International students explore Longli River Bridge in Guizhou

International students pose for a group photo with a local woman in Qiannan. [Photo/ddcpc website]

A delegation of 16 international students from 14 countries visited Longli River Bridge in Qiannan Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture, Southwest China's Guizhou province, on July 2.

The visit is part of the 2024 "Zhixing Guizhou" Silk Road Youth Exchange Program. The bridge is the world's highest cable-stayed bridge and offers stunning views of the canyon below.

The Longli River Bridge spans 1,260 meters in total length, with a main span of 528 meters, crossing the Duohua Grand Canyon. The towers of the bridge are approximately 400 meters above the canyon floor, while the bridge deck sits about 280 meters above the canyon floor.

The main bridge and towers of the Longli River Bridge feature sightseeing elevators and an aerial viewing platform. Additionally, there are glass skywalks on both sides of the bridge, each extending 528 meters, making it the world's first canyon scenic bridge with both a roadway and a glass skywalk.

For Li Li, an international student from the deserts of Turkmenistan, bridges are a rare sight, making her experience in Guizhou particularly memorable. "This morning, I learned that the Beipan River Bridge, the world's highest bridge, is also in Guizhou. I would love to visit there someday," she said excitedly.

Wu Wenhao, a Pakistani student who has traveled to 25 cities in China, also had a unique experience in Guizhou. While Pakistan's natural scenery shares similarities with Guizhou, the unique regional cuisine and ethnic cultures of Guizhou fascinated him.

Next, the group will continue their journey to Longjing village and Qingyan Ancient Town in Guiyang, where they will experience Miao wax dyeing techniques, singing and dancing with ethnic groups, and appreciate Guizhou's intangible cultural heritage and ethnic customs.