Adventure-seeking travelers need to update their bucket list as China's Iconic Glass Bridge will soon offer bungee jumping from 260-meters or 853 feet high. It will be the highest in the world when it opens to tourists.
As if the glass bridge wasn't challenging enough, a bungee platform, which is 27 meters higher than the record-holder Macau Tower Bungy Jump (233 meters or 764 feet) was added before its scheduled opening in August 2018.
The Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, which opened in 2016, was an instant hit among travelers. Located in China's Hunan province, the glass bridge is nestled between two cliffs at Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
Two bungee enthusiasts have participated in the pre-opening challenge - Ollie Headon and Stephanie Shields from Chelmsford, UK - which happened in late May along with four others. Headon has a record of 200 bungee jumps, which he did in 20 different sites in the world. Shields is the only female bungee coach in Asia.
Shields said she was overwhelmed by the number of spectators who came to see them jump but it was worth it and she had a good time.
Initial Bungee-Jump
Headon said in an interview that for two and a half weeks, he bungee-jumped for 200 hours to prepare for the challenge. Shields, whose highest jump was 100 meters or 328 feet said it was the smoothest jump she has ever done.
Tourism officials say that it would be different from the Macau jump because the bungee-jump won't require a guided cable to give the feeling of free-falling.
The company Zhangjiajie Retallick Outdoor Sports Co., Ltd. and BungyChina team operated the jump. Australian Beau Retallick owns the former company and holds multiple records. He did 158 outdoor bungee jumps in 24 hours.
Heritage Site
Reports say that the attraction's management is thinking of adding zip lines and a giant swing onto the bridge to give tourists more options during their visit. At the end of the bridge, there will be a bungee-themed restaurant that will offer bungee-themed drinks.
Less adventurous tourists can do the skywalk on the glass bridge and just enjoy the panoramic view of Zhangjiajie Park. A Unesco World Heritage Site, the park has more than 3,000 karst pinnacles and spires, and more than 240 peaks. It was reported that the park closed for two weeks due to the overwhelming number of tourists who wanted to experience the glass bridge and enjoy the out-of-this-world scenery.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
