Spectacular bridges worldwide: 18 incredible structures

Bridges are often much more than just a connection from A to B – some structures are so spectacular that crossing them is a real adventure! Some are beautifully designed, others are gigantically tall or not what they seem at first glance. Some will make you sweat, others will enchant you with light shows. Around the world, there are bizarre, unique, and truly spectacular bridges that you simply have to see. We'll show you 18 of them.

Since 2018, Vietnam has had a golden bridge that appears to be supported by two giant hands! But not only the sight of the Cau Vang Bridge is breathtaking, but also the view tourists enjoy from it: At a height of 1,400 meters, they can gaze out over the Ba Na Mountains in Vietnam.

The giant hands are by no means as massive as their surroundings. Instead of stone and rock, they are made of steel mesh and fiberglass. Searchers will find the bridge about 40 kilometers from the coastal city of Da Nang.

In the background you can see the Ba Na Hills.

Source: Landscape Architecture TA

One of the world's most spectacular glass bridges can be found in China's Hunan Province. At 430 meters long and 260 meters above ground, it was the world's longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge at the time of its opening. Located in the heart of Zhangjiajie National Park, it connects the two sides of a canyon.

This impressive glass bridge crosses a valley in Zhangjiajie National Park.

Source: imago/Xinhua

Those with a head for heights can traverse the six-meter-wide glass beauty. 99 clear glass panes offer an impressive, if at times frightening, view into the depths.

This unique bridge has been attracting thousands of visitors since 2016. For those looking for even more action, there's a bungee and zipline facility in addition to the footpath.

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Sometimes you don't have to travel far to experience something spectacular: Germany also has a lot to offer when it comes to bridges. In the Harz Mountains, for example, you'll find the Titan RT – one of the longest suspension bridges for pedestrians in the world!

The Rappbode Dam in the Harz Mountains is the highest dam in Germany. It also features one of the longest suspension bridges.

Source: imago images / Frank Drechsler

The impressive structure at the Rappbode Dam opened in 2017 and has been attracting numerous visitors ever since. With its 458.5 meters long and 100 meters high, this gigantic suspension bridge is definitely worth a visit.

There are many impressive bridges made from a wide variety of materials – but have you ever heard of "living bridges"? In India, members of the Khasi tribe build these special bridges from the roots of the rubber tree. As true masters of construction, they can manipulate these roots to grow in a specific direction, making them both durable and resilient.

The roots of the rubber tree are a main component of the unique Meghalaya bridges in India.

Source: imago/Nature Picture Library

Of course, a little faith is required to cross these unique natural wonders. Some are more than 100 years old and still standing. Would you dare to cross them?

Brave souls seeking a true adventure will find what they're looking for here: The Caminito del Rey via ferrata in Spain was so dilapidated for a long time that the local government had to close parts of it. The path winds along the El Chorro gorge at heights of up to 200 meters and had neither railings nor paved paths for 14 years. After even some fatalities, the three-kilometer-long path was renovated and reopened in 2015.

Caminito del Rey in Spain – today there is again a safe path and renovated suspension bridges over the canyon.

Source: imago images/YAY Micro

Today there are safe suspension bridges, improved paths and newly installed planks that will lead you safely to your destination.

This spectacular structure appears unreal: the wave-shaped Ruyi Bridge in the Chinese province of Zhejiang seems to float over a 140-meter-deep gorge in the Shenxianju Nature Park.

The three sections of the bridge are partially made of glass, even the floor—so visitors should be free from vertigo. Since its opening in summer 2020, the structure has been a real visitor magnet.

A view of the Ruyi Bridge, a curved glass-bottomed structure spanning a gorge in the Shenxianju Scenic Area, in the clouds in Xianju County, east China's Zhejiang Province.

Source: IMAGO/Avalon.red

The longest pedestrian suspension bridge in Russia can be found in the resort of Sochi. You'll need a head for heights when crossing the approximately 440-meter-long bridge – it drops up to 200 meters. If that's not enough of a thrill for you, you can try a bungee jump.

If you prefer a more relaxed approach, simply enjoy the view over the Krasnaya Polyana Valley in Sochi from the suspension bridge.

The Skybridge in Russia was for a long time the longest suspension bridge in the world.

Source: imago/ITAR-TASS

The Banpo Bridge in South Korea is spectacular and a true feast for the eyes. It spans the Hangang River and impresses visitors with a unique water spectacle: Between April and October, water fountains shoot from 380 jets, illuminated by 200 lamps to create light effects and glow in all the colors of the rainbow.

This spectacle is rounded off with appropriate music, creating the world's longest bridge fountain.

The rainbow fountain is particularly beautifully illuminated.

Source: imago images/gutarphotoghaphy

A bridge and ferry in one: This is the Newport Transporter Bridge in Wales. Cars are not allowed to drive on it, but are transported from point A to point B in a special gondola. It is attached to the bridge's framework and can carry up to six cars at a time.

The gondola travels the nearly 200-meter distance in approximately one minute. The impressive bridge height of 54 meters allows ships of all types to pass through without difficulty. This unusual structure was completed in 1906 and is one of the last eight transporter bridges in the world to remain in operation for a long time. Renovation work is currently underway on the bridge, but it is scheduled to reopen to the public at the end of 2025 .

The Transporter Bridge in Newport is one of eight transporter bridges still in operation.

Source: imago images/robertharding

If you suddenly feel like taking a ride on the Ferris wheel while crossing this bridge in the Chinese city of Tianjin, that's no problem at all: The Yongle Bridge, which spans the Hai He River, is both a bridge and a Ferris wheel. From a height of 120 meters, you can enjoy wonderful views over this important port city in northeastern China. This entertaining bridge has been captivating visitors from all over the world since 2001.

The Tianjin Eye Ferris wheel on the Yongle Bridge is a real visitor magnet.

Source: imago images/VCG

This bridge spits fire and water on weekends: The Dragon Bridge in the Vietnamese city of Da Nang is truly something special. A dragon appears to be slithering through the 666-meter-long bridge – and water bubbles from its mouth every Saturday and Sunday at 9 p.m. No wonder the bridge is a popular tourist attraction.

The Dragon Bridge in Da Nang is particularly beautiful at night.

Source: imago images/Romas

A truly high-tech structure stands in Singapore : The Helix Bridge at Marina Bay, opened in 2010, is shaped like a DNA double helix. Pedestrians can walk over 280 meters of water. At night, the walk is especially impressive: Visitors are then surprised by a true color spectacle, made possible by the built-in LED lights.

The Helix Bridge is particularly beautifully illuminated at night.

Source: imago images/RickDeacon

This Italian beauty is not for those with a fear of heights! The Tibetan Bridge is an impressive 478 meters long and 30 meters high. Visitors get sweaty hands due to the large gap between the metal footboards.

People walk across the Tibetan Bridge (Ponte Tibetano). The footsteps on the world's longest Tibetan bridge are particularly wide.

Source: IMAGO/Dreamstime

Those who dare can set off from June to September in the Italian town of Claviere, 100 kilometers from Turin. Here, you'll be fitted with a helmet and safety harness and receive the most important information for your adventure.

This inclined bridge in Japan gives you butterflies in your stomach – its gradient is 6.1 percent. This makes it one of the steepest bridges in the world. It carries drivers over Lake Nakaumi. The two-lane road is 1.7 kilometers long and 45 meters high to allow large ships to pass underneath.

The Eshima Ohashi Bridge – a real challenge for drivers.

Source: imago/ITAR-TASS

Since its opening in 2001, this unique engineering marvel has impressed visitors: The Gateshead Millennium Bridge in England can rotate around its longitudinal axis. It is essentially tilted upwards to allow ships to pass through. Eight motors are required to tilt the two support points upwards.

It carries pedestrians and cyclists across the River Tyne at almost ground level, connecting the cities of Newcastle and Gateshead. At night, the bridge, nicknamed the "Blinking Eye" because of its appearance, is illuminated, making it particularly beautiful.

The iconic Millennium Bridge crosses the River Tyne and connects Newcastle and Gateshead for cyclists and pedestrians.

Source: IMAGO/Depositphotos

This structure is not for the faint-hearted—it's more for the fearless: The old wooden planks of the Hussaini Bridge in Pakistan were temporarily secured with ropes by locals. It crosses the Hunza River, and the residents have no choice: The bridge is the only way to cross from one side to the other.

The old Hussaini Bridge in Pakistan is the only crossing over the river.

Source: imago images/ZUMA Wire

The 2,460-meter-long Millau Viaduc is considered the world's largest bridge in terms of its entire structure. The structure's tallest pier is 343 meters high, making it the tallest structure in France. Travelers cross the Tarn River in the south of the country.

The Millau Viaduct in southern France crosses the Tarn River from Paris to Barcelona. It ranks fourth among the highest bridges in the world. It is 270 meters high and 2,640 meters long.

Source: imago/Fraser Band

The highest bridge in terms of height above ground is the Beipanjiang Bridge in China. It drops an incredible 565 meters below the roadway! The 1,341-meter-long cable-stayed bridge opened to traffic at the end of December 2016. It is part of the Hangzhou–Ruili Highway, which connects Liupanshui and Quanwei.

However, a new, tallest bridge in the world is scheduled to open to traffic this year – the 625- meter-high Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge , also currently under construction in China. According to China Daily, the opening is planned for the second half of 2025.

The Beipanjiang Bridge in southwest China lies 565 meters above the valley of the same name and is 1,341 kilometers long.

Source: imago/Xinhua

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