Too many visitors interested in trying China’s glass-bottomed bridge in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon has caused authorities to order the landmark’s closure 13 days after it opened.
BBC reported that the Chinese government closed the 430-meter-long bridge connecting two mountain cliffs in Hunan Province. Despite the bridge overwhelmed by the number of visitors who have walked across it, there have been no accidents recorded or visible signs of crack or breaks.
While the bridge, which closed on Friday, Sept. 2, was designed to accommodate 8,000 daily visitors, about 80,000 tourists want to pass through it every day. It is the world’s highest and longest glass bridge.
Costing $3.4 million, the glass bridge is not for the faint of heart since it hangs 300 meters over a canyon which inspired landscapes in the blockbuster movie “Avatar.”
Park officials announced its closure over its Weibo account, but said it may grant “discretionary admission” to groups this weekend. The sudden closure resulted in social media users venting their ire because some of those planning a weekend visit have cancelled their other schedules.
Another glass-bottomed bridge in China’s Shiniuzhai National Geological Park cracked while tourists were taking selfies, noted Conde Nast.