No, no, no, no, no THANK YOU! A new glass pedestrian only bridge opened earlier this month in China that claims to be the world’s longest and tallest. The 1,410-foot-long Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge is a series of glass panels and steel beams suspended 984 feet above the Grand Canyon of Zhangjiajie. Israeli architect Haim Dotan told Dezeen,
“The Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge was designed to be as invisible as possible—a white bridge disappearing into the clouds. Nature is beautiful as is. One wants to make the least impact upon it.”
The bridge is only 20 feet wide but is instantly a popular tourist attraction that can hold up to 800 thrill-seekers at a time. Dotan added that it will also be used for private events, like a fashion-shows. Work the runway sweetie, but I’m not sure about those 8 inch heels. Uh, I think I’ll just wait for the video…
Now officials say the government was planning “urgent maintenance work” and the bridge is closed after being open just 13 days. A spokesman told CNN the bridge was,
“overwhelmed by the volume of visitors.“
They say there have been no accidents and the bridge’s glass panels were not cracked or broken.
(Photos, Getty; via Slate)