Aizhai Bridge

 

From Zhangjiajie to Aizhai Bridge: approximately 215km

 

From Fenghuang Old Town to Aizhai Bridge: approximately 69km

 

Aizhai Bridge height, length and width: 355 meters (1,165 feet) in height, 1073.65 meters (3522.47 feet) in length, with a main span of 1176 meters (3,858 feet), and 24.5 meters (80.3 feet) in width with four lanes

Start date: October, 2007

 

Completion date: March, 2012

 

Aizhai Suspension Bridge history and construction

Dehang Canyon is a vital to Jishou to Chadong expressway, therefore the construction of Aizhai Suspension Bridge had to be put on the agenda. Based on the difficulties in empirical analysis (including the strategically located and difficult terrain, complex geological conditions, changeable weather and difficult transportation), the implementation of the programme was worked out. The Aizhai Bridge architects and engineers made bold innovations and created a highway bridge wonder. 

 

The structure of Aizhaih Bridge is quite different from the regular suspension bridge. Firstly, the towers and beams are completely detached, which allows lesser excavation on the mountains, shortens the length of steel truss girder and reduce the construction cost. Aizhai Bridge therefore blends more naturally and beautifully into its surroundings. Secondly, large rock anchor sling is used on the Aizhai Bridge, to fix the steel truss girder on the rock of mountains. On March 31, 2012, Aizhai Suspension Bridge was officially opened to the traffic, and the Changsha to Chongqing highway is finally completed. 
 

 

Aizhai Bridge Picture

 

Aizhai winding road

Right next to Aizhai Suspension Bridge is the Aizhai winding road, another highway wonder on the China National Highway 319 (Hunan to Sichuan Highway). This 6-kilomter-long road has 13 bends of 70 to 90 degree angle. The widest part of the road is 7 meters and the vertical height is 440 meters. All of these make it difficult to construct and the engineering expense is high. According to the records, it took more than 2000 people 7 months to complete the Aizhai widing road in 1935. Unfortunately, over 200 people of them died of the accidents when building the road. Thereafter, a bronze statue has been made and stands beside the road to commemorate the victims. 

 

 

 

The Aizhai Village

The primitive, tranquil village of Aizhai has been inhabited by the miao people. Due to its relatively remote location, the miao people still keep the simple traditional lifestyle. The little village has four ancient city gates. There are both wooden diaojiaolou (stilted building) dwellings and rock dwellings. Travel to Aizhai Village, visitors can experience the unique miao culture, traditions and various activities during the celebrations. For travelers who plan an extension tour from Zhangjiajie or Fenghuang Town, Aizhai Village with Aizhai Bridge and Aizhai Winding Road is highly recommended.  

 

Aizhai Bridge Scenic Area

After years of development, the Aizhai Bridge has become part of a large scenic area that combines breathtaking bridge views, stunning canyon landscapes, and rich ethnic culture — the Aizhai Bridge Scenic Area. It is one of the most representative destinations in western Hunan, where travelers can marvel at world-class engineering while experiencing authentic Miao culture and the natural beauty of Dehang Canyon.

Main Attractions

Aizhai Bridge
As the centerpiece of the scenic area, Aizhai Bridge is a single-span steel truss suspension bridge with an overall line length of 1,779 meters and a main bridge length of 1,414 meters. The main span reaches 1,176 meters, and the bridge deck stands 355 meters above the valley floor, making it the world’s largest canyon-spanning steel truss suspension bridge. The bridge towers adopt a portal frame structure made of reinforced concrete with hollow square columns, and their top is decorated with a bull-head motif that symbolizes Miao totemic beliefs. The curving suspension cables blend seamlessly with the towers, perfectly merging the power of modern architecture with the charm of local ethnic culture.
 

Cliff Walkway
Connecting the Paifang Parking Lot to the Aizhai Bridge, the Cliff Walkway is a thrilling high-altitude sightseeing trail stretching 1.5 kilometers long, with a vertical drop of 300–500 meters. Along the path, visitors can admire the precipitous beauty of the Dehang Grand Canyon — its knife-edged cliffs, layered peaks, and winding streams. The middle section features a 100-meter-long glass walkway made of 30mm-thick vacuum glass with 91.5% light transmittance, allowing you to see the streams below on clear days. Walking on the transparent glass gives visitors an exhilarating feeling of “floating in the air.”
 

Observation Corridor Beneath the Bridge
A pedestrian observation corridor has been built beneath the main bridge deck, allowing visitors to appreciate both the massive structure and the canyon scenery up close. The walkway, covered with green carpet, winds through the steel truss structure of the bridge, offering spectacular views of the valley below. From here, you can look down at the dramatic karst peaks, virgin forests, winding mountain roads, and clusters of traditional Miao villages — a perfect combination of natural beauty and human wonder.
 

Xiangxi Aizhai Ethnic Culture Experience Hall
Located at the top of the bridge, the Xiangxi Aizhai Ethnic Culture Experience Hall serves as both a “Demonstration Base for Women’s Entrepreneurship in Xiangxi Prefecture” and a “Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritance Center for Xiangxi Miao Embroidery.” Inside, visitors can admire various ethnic art pieces, learn about the Miao people’s history, culture, and craftsmanship, and experience the unique charm of Xiangxi’s ethnic traditions.

Things to Do in Aizhai Bridge Scenic Area

1. High-Altitude Adventure Activities
For thrill-seekers, the scenic area offers several extreme sports such as via ferrata climbing routes and a high-bridge bungee jump, providing unforgettable excitement while surrounded by magnificent canyon scenery. These activities attract adventurers from all over China and abroad who wish to challenge themselves amid breathtaking landscapes.
 

2. Sightseeing and Photography
Visitors can reach the scenic area by sightseeing shuttle buses or private cars. The road winds through mountain slopes all the way up to the bridge summit, where panoramic views of Aizhai Bridge and Dehang Canyon await. Alternatively, visitors can start their exploration from the bottom of the bridge, walking along the pedestrian paths beneath the structure to witness its grandeur and the depth of the canyon from below. Every angle of the bridge offers stunning photo opportunities, especially at sunrise and sunset when the bridge glows in golden light.
 

3. Cultural Experiences
At the Xiangxi Aizhai Ethnic Culture Experience Hall, travelers can take part in traditional Miao embroidery workshops, enjoy Miao singing and dancing performances, and learn about local customs through interactive exhibits. During festivals such as the Miao New Year, visitors may also join the villagers in celebratory dances, taste traditional Miao cuisine, and experience the hospitality and vibrant culture of the Xiangxi region.