Difference between revisions of "2015 High Bridge Trip Photo Album"
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But if our trek was generally free of any China travel related mishaps, the second week threw us a surprise in the form of a head cold bug that spread around the SUV, first striking John Hart before a final advance on Richard Scott. Despite this discomfort, John and Richard were fighters and never backed away from another day of bridging even if their bodies were telling them to sleep all day in a hotel room. | But if our trek was generally free of any China travel related mishaps, the second week threw us a surprise in the form of a head cold bug that spread around the SUV, first striking John Hart before a final advance on Richard Scott. Despite this discomfort, John and Richard were fighters and never backed away from another day of bridging even if their bodies were telling them to sleep all day in a hotel room. | ||
+ | |||
+ | 2015 was also a first for aerial bridge photography as my new DJI Phantom 3 drone captured some stunning aerials before I crashed it while photographing the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Footbridge. Luckily the damage was not too severe and I was able to get it repaired in China while I continued to travel in the weeks that followed. | ||
As always this trip could not have happened without the driving and navigating skills of longtime driver Chen and another nice SUV that handled hundreds of kilometers of rough roads with no breakdowns. Finally a big thanks to the many bridge construction leaders and workers as well as the local farmers who were always friendly and inquisitive about why we had come halfway around the world to visit their remote town or village. | As always this trip could not have happened without the driving and navigating skills of longtime driver Chen and another nice SUV that handled hundreds of kilometers of rough roads with no breakdowns. Finally a big thanks to the many bridge construction leaders and workers as well as the local farmers who were always friendly and inquisitive about why we had come halfway around the world to visit their remote town or village. | ||
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[[File:6YangtzeBridgeByDamian.jpg|750px|center]] | [[File:6YangtzeBridgeByDamian.jpg|750px|center]] | ||
− | Image by Damian Kulash Sr. | + | The Yichang Yangtze River Bridge was one of the first long span suspension bridges to cross China's most famous river when it opened in 2001. Image by Damian Kulash Sr. |
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[[File:8YangtzeStringerByJohnHart.jpg|750px|center]] | [[File:8YangtzeStringerByJohnHart.jpg|750px|center]] | ||
− | Image by John Hart. | + | Yichang Yangtze River Bridge steel box stringer connection. Image by John Hart. |
[[File:SUVpuzzleByDamian.jpg|750px|center]] | [[File:SUVpuzzleByDamian.jpg|750px|center]] | ||
− | Image by Damian Kulash Sr. | + | The back area storage space in our SUV was an inch or so smaller then in previous years making for a puzzling challenge on how to most efficiently fit everyone's suitcases in addition to my drone case. Image by Damian Kulash Sr. |
[[File:10LongtanheByDamian.jpg|450px|center]] | [[File:10LongtanheByDamian.jpg|450px|center]] | ||
− | Image by Damian Kulash Sr. | + | Our first giant bridge is the colossal Longtanhe Bridge, one of the largest expressway viaducts in the world with piers 178 meters tall. Image by Damian Kulash Sr. |
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[[File:12Longtanhe2015BaseByEric copy.jpg|750px|center]] | [[File:12Longtanhe2015BaseByEric copy.jpg|750px|center]] | ||
− | Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com | + | The base of each pier was as large as a mansion! Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com |
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[[File:15YexiheRailwaySideByEric copy.jpg|750px|center]] | [[File:15YexiheRailwaySideByEric copy.jpg|750px|center]] | ||
− | Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com | + | The 110 meter high Yexihe Railway Bridge. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com |
[[File:16TieluopingByDamian.jpg|750px|center]] | [[File:16TieluopingByDamian.jpg|750px|center]] | ||
− | Image by Damian Kulash Sr. | + | The Tieluiping Bridge is one of 3 cable stayed bridges on the G56 expressway. Image by Damian Kulash Sr. |
[[File:17ShuanghekouByDamian.jpg|750px|center]] | [[File:17ShuanghekouByDamian.jpg|750px|center]] | ||
− | Image by Damian Kulash Sr. | + | The Shuanghekou Bridge is another giant more then 200 meters high on the G56. Image by Damian Kulash Sr. |
[[File:18TadashiShuanghekouByJohnHart.jpg|750px|center]] | [[File:18TadashiShuanghekouByJohnHart.jpg|750px|center]] | ||
− | Image by John Hart. | + | Local farmers who live near the Shuanghekou Bridge were surprised to see a group of foreigners in their driveway. Image by John Hart. |
[[File:19BreakfastNearSiduhe.jpg|750px|center]] | [[File:19BreakfastNearSiduhe.jpg|750px|center]] | ||
− | Image by by Han Ruoyu. | + | Breakfast in Yesanguan city. Image by by Han Ruoyu. |
[[File:20SiduheByDamian.jpg|750px|center]] | [[File:20SiduheByDamian.jpg|750px|center]] | ||
− | Image by Damian Kulash Sr. | + | The breaktaking Siduhe Bridge - still the highest suspension span in the world at 496 meters. Image by Damian Kulash Sr. |
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[[File:25SiduheDroneEricByTadashi.jpg|750px|center]] | [[File:25SiduheDroneEricByTadashi.jpg|750px|center]] | ||
− | Image by Tadashi Ashimi. | + | Siduhe Bridge was the first place in China I used my new drone. Image by Tadashi Ashimi. |
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[[File:34SiduheTadashi.jpg|750px|center]] | [[File:34SiduheTadashi.jpg|750px|center]] | ||
− | Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com | + | Tadashi Ashimi smiles during the first of several perilous poses during the trip. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com |
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[[File:39YesanheByJohnHart.jpg|750px|center]] | [[File:39YesanheByJohnHart.jpg|750px|center]] | ||
− | Image by John Hart. | + | Although it may not seem so high at 125 meters, the concrete Yesanhe arch bridge was the highest in China upon its completion in 1977. Image by John Hart. |
[[File:40YesanhePipelineByDamian.jpg|750px|center]] | [[File:40YesanhePipelineByDamian.jpg|750px|center]] | ||
− | Image by Damian Kulash Sr. | + | Paralleling the older arch is a new Yesanhe Pipeline Bridge that was completed in 2009. Image by Damian Kulash Sr. |
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[[File:44EnshiStoneArchByEric copy.jpg|750px|center]] | [[File:44EnshiStoneArchByEric copy.jpg|750px|center]] | ||
− | Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com | + | Built in 1970, the Xiaoduchuan stone arch bridge over the Qingjiang River has a span of 96.8 meters, more then any stone bridge ever built in Europe except for one. China is home to the world's 20 longest stone arch bridges. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com |
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[[File:47EnshiCableStayedByHan.jpg|600px|center]] | [[File:47EnshiCableStayedByHan.jpg|600px|center]] | ||
− | Image by Han Ruoyu. | + | This single tower cable stayed bridge bypasses the older arch which is now only open to pedestrians. Image by Han Ruoyu. |
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[[File:48EnshiExtradosedByJohnHart.jpg|750px|center]] | [[File:48EnshiExtradosedByJohnHart.jpg|750px|center]] | ||
− | Image by John Hart. | + | Enshi is another fast growing Hubei Province metropolis and this new extradosed bridge across the Qingjiang will allow more growth in the north end of the city. Image by John Hart. |
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[[File:50EnshiSuspensionByRichard.jpg|450px|center]] | [[File:50EnshiSuspensionByRichard.jpg|450px|center]] | ||
− | Image by Richard Scott. | + | This short span suspension bridge is also new, crossing the Qingjiang even further north. Image by Richard Scott. |
[[File:51EnshiWind&RainByEric copy.jpg|750px|center]] | [[File:51EnshiWind&RainByEric copy.jpg|750px|center]] | ||
− | Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com | + | The huge Qingjiang wind and rain bridge is made to look like a classic wood crossing but is actually made of concrete. On humid summer nights, throngs of locals are packed inside it from one end to the other. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com |
[[File:EnshiDinnerByJohn.jpg|750px|center]] | [[File:EnshiDinnerByJohn.jpg|750px|center]] | ||
− | Image by Damian Kulash Sr. | + | A buffet style dinner near the wind and rain bridge allowed driver to Chen to eat more food then the rest of us combined! Image by Damian Kulash Sr. |
[[File:54TadashiTeaByDamian.jpg|750px|center]] | [[File:54TadashiTeaByDamian.jpg|750px|center]] | ||
− | Image by Damian Kulash Sr. | + | Tadashi Ashimi shows us the proper way to prepare his home grown tea leaves. Image by Damian Kulash Sr. |
Line 251: | Line 253: | ||
[[File:56EnshiBreakfastByJohnHart.jpg|750px|center]] | [[File:56EnshiBreakfastByJohnHart.jpg|750px|center]] | ||
− | Image by John Hart. | + | A morning noodle breakfast at an Enshi street front restaurant. Image by John Hart. |
Line 263: | Line 265: | ||
[[File:52QianjiangSingleTowerByEric copy.jpg|750px|center]] | [[File:52QianjiangSingleTowerByEric copy.jpg|750px|center]] | ||
− | Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com | + | The G50 crosses the mighty Qingjiang River on this single tower cable stayed bridge with a spans of 220 meters. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com |
[[File:53EnshiPierBrokenHouse copy.jpg|750px|center]] | [[File:53EnshiPierBrokenHouse copy.jpg|750px|center]] | ||
− | Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com | + | This house was cut into two for the new expressway between Enshi and Qianjiang City. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com |
Revision as of 04:08, 31 December 2015
2015 China High Bridge Trip Photo Album
Hubei and Hunan Provinces
The 2-week 2015 High Bridge trip was another wild adventure through China's most beautiful mountain provinces of Hubei, Hunan, Guizhou and Yunnan. As in past trips, our guests were mostly retirees from around the globe. Canadian Richard Scott returned for his second high bridge tour having first come along in 2013. Australian bridge engineer John Hart kept up the tradition of an Australian having been on all of my trips while Tadashi Ashimi became the first bridge fan from Japan to visit the high bridges of Western China. Rounding out the entourage was Damian Kulash of the U.S. who has always loved traditional Chinese stone bridges but was interested in experiencing a new type of super span that represent the modern era of Chinese engineering. Our always helpful and knowledgeable translator Han Ruoyu was yet another bright Tongji University bridge engineering student.
As in previous high bridge tours, we came across many bridges that were in various stages of construction including the epic Qingshuihe suspension bridge, the soaring Beipanjiang Qinglong Railway arch and the towering Beipanjiang Duge and Yachi cable stayed bridges. Other record breaking spans included the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Footbridge that was half complete, still waiting for nicer weather before cable spinning could finally begin in the days after our visit.
In Western China the year of 2015 will definitely be remembered as one of seemingly endless rain. This afforded our group of bridge photographers some of the most vivid greenery imaginable during the occasional moments of sunshine. But if the sun was often playing hide and seek we were at least lucky that rain seemed to arrive only at night or when we were driving to our next bridge.
But if our trek was generally free of any China travel related mishaps, the second week threw us a surprise in the form of a head cold bug that spread around the SUV, first striking John Hart before a final advance on Richard Scott. Despite this discomfort, John and Richard were fighters and never backed away from another day of bridging even if their bodies were telling them to sleep all day in a hotel room.
2015 was also a first for aerial bridge photography as my new DJI Phantom 3 drone captured some stunning aerials before I crashed it while photographing the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Footbridge. Luckily the damage was not too severe and I was able to get it repaired in China while I continued to travel in the weeks that followed.
As always this trip could not have happened without the driving and navigating skills of longtime driver Chen and another nice SUV that handled hundreds of kilometers of rough roads with no breakdowns. Finally a big thanks to the many bridge construction leaders and workers as well as the local farmers who were always friendly and inquisitive about why we had come halfway around the world to visit their remote town or village.
Look for an even more exciting Chinese adventure in 2017 when we once again visit more than 50 of the world's highest spans including tours of the highest road, railway and footbridge!
The special spans visited during the first week included Longtanhe, Siduhe, Zhongjianhe, Aizhai, Mengdonghe, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass and Wujiang Railway and expressway bridges.
The most unusual aspect of the 2015 trip may well have been the very first item on our itinerary - attending an OK Go concert in Shanghai. Bridge fan Damian Kulash Sr. is the father of OK Go lead singer Damian Kulash Jr. and coincidentally the band's show was playing the night before our flight out to Western China. The music videos of OK Go are among the most clever ever created with elaborate choreography that is often done in long takes requiring precise timing with both mechanical props and fellow band mates. The group's breakout video "Here We Go Again" was directed by Damian's dance choreographer daughter Trish Sie making for a family with very creative genes. Image by Ric Turner.
Image by Ric Turner.
Image by John Hart.
The Yichang Yangtze River Bridge was one of the first long span suspension bridges to cross China's most famous river when it opened in 2001. Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by John Hart.
Yichang Yangtze River Bridge steel box stringer connection. Image by John Hart.
The back area storage space in our SUV was an inch or so smaller then in previous years making for a puzzling challenge on how to most efficiently fit everyone's suitcases in addition to my drone case. Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Our first giant bridge is the colossal Longtanhe Bridge, one of the largest expressway viaducts in the world with piers 178 meters tall. Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image from Tadashi Ashimi.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
The base of each pier was as large as a mansion! Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
The 110 meter high Yexihe Railway Bridge. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
The Tieluiping Bridge is one of 3 cable stayed bridges on the G56 expressway. Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
The Shuanghekou Bridge is another giant more then 200 meters high on the G56. Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Local farmers who live near the Shuanghekou Bridge were surprised to see a group of foreigners in their driveway. Image by John Hart.
Breakfast in Yesanguan city. Image by by Han Ruoyu.
The breaktaking Siduhe Bridge - still the highest suspension span in the world at 496 meters. Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by by Han Ruoyu.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Siduhe Bridge was the first place in China I used my new drone. Image by Tadashi Ashimi.
Image by Tadashi Ashimi.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Tadashi Ashimi.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Tadashi Ashimi smiles during the first of several perilous poses during the trip. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Richard Scott.
Although it may not seem so high at 125 meters, the concrete Yesanhe arch bridge was the highest in China upon its completion in 1977. Image by John Hart.
Paralleling the older arch is a new Yesanhe Pipeline Bridge that was completed in 2009. Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Built in 1970, the Xiaoduchuan stone arch bridge over the Qingjiang River has a span of 96.8 meters, more then any stone bridge ever built in Europe except for one. China is home to the world's 20 longest stone arch bridges. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
This single tower cable stayed bridge bypasses the older arch which is now only open to pedestrians. Image by Han Ruoyu.
Image by John Hart.
Enshi is another fast growing Hubei Province metropolis and this new extradosed bridge across the Qingjiang will allow more growth in the north end of the city. Image by John Hart.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
This short span suspension bridge is also new, crossing the Qingjiang even further north. Image by Richard Scott.
The huge Qingjiang wind and rain bridge is made to look like a classic wood crossing but is actually made of concrete. On humid summer nights, throngs of locals are packed inside it from one end to the other. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
A buffet style dinner near the wind and rain bridge allowed driver to Chen to eat more food then the rest of us combined! Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Tadashi Ashimi shows us the proper way to prepare his home grown tea leaves. Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
A morning noodle breakfast at an Enshi street front restaurant. Image by John Hart.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Richard Scott.
The G50 crosses the mighty Qingjiang River on this single tower cable stayed bridge with a spans of 220 meters. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
This house was cut into two for the new expressway between Enshi and Qianjiang City. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by John Hart.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image from Tadashi Ashimi.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Richard Scott
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Han Ruoyu.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by John Hart.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Han Ruoyu.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by John Hart.
Image from John Hart.
Image by Han Ruoyu.
Image by Han Ruoyu.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Lorna.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Lorna.
Image by Lorna.
Image by Lorna.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image from Tadashi Ashimi.
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image from Tadashi Ashimi.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by John Hart.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by John Hart.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by John Hart.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by John Hart.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by John Hart.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by Han Ruoyu.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by John Hart.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Richard Scott.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image from Tadashi Ashimi.
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com
Image by Han Ruoyu.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Image by John Hart.
Image by Damian Kulash Sr.
Click on Page 2 for Week Two with views of the Guizhou Province Bridges and More!