6 incredible examples of walk-on glass in business and tourism
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There are many glass bridges and walk-on structures around the world that delight and affright in equal measure. Take a look at 6 of the best.
Glass is a versatile material. Still, you have to wonder who first had the idea to use it for walk-on structures.
Many people will never be convinced to walk on a glass walkway or enter a glass box high above the French Alps. But for others, it's a thrill like no other. And even those who sit out the experience can admire the craftsmanship from below.
In this article, we take a look at six of the most amazing walk-on glass structures in business and tourism.
1. Tower Bridge, London
Tower Bridge was built in the late nineteenth century across the River Thames near the Tower of London. Though today it's famous for its looks, Tower Bridge was built with a specific purpose in mind – to provide better access to the East End, which at the time was a hotbed of commercial development.
Its high-level open-air walkways now boast a spectacular glass floor – but for a long time, these walkways were shut, gaining a reputation in the early 1900s as a hang-out for pickpockets and ne'er-do-wells.
It was only in 1982 that it was reopened, now with a new glass floor. The walkways, 42 metres above the River Thames and stretching 61 metres between the two towers, offer impressive views of the Docklands, Canary Wharf and Greenwich to the east. Look west, meanwhile, and you can marvel at the Tower of London, St Paul's Cathedral and the Shard. And, of course, there's the mighty river itself at your feet.
The bridge is free to cross but you need a ticket to explore the glass walkways.
2. Hotel Riu Plaza España, Madrid
The Plaza de España is one of Madrid's most sought-out squares – not least because of its monument to Miguel de Cervantes, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the Spanish language and author of the first modern novel
Don Quixote.
This classic book features many descriptions of its protagonist's madness in terms of doors, rooms and attics. So, it seems apt that the square is also home to a mad glass creation: a comb-shaped glass walkway that joins the two parts of the hotel's 27th-floor terrace.
While brave souls will stride across unperturbed, the wobblier traveller will be pleased to know that drinks are available on the terrace to steady the nerves.
3. Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, China
The city of Zhangjiajie in landlocked Hunan is famous for its National Forest Park – an area so fine that it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. For a long time, it was also home to the world's longest glass bridge.
Designed by Israeli architect Haim Dotan, it's a remarkable construction – 430 metres long, six metres wide, and 300 metres above the ground (to put that in perspective, it's about as tall as the Chrysler Building skyscraper in New York City). It has the capacity to carry up to 800 visitors at any one time.
Glass bridges are ten-a-yuan in China, with over 2,300 dotted around the country. But this bridge's location makes it extra-special.
It's perhaps the bridge's views which are the most remarkable. The Grand Canyon of Zhangjiajie is a place of otherworldly beauty – so much so that it inspired some of the landscapes in
Avatar.
As well as providing glorious views of the canyon, the glass bridge is also a popular spot for bungee jumpers.
4. Aiguille du Midi, France
Aiguille du Midi – literally "needle at midday" – is a 3,842-metre-tall mountain in the French Alps. Visitors to the area will often take a cable car to the snowy needle, bringing them closer to Mont Blanc, a jewel in the Alpine crown.
It's been home to the world's highest cable car since 1955. But 2013 saw the opening of a curious, and some would say terrifying, addition. This is a glass box called "Step into the Void".
Visitors can step into the box and look down – if they dare. The ground is a staggering 1,035 metres away.
While some people will never be convinced to step into the transparent void, others may be reassured to know that the box is built to withstand winds of up to 200 kilometres per hour and is made out of three layers of glass.
5. Tokyo Skytree, Japan
Tokyo Skytree is a broadcasting and observation tower. It's the third tallest structure in the world after the Merdeka 118 (Kuala Lumpur) and Burj Khalifa (Dubai).
While it serves a purpose as the primary TV and radio broadcast site for the Kantō region of Japan, it also features many tourist attractions: from shops, restaurants and an aquarium at the bottom to airborne cafes, shops and observation decks.
These observation decks occur at 350 metres and 450 metres high. The upper observatory shows off a spiral-shaped glass-covered walkway with a section of see-through flooring. Visitors can look directly down at the bustling Tokyo streets.
6. Bach Long Bridge, Vietnam
Bach Long – meaning "White Dragon" – is located in the Moc Chau district in Son La, north Vietnam. It was opened after lockdown restrictions were lifted as a way to bring tourism to the area.
At the time of writing, the bridge is the world's longest at 633 metres across. One section of the walkway hugs the side of the mountain, while another stretches between two peaks. It's built to hold up to 450 people at a time.
As you'd expect, the mountainous region offers phenomenal views. Bach Long gives tourists a new and thrilling way to experience them.
Final thoughts
So there you have it – six of the most remarkable walk-on glass structures the world has to offer. It's thanks to industrial glass processing that such sights are possible – and here at ToughGlaze, we're proud to be part of that industry.
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walk-on glass? Don't hesitate to
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