Grand Canyon & glass bridge at a glance
The Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon (张家界大峡谷, Zhāngjiājiè Dàxiágǔ) is a separately ticketed scenic area in Cili County (慈利县), distinct from Wulingyuan/the National Forest Park and from Tianmen Mountain. Its main draw is a glass-bottomed pedestrian bridge spanning the canyon, which opened in 2016 and was widely reported at the time as the world's highest and longest glass-bottomed bridge. The area also has canyon-floor walking trails and waterfalls below the bridge.
- Chinese name: 张家界大峡谷 (Zhāngjiājiè Dàxiágǔ)
- Location: Cili County (慈利县) — a separate area from Wulingyuan and Tianmen Mountain, with its own admission
- Opened: 2016 — widely reported at the time as the world's highest and longest glass-bottomed bridge
- What else is there: Canyon-floor hiking trails and waterfalls beneath the bridge, and a bungee-jump add-on at some periods
- Access rules: Glass-surface attractions in China commonly require shoe covers and restrict certain footwear — confirm current rules on-site
- Weather sensitivity: Glass-bridge attractions can pause operation in high wind, heavy rain or fog — confirm current status before you travel
What to expect at the Grand Canyon
Most visits combine a walk across the glass bridge with time on the canyon-floor trail below, which shows the structure from a different angle and passes waterfalls. Ticketing structures for the canyon and the bridge have changed over time — confirm current combined-admission options with the official ticket office before you go.
- Compare the Grand Canyon with Wulingyuan and Tianmen Mountain
- Fit it into a multi-day itinerary
- How to get to Zhangjiajie
- Bring flat, secure shoes — glass surfaces commonly require shoe covers and restrict high heels.
Grand Canyon activities compared
| Activity | What it involves | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Glass bridge walk | Crossing the glass-bottomed bridge over the canyon | The main reason most visitors come |
| Canyon-floor trail | Walking below the bridge past waterfalls, with views up at the structure | Visitors who want a different perspective and more time outdoors |
| Bungee jump (where offered) | An optional paid add-on at the bridge, availability and pricing subject to change | Thrill-seekers specifically looking for it — confirm current availability before planning around it |
Common mistakes at the Grand Canyon
Assuming the glass bridge is inside Wulingyuan or the National Forest Park
The Grand Canyon and its glass bridge are a separate ticketed area in Cili County, with their own admission and their own transfer time from the city and from Wulingyuan.
Wearing shoes that aren't allowed on the glass surface
High heels and certain footwear are commonly restricted on glass-floored attractions in China, and shoe covers are often required. Bring flat, secure shoes.
Not checking weather-related closures
Glass bridges can suspend operation in high wind, heavy rain or fog. Build a buffer day into your itinerary if this is a priority stop.
Skipping the canyon-floor trail entirely
Visitors who only cross the bridge and leave miss the perspective from below, where the trail passes waterfalls beneath the structure.
Grand Canyon & glass bridge FAQ
- No. The glass bridge and the Grand Canyon area are separately ticketed and located in Cili County, apart from Wulingyuan/the National Forest Park and from Tianmen Mountain.
- It opened to the public in 2016 and was widely reported at the time as the world's highest and longest glass-bottomed bridge.
- Glass-floored attractions in China commonly require shoe covers and restrict certain footwear such as high heels. Confirm the current rule on-site and bring flat, secure shoes.
- Yes — glass-bridge attractions can pause operation in high wind, heavy rain or fog. Check current status before you travel, especially if the bridge is your main reason for visiting Zhangjiajie.
- A bungee-jump add-on has been offered at the bridge at various times, subject to availability and pricing that can change — confirm current status with the official ticket office.
- It's a separate area requiring its own transfer, further from the city center than Tianmen Mountain. Allow a dedicated block of time rather than treating it as a quick add-on to another area.
Add the glass bridge to your Zhangjiajie plan
The Grand Canyon glass bridge fits naturally into a 2-3 day Zhangjiajie stay alongside the National Forest Park and Tianmen Mountain.
See the 2-day highlights tourAsk about adding the Grand Canyon
Sources and review
Opening date and general scale figures for the glass bridge are widely reported in travel and structural-engineering coverage; DragonTrail has not independently verified exact dimensions. Confirm current tickets, footwear rules and weather-related operating status directly with the official ticket office before you travel.
- UNESCO World Heritage List — Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area — https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/640
- Article last reviewed: August 2026.