This children’s article, The world’s tallest bridge to open in China this summer, has been written for native English speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It can help children practise reading and comprehension, learn useful vocabulary, and explore a fascinating new engineering achievement. Written by Sinead O’Carroll, an experienced teacher and writer.
China builds the tallest bridge on Earth
In the mountains of south-west China, something amazing is nearly ready. The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge is expected to open this summer, and when it does, it will be the tallest bridge in the world!
The bridge is being built in Guizhou Province and will stand 625 metres (2,051 feet) above the river below. That’s almost twice as high as the Millau Viaduct in France, which has held the world record for the tallest bridge until now.
Construction began in January 2022 and is planned to finish by 30 June 2025. It has taken three and a half years of hard work, careful planning, and engineering skills to build this sky-high structure.
Why is the bridge so important?
The bridge crosses a deep canyon called the Huajiang Grand Canyon, also known as the “earth crack.” Before the bridge, travelling through this area could take up to two hours, with cars winding around the steep mountain roads. But with the new bridge, the same trip will take less than two minutes!
That means people and goods can move much faster and more safely between the Liuzhi and Anlong Special Districts. This will help the local economy and make life easier for everyone who lives nearby.
A record-breaking region
This is not the first time Guizhou has amazed the world with its bridges. In fact, nearly half of the top 100 tallest bridges in the world are found in this Chinese province. That’s because the area is full of deep valleys and steep cliffs, which makes building bridges both challenging and necessary.
The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge is also incredibly strong. The huge metal trusses used in the build weigh around 22,000 tonnes – that’s as heavy as three Eiffel Towers!
This towering bridge is a symbol of engineering success and shows how modern technology can help people connect across difficult landscapes.
Article vocabulary list
- Bridge – A structure built to cross over something like a river or valley.
- Canyon – A deep valley with steep sides.
- Tallest – The highest in height.
- Trusses – Strong structures that support bridges or roofs.
- Viaduct – A type of bridge made up of several small spans.
- Engineering – The science and design of building things like machines, roads, and bridges.
- Province – An area of a country, like a region or state.
- Economy – The way money and goods move around in a country or area.
Comprehension questions
Just click the plus (+) to see the answer
1. Where is the world’s tallest bridge being built?
a) France
b) China
c) Japan
Answer: b) China
2. How tall will the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge be?
a) 343 metres
b) 500 metres
c) 625 metres
Answer: c) 625 metres
3. What record did the Millau Viaduct in France hold before this?
Answer: It was the tallest bridge in the world.
4. How long did it take to build the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge?
a) 2 years
b) 3 and a half years
c) 5 years
Answer: b) 3 and a half years
5. What is another name for the Huajiang Grand Canyon?
Answer: The “earth crack”
6. How much faster will journeys be across the canyon once the bridge is open?
Answer: The journey will take less than two minutes instead of up to two hours.
Sinead is a writer and EFL teacher with eight years’ experience. She’s a native English speaker who loves making news stories fun and easy to understand for children around the world. Her passions include travel, animals, and helping to make the world a kinder, more sustainable place.
