Veteran host Janis Chan, known for the “The Endless Way” documentary series, explored China’s ascent as a “Bridge Strong Nation” in the latest installment of “The Endless Way V: Boundless Wisdom.” The episode, focusing on the exceptionally mountainous province of Guizhou, highlighted how innovative engineering is conquering the region’s difficult terrain—which historically earned it the moniker “a place where land is smooth for less than three li [a kilometer].” With mountains covering over 92.5% of its landmass, Guizhou now boasts nearly 30,000 bridges, the highest concentration in China, transforming geography into opportunity.
Conquering the Impossible: The Pingtan Bridge
Chan’s journey began at the Pingtan Bridge, often called the “Bridge to the Sky” due to its deck soaring 332 meters above the valley floor—equivalent to standing atop a roughly 110-story skyscraper. The bridge’s lead engineer, Wang Qian, detailed the extraordinary challenges faced during construction, particularly mitigating the fierce, unpredictable winds whipping through the steep, forested valleys.
To overcome these obstacles, the team pioneered several technological breakthroughs. Innovations, including specialized “airship conducted pilot cables” (allowing components to be delivered efficiently across vast spans) and “bridge-deck mobile crane cantilever assembly,” enabled rapid mobilization and installation of materials in remote areas. This combination of cutting-edge design and novel construction methods earned the Pingtan Bridge the prestigious Gustav Lindenthal Medal—widely regarded as the “Nobel Prize of the bridge world”—alongside two other major international accolades, achieving a rare “International Bridge Engineering Grand Slam.”
Sustainable Infrastructure and Global Records
The documentary also showcased the Huayudong Bridge, another recipient of the Gustav Lindenthal Medal. This structure is a testament to sustainable engineering, utilizing the world’s first-of-its-kind technique: “building a new arch on the old bridge, then dismantling the old bridge with the new arch.” This ingenious approach allowed the reconstruction to be completed with virtually zero environmental pollution, embodying the engineering mantra of “when constrained, adapt; when adapted, succeed.” This reflected decades of relentless effort and a pioneering spirit among Chinese engineers and technical teams dedicated to completing massive infrastructure projects sustainably.
Chan also visited the spectacular Huanjiang Grand Canyon Bridge—which was nearing official opening during the filming period last September. Spanning a 200-million-year-old canyon, the bridge floor rests 625 meters above the valley bottom, a height topping 200 stories, making it the world’s tallest bridge. The sheer scale of the project is staggering: its supporting steel cables stretch a total length of 93,000 kilometers—enough to wrap around the Earth more than twice.
Smart Design and Future Tourism
According to renowned Chinese bridge engineer Han Hongju, the Huanjiang Grand Canyon Bridge integrates advanced smart technology for functions like moisture and fire resistance, significantly extending the structure’s lifespan. Chan ventured into the bridge’s interior, revealing plans for its evolution beyond vehicular travel.
The massive structure is being transformed into a “Cloud Tourism Complex,” blending high-altitude infrastructure with leisure travel. While the upper deck will continue to serve traffic, the space below the bridge deck is being converted into scenic viewing corridors. Future plans include the development of diverse tourism elements, such as paragliding launch points, and specialized water-curtain performances, creating a unique destination attraction.
The ongoing “The Endless Way V” series transcends bridges, exploring China’s front lines of technological advancement across more than a dozen provinces. The series covers innovations in artificial intelligence, new energy vehicles, high-speed rail, robotics, and smart factories, illustrating the systemic transition from “Made in China” to “Intelligently Made in China,” redefining the country’s manufacturing and innovation profile globally.