China's New Glass Bridge Is The Highest, Longest, And Scariest Yet

Gulp.

An attraction that calls itself the highest and longest glass bridge in the world opened this weekend in the country’s Zhangjiajie National Forest. Visitors were quick to risk their lives er, visit the bridge, which is made of 99 glass panels that dangle more than 980 feet over the rocky forest below.

At first, this may sound like a walk in the park. But when you see how high the bridge truly is, it’s a wonder any visitors showed up at all.

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China Daily China Daily Information Corp - CDIC / Reuters
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VCG via Getty Images
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China Stringer Network / Reuters
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VCG via Getty Images
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VCG via Getty Images
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FRED DUFOUR via Getty Images
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FRED DUFOUR via Getty Images

China has no shortage of these sky-high attractions, which are known to provide stunning photo opps. There’s the epic “Coiling Dragon” skywalk, the vertigo-inducing Haohan Qiao, or “Brave Man’s Bridge,” and another glass skywalk that famously cracked just a few weeks after opening last year. 

Officials made a big show of testing China’s newest glass bridge for safety, even driving an SUV across to prove its strength. To visit, you’ll need to get yourself to China’s “Avatar Mountains,” the natural wonder known for inspiring the popular movie

Oh, and pick up some bravery along the way. Happy travels!

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FRED DUFOUR via Getty Images
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VCG via Getty Images

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Before You Go

8 Secret Places in China That Tourists Haven't Discovered Yet
Suzhou: City of Canals(01 of08)
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Is Suzhou the Venice of China, or is Venice the Suzhou of Italy? Enchanting canals, arched foot bridges, and the mesmerizing effects of threading waterways through cityscapes make both canal cities unforgettable. Water isn't the only draw though; the historic city is also known for its more than 50 classical gardens, including nine recognized by UNESCO. (Photo: Suzhou via Shutterstock)
Shangli: A Step Back in Time(02 of08)
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Ancient travelers may have found their way to Shangli along the Silk Road, but it remains an off-the-beaten-path gem for modern tourists from foreign lands. Fall into a slower pace of life and explore the town's famed eight stone bridges and historic architecture. Still true to its trading-route roots, Shangli remains dotted with small shops selling local artisanal wares. Related:Walking the Great Wall of China: A Bucket-List Trip You Can Actually Afford(Photo: TripAdvisor)
Foshan: Folk Art and Storytelling(03 of08)
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Art can tell a thousand stories, and in Foshan, it does. For more than 600 years, Foshan has been a hub for folk art, bringing the stories of its people to life through painting, ceramics, paper arts, and calligraphy. Art appreciation gets hands-on at the Nan Feng Ancient Kiln, where visitors can make their own pottery in the traditional style. Jetbay offers a private one-day tour that includes the pottery experience. (Photo: Calligraphers, Foshan via windmoon/Shutterstock.com)
Xi'an: The Birthplace of Chinese Civilization(04 of08)
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With its more than 7,000 years of history, Xi'an is recognized as the birthplace of Chinese civilization. Home to the famous Terracotta Warriors, the ancient imperial capital is also the eastern departure point of the historic Silk Road trade route. On Jetbay's three-day Xi'an Traditional Culture Experience tour you can trace the threads of 13 different dynasties, explore local cuisines, and visit the famed warriors.

Related:27 Amazing Natural Wonders in Asia

(Photo: Fortifications of Xian via Shutterstock)
Panyu: Wild and Cultivated Nature(05 of08)
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Wild and cultivated nature blend seamlessly in the streets and parks of Panyu. Known as the "City of Flowers," elaborate gardens define this ancient city in the Pearl River Delta. Explore history and beauty at the Yu Yin Shan Fang Qing dynasty garden and the Canton and Lingnan style Bao Mo Garden. Time your visit right and you can also see the kitschy Guangzhou Panya Sunflower Garden, touted as the largest sunflower park in the world.

(Photo: TripAdvisor)
Kaiping: China's Historic Melting Pot(06 of08)
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If you're at all familiar with China, you're probably already aware that it's an ethnically diverse place. But did you know that it has history as an international melting pot as well? In the early twentieth century, the city of Kaiping—less than three hours by car from Guangzhou—was a popular destination for European and Southeast Asian immigrants. The international influence is visible today in the architecture and food.

Related:Travel Back in Time to These Amazing Ancient Cities

(Photo: TripAdvisor)
Meijiawu: Tea Culture(07 of08)
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In China, tea matters. And in Meijiawu, life revolves around tea. The surrounding countryside is lush with Longjing tea plantations, and the village itself steeped in the traditions of tea production and consumption. Learn about the history and production of the famed Dragon Well Tea, and then explore some of the more than 160 tea houses to experience tea ceremonies and sample some of the local tea food.

(Photo: TripAdvisor)
Hangzhou: Heaven on Earth(08 of08)
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Hangzhou delivers the blueprint for paradise. The city is best known for the West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to garden designs that, according to Jetbay, "achieve a fusion between heaven and earth." In the vast surrounding capital city, find famous temples and pagodas as well as the National Tea Museum and the National Silk Museum.

(Photo: Thinkstock/iStock)

8 Secret Places in China That Tourists Haven't Discovered Yet by Christine Sarkis was originally published on SmarterTravel.com.

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