Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge

Ninety-nine panels of triple-layered glass are all that sit between your feet and a 300 m drop. The Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge (officially Yuntian Du, "crossing between clouds and sky") runs 430 m between two cliffs of the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, in Cili County about 60 km east of the city. Israeli architect Haim Dotan designed it, and when it opened in 2016 it held records as the world's longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge. Both records have since been broken elsewhere, but the walk still rattles most people who try it.

The walk, and the drop

The main event is crossing the glass, with the river and treetops far below your feet. At the middle, a platform runs the world's highest commercial bungee jump, a fall of about 260 m, and a zip-line shoots across the gorge. The bridge is the finale to the Grand Canyon below it: a green ravine of waterfalls, boardwalks and a short boat ride along the canyon floor, which most people walk before or after the crossing.

Booking and timing

Numbers on the deck are capped, so tickets are sold for a specific date and a roughly two-hour time window, and they sell out days ahead in summer and over Chinese public holidays. Book early rather than turning up. A combined Grand Canyon and glass bridge ticket is the usual buy; the canyon on its own is cheaper, and the bungee and zip-line are paid separately at the bridge. You can reserve the dated slot through a reseller such as Klook in English, which is simpler than the on-site Chinese system.

Getting there

The bridge sits near Cili and Sanguansi, about a 40 to 60 minute drive from Wulingyuan town. There is no rail or metro to the gate, so most visitors arrive by tour bus, chartered car or taxi; build the transfer into your day, since it is a fair way from the forest park.

Hours and weather

The bridge opens daily, roughly from 7:00 or 8:00 until late afternoon, on timed slots. It closes in high wind, storms or ice, so keep a backup plan on rough-weather days and check conditions before you set out. Late spring through autumn gives the calmest, clearest days, which are also the days the bridge is most reliably open.

On the deck

Disposable shoe covers are required and handed out at the entrance. Hold your phone and camera firmly: there is safety netting, but the wind on the span is strong and the drop underfoot is real. Crossing takes around 40 minutes once you stop for photos.