Skywalk, Glasswalk, Cliffwalk Viewing Platforms

Revision as of 10:29, 7 October 2019

The following is a list of the many cantilevered platforms and cliffwalks that have been constructed around the world at canyon overlooks and other tourist sites that are both public and private. Many of these overlooks contain glass panels where tourists can walk on top of them and look straight down the side of a cliff or mountain. Approximately half of these platforms were built to facilitate a bungee operation, allowing the jumper to fall vertically a safe distance away from the side of a deep gorge or valley.

Although technically not bridges, I have included these scenic overlooks on my website for the similarity many of them have to high bridge spans. I have only included structures that cantilever out from the natural earth and did not include several “glass balconies” that extend out over the edge of urban skyscrapers or observation towers. I also excluded any enclosed skybridges or other similar corridors that form an aerial connection between skyscrapers, apartment buildings or sports venues. Regretabaly this list also excludes some interesting outdoor cliff elevators and tree top walks despite the interesting engineering challenges that were overcome to create them.

Some of these observation platforms were directly inspired by the U-shaped design of the Grand Canyon Skywalk on the Hualapai Indian Reservation in the U.S. state of Arizona. Conceived by developer David Jin, the steel box beam platform opened in 2007 with a walkway entirely covered in glass. The 21 meter long attraction became an immediate success and inspired similar platforms, especially in China where there is widespread investment and tourist development underway at dozens of national parks and mountain resorts throughout the country.

Unlike bridges, the height measurement of these platforms depends on whether the owners are touting a height vertically straight down from the outermost edge of the structure to the wall of the cliff below or to the lowest elevation point of the river surface at the bottom of the valley. By using an elevation difference between the river and the platform, the operators of the attraction can boast a much higher figure for the “height” even though an object falling from the end of the platform would never drop to the lowest point of the valley.

The following platforms and cliffwalks are ranked on the maximum 90 degree vertical drop height of the highest point on the structure. Nearly all of these figures are based on either the official figure released by the attraction owners or estimates from my analyzing of photos. Accurate measurements can only be taken with a laser range-finder or similar tool. Until such verification can be made, the listed heights in parentheses should be viewed not as fact but only as a best estimate that may be off by dozens of meters or more. If you know of a platform or cliffwalk that was not included then send me the information on the structure so I can add it to the list. Enjoy!

	Rank	Name	Height (meters / feet)	Main Span Length (meters / feet)	Completed	Location	Country
	001 1	Tianmenshan Cliffwalk and Glasswalk 张家界天门山栈道和玻璃栈道	1,165 feet 355 meters	6 feet 2 meters	2011	Zhangjiajie, Hunan	China
	002 2	Grand Canyon Skywalk	720 feet 219 meters	70 feet 21 meters	2007	Grand Canyon West, Arizona	United States
	003 3	Tianjishan Viewing Platform 天脊山自然风景区玻璃观景台	(656) feet 200 meters	(50) feet 15 meters	????	Linzhou, Henan	China
	004 4	Wulong Tianshengsanqiao Viewing Platform 武隆天生三桥玻璃观景台	574 feet 175 meters	(33) feet 10 meters	2016	Xiannushanzhen, Chongqing	China
	005 5	Longgang Viewing Platform 云阳龙缸悬挑玻璃景观廊桥	558 feet 170 meters	70 feet 21 meters	2015	Yunyang, Chongqing	China
	006 6	Yaxiaku Viewing Platform 崖下库玻璃观景台	(492) feet 150 meters	(33) feet 10 meters	20??	Yantouzhen, Zhejiang	China
	007 7	Tiantangzhai Cliffwalk 天堂寨玻璃栈道	(476) feet 145 meters	6 feet 2 meters	2016?	Tiantangzhaizhen, Hubei	China
	008 8	The Nevis Swing	440 feet 134 meters	(1,312) feet 400 meters	2008	Queenstown	New Zealand
	008.5 8.5	Lingjiangyuan Glass Viewing Platform 灵江源玻璃悬廊	(427) feet 130 meters	(259) feet 79 meters	2019	Weixinxiang, Zhejiang	China
	009 9	Enshi Grand Canyon Cliffwalk 恩施大峡谷栈道	427 feet 130 meters	6 feet 2 meters	????	Enshi, Hubei	China
	010.5 10.5	Aizhai Grand Canyon Cliffwalk 矮寨特大峡谷栈道	410 feet 125 meters	6 feet 2 meters	2018	Enshi, Hubei	China
	0010 10	Wansheng Glass Platform 万盛云端廊桥	404 feet 123 meters	(246) feet 75 meters	2017	Wansheng, Chongqing	China
	011 11	Camino del Rey Cliffwalk El Caminito Del Rey	(328) feet 100 meters	6 feet 2 meters	1905, 2015	Álora, Málaga	Spain
	012 12	Mingyueshan Cliffwalk 明月山栈道	(328) feet 100 meters	6 feet 2 meters	????	Yichun, Jiangxi	China
	013 13	Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Cliffwalk 张家界大峡谷栈道	(328) feet 100 meters	6 feet 2 meters	2017	Sanguansixiang, Hunan	China
	013.5 13.5	Huangtengxia Glass Viewing Platform 黄腾峡天门悬廊	(328) feet 100 meters	(131) feet 40 meters	2019	Qingyuan, Guangdong	China
	13.5 13.5	Wanshan Glass Cliffwalk 万山玻璃栈道	(328) feet 100 meters	6 feet 2 meters	201?	Tongren, Guizhou	China
	014 14	Shenxianju Cliffwalk 大神仙居栈道	(328) feet 100 meters	6 feet 2 meters	201?	Danzhuxiang, Zhejiang	China
	014.5 14.5	Shimenguan Glass Cliffwalk 石门关玻璃栈道	(328) feet 100 meters	21 feet 6 meters	2016	Pingpozhen, Yunnan	China
	015 15	Jumpin Heights Rishikesh Bungee Platform	272 feet 83 meters	(164) feet 50 meters	2006	Rishikesh, Uttarakhand	India
	016 16	Shilinxia Glass Viewing Platform 石林峡飞碟玻璃观景台	(246) feet 75 meters	(197) feet 60 meters	2016	Huangsongyuxiang, Beijing	China
	017 17	Langyashan Glass Viewing Platform 狼牙山玻璃观景台	(246) feet 75 meters	(75) feet 23 meters	2017	Bailongxiang, Hebei	China
	018 18	AlpspiX Viewing Platform	(246) feet 75 meters	43 feet 13 meters	????	Wettersteingebirge, Bavaria	Germany
	019 19	Dahangxi Bungee Platform 永泰大樟溪蹦极台	240 feet 73 meters	(164) feet 50 meters	2007	Yongtai, Fujian	China
	020 20	Longqingxia Bungee Platform 延庆龙庆峡蹦极台	233 feet 71 meters	(115) feet 35 meters	1998	Yanqing, Beijing	China
	021 21	Cola De Caballo Bungee Platform	220 feet 67 meters	(98) feet 30 meters	1998	Monterrey	Mexico
	022 22	Mianshan Cliffwalk 绵山风景区栈道	(213) feet 65 meters	6 feet 2 meters	????	Jiexiu, Shanxi	China
	023 23	La Souleuvre Viaduct Bungy Platform	200 feet 61 meters	(98) feet 30 meters	1990	Normandie	France
	024 24	Xialaoxi Bungee Platform 下牢溪蹦极台	(200) feet 61 meters	(98) feet 30 meters	????	Yichang, Hubei	China
	024.5 24.5	Gulongxia Glass Platform 古龙峡玻璃大峡谷	(197) feet 60 meters	236 feet 72 meters	2018	Qingyuan, Guangdong	China
	024.6 24.6	InterContinental Shanghai Hotel Glass Cliffwalk	(197) feet 60 meters	6 feet 2 meters	2019	Songjiang, Shanghai	China
	024.7 24.7	Longchuanxia Glass Cliffwalk	(197) feet 60 meters	6 feet 2 meters	2018	Tiantai, Zhejiang	China
	025 25	Glacier Skywalk	(197) feet 60 meters	(197) feet 60 meters	2014	Jasper National Park, Alberta	Canada
	026 26	Tongjing Bungee Platform 重庆统景蹦极台	190 feet 58 meters	(98) feet 30 meters	2004	Yubei, Chongqing	China
	027 27	Qinglong Bungee Platform 怀柔青龙峡蹦极台	190 feet 58 meters	(115) feet 35 meters	1998	Huairou, Beijing	China
	028 28	Shidu Bungee Platform 房山十渡蹦极台	180 feet 55 meters	(98) feet 30 meters	1997	Fangshan, Beijing	China
	029 29	Dajianshan Skywalk 广元大剑山玻璃廊桥	(164) feet 50 meters	(98) feet 30 meters	2014	Guangyuan, Sichuan	China
	030 30	Yuntaishan Cliffwalk and Glasswalk 云台山栈道和玻璃栈道	(164) feet 50 meters	6 feet 2 meters	2015	Anshangxiang, Henan	China
	031 31	Shiniuzhai Cliffwalk 石牛寨风景区栈道	(164) feet 50 meters	6 feet 2 meters	????	Pingjiang, Hunan	China
	031.5 31.5	Fuxishan Glass Platform 伏羲山玻璃观景台	(164) feet 50 meters	(70) feet 21 meters	2018	Micunzhen, Henan	China
	031.6 31.6	Laoyinshan Glass Cliffwalk 老阴山玻璃栈道和玻璃观景台	(164) feet 50 meters	(70) feet 21 meters	2019	Gejiu, Yunnan	China
	032 32	Tangchuan Grand Canyon Cliffwalk 汤川大峡谷风景区栈道	(164) feet 50 meters	6 feet 2 meters	2015?	Sanming, Fujian	China
	033 33	The Aiguille du Midi Step Into The Void Platform	(164) feet 50 meters	6 feet 2 meters	2013	Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Rhône-Alpes	France
	034 34	Huangshan Cliffwalk 黄山西海栈道	(164) feet 50 meters	6 feet 2 meters	????	Huangshan, Anhui	China
	035 35	Solden Glacier Viewing Platform	(164) feet 50 meters	(98) feet 30 meters	????	Tyrol	Austria
	036 36	Baishishan Glasswalk 广州白云山蹦极台	(164) feet 50 meters	6 feet 2 meters	2014	Laiyuan, Hebei	China
	037 37	The Ledge Bungy Platform	154 feet 47 meters	(98) feet 30 meters	1997	Queenstown	New Zealand
	038 38	Taupo Bungy Platform	154 feet 47 meters	(98) feet 30 meters	1991	Taupo, North Island	New Zealand
	039 39	Infinity Room at the House on the Rock	154 feet 47 meters	(197) feet 60 meters	1985	Spring Green, Wisconsin	United States
	040 40	Baiyunshan Bungee Platform 广州白云山蹦极台	138 feet 42 meters	(98) feet 30 meters	2001	Guangzhou, Guangdong	China
	041 41	Encore Bungee Platform	131 feet 40 meters	(98) feet 30 meters	2013	Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco	Mexico
	042 42	Huangshui Dafengbao Glass Viewing Platform 黄水大风堡玻璃廊桥	(131) feet 40 meters	(98) feet 30 meters	2012	Huangshuizhen, Chongqing	China
	042.5 42.5	Xiaowulai Sky Trail Glass Viewing Platform 小烏來天空步道	(131) feet 40 meters	(98) feet 30 meters	2016	Taoyuan, Taiwan	China
	043 43	Oryukdo Skywalk Glass Viewing Platform 오륙도 스카이워크	115 feet 35 meters	49 feet 15 meters	2013	Busan	South Korea
	043.5 43.5	Yalong Bay Forest Park Glass Bridge 三亚亚龙湾森林公园玻璃栈道	(98) feet 30 meters	6 feet 2 meters	2018	Sanya, Hainan	China
	044 44	Huashan Cliffwalk 华山长空栈道	(82) feet 25 meters	6 feet 2 meters	????	Huayin, Shaanxi	China
	045 45	Fenghuangshan Glasswalk 辽宁凤城凤凰山玻璃栈道	(82) feet 25 meters	20 feet 6 meters	2013	Fengcheng, Liaoning	China
	045.5 45.5	Tianyunshan Glass Viewing Platform 天云山玻璃观景台	(82) feet 25 meters	(82) feet 25 meters	2016	Zhenluoyingzhen, Beijing	China
	046 46	Sanqingshan Cliffwalk 三清山栈道	(82) feet 25 meters	6 feet 2 meters	????	Sanqingxiang, Jiangxi	China
	046.5 46.5	Jiuxianshan Glass Cliffwalk 九仙山玻璃栈道	(82) feet 25 meters	6 feet 2 meters	20??	Songbaizhen, Shandong	China
	047 47	Cabo Girao Viewing Platform	(82) feet 25 meters	(33) feet 10 meters	2012	Funchal, Madeira Island	Portugal
	048 48	Songshan Cliffwalk 嵩山栈道	(82) feet 25 meters	6 feet 2 meters	????	Dengfeng, Henan	China
	049 49	Eastern Oversea Chinese Town Viewing Platform 深圳东部华侨城玻璃平台	(82) feet 25 meters	(69) feet 21 meters	????	Shenzhen, Guangdong	China
	049.5 49.5	Laojunshan Glass Viewing Platform 老君山玻璃观景台	(82) feet 25 meters	(69) feet 21 meters	201?	Luanchuan, Henan	China
	050 50	Dachstein Glacier Sky Walk	(82) feet 25 meters	(197) feet 60 meters	(2013)	Ramsau am Dachstein, Styria	Austria
	051 51	Five Fingers Viewing Platform	(82) feet 25 meters	(66) feet 20 meters	????	Obertraun, Styria	Austria
	052 52	Capilano Cliffwalk	(82) feet 25 meters	(33) feet 10 meters	2011	Vancouver, British Columbia	Canada
	053 53	Conn Viewing Platform	(82) feet 25 meters	(33) feet 10 meters	2008	Conn, Flims, Grisons	Switzerland
	054 54	Pierre-Percee Lake Bungee Platform	(82) feet 25 meters	(66) feet 20 meters	????	Pierre-Percée, Lorraine	France
	055 55	Trauttmansdorff Viewing Platform	(82) feet 25 meters	(66) feet 20 meters	2005	Meran, Bolzano	Italy
	056 56	Top of Tyrol Viewing Platform	(82) feet 25 meters	(49) feet 15 meters	2008	Neustift im Stubaital, Tyrol	Austria
	057 57	Shaohua Glass Walkway 少华山玻璃栈道	(82) feet 25 meters	(100) feet 30 meters	2017	Huaxian, Shaanxi	China
	057.5 57.5	Balagezong Scenic Area Glass Platform 巴拉格宗景区回璃观景台	(82) feet 25 meters	(6) feet 2 meters	2018	Benzilanzhen, Yunnan	China
	058 58	Guilin Tianmenshan Viewing Platform 桂林天门山玻璃观景台	(66) feet 20 meters	6 feet 2 meters	2012	Quanzhou, Guangxi	China
	059 59	Aurland Outlook Platform	33 feet 10 meters	98 feet 30 meters	????	Aurland, Sogn	Norway
	060 60	Gaularfjell Viewpoint Platform	(33) feet 10 meters	(33) feet 10 meters	2016	Balestrand, Sogn	Norway