest bridge in the world measures 165 kilometers in China, this refers to the maximum span covered in one continuous structure. These constructions demonstrate engineering achievements in crossing maritime straits, rivers, or valleys without intermediate supports. The Çanakkale Bridge in Turkey crosses the Dardanelles Strait with a span of 2,023 meters, setting the current record for suspension bridges. In Japan, the Akashi Strait Bridge connects Kobe to Awaji Island with a central span of 1,991 meters. In China, several bridges exceed 1,600 meters in span, such as the Yangsigang Bridge over the Yangtze in Wuhan or the Xihoumen Bridge in the Zhoushan Archipelago. South Korea with the Yi Sun-sin Bridge, Denmark with the Great Belt Bridge, and Turkey with the Osman Gazi Bridge complete this list of remarkable structures. These bridges are interesting destinations for observing modern civil engineering accomplishments. They connect cities and regions, significantly reducing travel times while offering scenic views of the landscapes they cross. Visiting them allows appreciation of the scope of work involved in constructing these infrastructures under often challenging conditions.