Qingshuihe Railway Bridge

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Qingshuihe Railway Bridge
清水河大桥
Qingshuihezhen, Guizhou, China
590 feet high / 180 meters high
420 foot span / 128 meter span
2000

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The 5th highest railway bridge in the world, the Qingshuihe bridge is located deep in the mountains of Western China’s Guizhou province near the border of Yunnan province. A simple prestressed continuous rigid-frame bridge with a main span of 420 feet (128 meters), the span crosses a spectacular canyon of the Qingshui River filled with cascading waterfalls.

If you visit the region, also be sure to check out nearby Maling gorge. Not only are there are two major road bridges across the Maling River more than 328 feet (100 meters) high but there are several trails that descend to the bottom of the cliff enclosed canyon. Here you can view dozens of waterfalls that cascade into the gorge from a walkway cut into the lower cliffs along the Maling river. The water erosion has created many caves and unique rock formations that hang over portions of the walkway. Some look like mushrooms or tapestries. The river is also one of the most popular places in Guizhou province for canoeing, kayaking and rafting. In 1994 Maling gorge was declared an official National Scenic Spot. There is also rafting on the much larger Nanpanjiang river nearby. There are very basic hotel accommodations about 6 miles (10 kilometers) away in the city of Xingyi. You can reach Xingyi on a 12 hour bus ride from Yunnan’s capital city of Kunming or Guizhou’s capital city of Guiyang.



Qingshuihe Railway Bridge Elevation


世界第5高度铁路桥,清水河大桥位于中国西部省份贵州的、靠近云南的深山中。简单的预应力连续刚构桥,主跨128米,跨越过险峻的瀑布多挂的清水河大峡谷

如果你去游览该地,也一定记住要去看看附近的马岭河大峡谷。不仅仅那里有两座跨越马岭河的100米高的公路大桥,还有着许多可以直达悬崖峭壁之谷底的小径。然后你就能欣赏到许多的瀑布坠入峡谷之中,然后沿着马岭河延安的低矮的崖壁上的人行道上切削而下。水的冲击力已经创造了许多的山东和一些独特的挂在人行步道上的岩石。一些看起来想蘑菇或者挂毯。马岭河还是贵州省漂流旅游最终名的去处之一。1994年马岭河大峡谷被列为国家级风景名胜。另外,在附近的南盘江上还有着筏运存在。在马岭河以西6英里(10公里)远的兴义市有一些宾馆旅游接待处。从云南昆明或者贵州贵阳出发,你可以通过12个小时的汽车车程到达这里。


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Motorcycles are not allowed across the bridge but people can walk across. You are required to sign in to a log by an officer on the west end of the bridge. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by John Filmer.


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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The moment before John and me had our hats blown off! Mine was never recovered. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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A catenary suspension bridge catwalk was built next to the railway bridge for construction workers. The footbridge has fallen into disrepair and can no longer be used. The deck is approximately 262 feet (80 meters) above the river. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by flily.


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Locals use the railway bridge to get across the river. On the east end they must cross over the tracks through this switchback gate. The reason for the barriers is simple - you are forced to look in both directions to ensure you don't walk in front of an oncoming train. A simple but very effective safety trick, especially for a crossing located in front of a tunnel entrance. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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A bridge access ladder that descends directly above the river some 180 meters below. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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The west end pier is 100 meters from foundation to the underside of the beam. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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East end approach spans. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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After crossing a small patch of land on the east side, the track continues across another small viaduct before terminating into a tunnel. Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by Eric Sakowski / HighestBridges.com


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Image by flily.


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The Qingshuihe River gorge before construction of the railway bridge.


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Image by Xinhuanet.


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Qingshuihe River Railway bridge map with the crossing shown in red. The blue river is misaligned on the terrain.