2015 High Bridge Trip Photo Album
2015 China High Bridge Trip Photo Album
Hubei and Hunan Provinces
The 2-week 2015 High Bridge trip was another wild adventure through China's most beautiful mountain provinces of Hubei, Hunan, Guizhou and Yunnan. As in past trips, our guests were mostly retirees from around the globe. Canadian Richard Scott returned for his second high bridge tour having first come along in 2013. Australian bridge engineer John Hart kept up the tradition of an Australian having been on all of my trips while Tadashi Ashimi became the first bridge fan from Japan to visit the high bridges of Western China. Rounding out the entourage was Damian Kulash of the U.S. who has always loved traditional Chinese stone bridges but was interested in experiencing a new type of super span that represent the modern era of Chinese engineering. Our always helpful and knowledgeable translator Han Ruoyu was yet another bright Tongji University bridge engineering student.
As in previous high bridge tours, we came across many bridges that were in various stages of construction including the epic Qingshuihe suspension bridge, the soaring Beipanjiang Qinglong Railway arch and the towering Beipanjiang Duge and Yachi cable stayed bridges. Other record breaking spans included the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Footbridge that was half complete, still waiting for nicer weather before cable spinning could finally begin in the days after our visit.
In Western China the year of 2015 will definitely be remembered as one of seemingly endless rain. This afforded our group of bridge photographers some of the most vivid greenery imaginable during the occasional moments of sunshine. But if the sun was often playing hide and seek we were at least lucky that rain seemed to arrive only at night or when we were driving to our next bridge.
But if our trek was generally free of any China travel related mishaps, the second week threw us a surprise in the form of a head cold bug that spread around the SUV, first striking John Hart before a final advance on Richard Scott. Despite this discomfort, John and Richard were fighters and never backed away from another day of bridging even if their bodies were telling them to sleep all day in a hotel room.
2015 was also a first for aerial bridge photography as my new DJI Phantom 3 drone captured some stunning aerials before I crashed it while photographing the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Footbridge. Luckily the damage was not too severe and I was able to get it repaired in China while I continued to travel in the weeks that followed.
As always this trip could not have happened without the driving and navigating skills of longtime driver Chen and another nice SUV that handled hundreds of kilometers of rough roads with no breakdowns. Finally a big thanks to the many bridge construction leaders and workers as well as the local farmers who were always friendly and inquisitive about why we had come halfway around the world to visit their remote town or village.
Look for an even more exciting Chinese adventure in 2017 when we once again visit more than 50 of the world's highest spans including tours of the highest road, railway and footbridge!
The special spans visited during the first week included Longtanhe, Siduhe, Zhongjianhe, Aizhai, Mengdonghe, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass and Wujiang Railway and expressway bridges.
The most unusual aspect of the 2015 trip may well have been the very first item on our itinerary - attending an OK Go concert in Shanghai. Bridge fan Damian Kulash Sr. is the father of OK Go lead singer Damian Kulash Jr. and coincidentally the band's show was playing the night before our flight out to Western China. The music videos of OK Go are among the most clever ever created with elaborate choreography that is often done in long takes requiring precise timing with both mechanical props and fellow band mates. The group's breakout video "Here We Go Again" was directed by Damian's dance choreographer daughter Trish Sie making for a family with very creative genes. Image by Ric Turner.
Image by Ric Turner.
Image by John Hart.
The Yichang Yangtze River Bridge was one of the first long span suspension bridges to cross China's most famous river when it opened in 2001. Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by John Hart.
Yichang Yangtze River Bridge steel box stringer connection. Image by John Hart.
The back area storage space in our SUV was an inch or so smaller then in previous years making for a puzzling challenge on how to most efficiently fit everyone's suitcases in addition to my drone case. Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Our first giant bridge is the colossal Longtanhe Bridge, one of the largest expressway viaducts in the world with piers 178 meters tall. Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image from Tadashi Ashimi.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
The base of each pier was as large as a mansion! Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
The 110 meter high Yexihe Railway Bridge. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
The Tieluiping Bridge is one of 3 cable stayed bridges on the G56 expressway. Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
The Shuanghekou Bridge is another giant more then 200 meters high on the G56. Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Local farmers who live near the Shuanghekou Bridge were surprised to see a group of foreigners in their driveway. Image by John Hart.
Breakfast in Yesanguan city. Image by by Han Ruoyu.
The breaktaking Siduhe Bridge - still the highest suspension span in the world at 496 meters. Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by by Han Ruoyu.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Siduhe Bridge was the first place in China I used my new drone. Image by Tadashi Ashimi.
Image by Tadashi Ashimi.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Tadashi Ashimi.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Tadashi Ashimi smiles during the first of several perilous poses during the trip. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Richard Scott.
Although it may not seem so high at 125 meters, the concrete Yesanhe arch bridge was the highest in China upon its completion in 1977. Image by John Hart.
Paralleling the older arch is a new Yesanhe Pipeline Bridge that was completed in 2009. Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Built in 1970, the Xiaoduchuan stone arch bridge over the Qingjiang River has a span of 96.8 meters, more then any stone bridge ever built in Europe except for one. China is home to the world's 20 longest stone arch bridges. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
This single tower cable stayed bridge bypasses the older arch which is now only open to pedestrians. Image by Han Ruoyu.
Image by John Hart.
Enshi is another fast growing Hubei Province metropolis and this new extradosed bridge across the Qingjiang will allow more growth in the north end of the city. Image by John Hart.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
This short span suspension bridge is also new, crossing the Qingjiang even further north. Image by Richard Scott.
The huge Qingjiang wind and rain bridge is made to look like a classic wood crossing but is actually made of concrete. On humid summer nights, throngs of locals are packed inside it from one end to the other. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
A buffet style dinner near the wind and rain bridge allowed driver to Chen to eat more food then the rest of us combined! Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Tadashi Ashimi shows us the proper way to prepare his home grown tea leaves. Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
A morning noodle breakfast at an Enshi street front restaurant. Image by John Hart.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Richard Scott.
The G50 crosses the mighty Qingjiang River on this single tower cable stayed bridge with a spans of 220 meters. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
This house was cut into two for the new expressway between Enshi and Qianjiang City. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
With a deep blue truss and slender towers over 245 meters tall, the Zhongjianhe cable stayed bridge is arguably Hubei's most beautiful mountain expressway crossing. Image by John Hart.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Time for my first drone aerials of a cable stayed bridge. Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Richard Scott captures my drone's descent. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Qianjiang city's newest tourist attraction is this The bas-relief sculpture of the goddess Avalokiteśvara (观音). Although the carving is reportedly only 123 meters high, the top of her head is about 300 meters above the river. Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
The visitors center for the Aizhai Bridge area attractions included this topo model. Image by John Hart.
An entire park and overlook was nearly complete and will include a cliffwalk, shops and restaurants. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Still the longest span high level bridge in the world, Aizhai is also China's most popular high bridge crossing due to the amazing mountain scenery that surrounds the bridge on all sides. The inside of the red truss now has an open walkway that is 330 meters above the creek. Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Aizhai was the third bridge of the trip I flew my drone over. Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image from Tadashi Ashimi.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Panic set in during my Aizhai drone flight when I could not longer figure out where it was! Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
With my drone battery running low I had no choice to land it in the middle of the road more then 1,000 feet from where I was standing. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Within a minute after landing it, a passing motorist picked up the drone which was still taking video. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Luckily they did not drive off and gave me my drone back! Image by Richard Scott
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
The new Aizhai Bridge plaza was finished but frustratingly the catwalk inside the truss would not be open to the public for a few more weeks. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Han Ruoyu.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Lishuihe Bridge is not a tenth as famous as Aizhai Bridge despite the deck being just as high at 336 meters. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
After the disappointment at Aizhai Bridge, we decided to give ourselves a personal catwalk tour inside the Lishuihe Bridge truss. Image by Richard Scott.
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by John Hart.
This giant pagoda marks the entrance to Zhangjiajie National Park. The limestone rock formations became famous around the world when they were used to inspire the look of the planet Pandora in the film Avatar. Image by John Hart.
A view of the reflection in the ceiling of the Bailong elevator. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by John Hart.
The Zhangjiajie Park Footbridge was widened a year of two before our visit to handle the huge increase in crowds. The short structure crosses a chasm 140 meters deep! Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Han Ruoyu.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by John Hart.
Image from John Hart.
Image by Han Ruoyu.
Image by Han Ruoyu.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Lorna.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Lorna.
Image by Lorna.
Image by Lorna.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image from Tadashi Ashimi.
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image from Tadashi Ashimi.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by John Hart.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by John Hart.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by John Hart.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by John Hart.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by John Hart.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Han Ruoyu.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by John Hart.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image from Tadashi Ashimi.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Han Ruoyu.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Click on Page 2 for Week Two with views of the Guizhou Province Bridges and More!