31-mile Floating Walkway Is China’s New Tourist Attraction

Tourists who come to China typically schedule visits to the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. But this year, a new tourist attraction is offering a novel way for visitors to entertain themselves as the whole structure sits atop a river.

According to China Xinhua News (via The Daily Mail), a floating walkway which stretches a staggering 31 miles has been built atop the Hongshui River in the Luodian County of southwest China. The new tourist attraction is said to have opened on New Year’s Day and has already been visited by over 60,000 tourists.

The walkway is reportedly kept afloat by over 200,000 floating objects, which include a massive cartoon duck right in the middle of it all. During the day, visitors can partake in water sports, such as jet skiing or soaring around the river in water-powered jetpacks. At night, thousands of colored lights illuminate the walkway, giving it a festive air.

China’s new attraction mimics last year’s floating walkway installation in Italy. The walkway, which was set atop Lake Iseo in Northern Italy, was only at the site for three weeks, according to Bored Panda. However, the 2-mile walkway made up of 200,000 high-density polyethylene cubes covered in yellow fabric enchanted visitors as it changed colors when wet.

The walkway in Italy was the brainchild of artist Christo and his late wife, Jeanne-Claude. The artists reportedly did not charge an admission fee for guests to walk the massive installation, as they aimed to create works of art for the public to enjoy free of charge.

It is unclear if the walkway in Hongshui River has an entrance fee.

According to reports, the floating walkway was constructed as a way to promote winter tourism in Luodian County. It is also unknown if the structure will be open to tourists all year round, as the walkway is reportedly built to rise and fall in accordance to the river’s changing water levels.