Cover image via @hpqj8888 (Douyin)
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A highway in China is drawing global attention after a viral aerial video captured the dramatic sight of it cutting through split mountains
The video, posted by China's Foreign Affairs Ministry Spokesperson's Instagram account on Saturday, 2 August, has since been reposted by various Chinese media outlets.
According to Guizhou Online Radio and Television Station, the 152km highway, named the Liuzhi-Anlong Expressway, had an approved budget of 24 billion yuan (about RM14 billion).
Upon completion, it will feature 14 interchanges, connecting the southern part of Liuzhi city, Guanling County, Zhenfeng County, and Anlong County.
Below are the video and photos of the highway:
The project also involves the construction of the highest bridge in the world
Beginning construction in 2022, the 1.4km-long Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge will sit 625m above the Beipanjiang River, just slightly shorter than the height of Merdeka 118.
The bridge will cut travel time between Liuzhi and Anlong from three hours to just 1.5 hours, facilitating resource connectivity and economic development in Guizhou, reported China Daily.
In addition to linking two counties, the bridge is set to become a tourist attraction, offering one-hour tours at the breathtaking site, known locally as the 'Crack of the Earth', and drawing visitors to nearby destinations like Huangguoshu Waterfall.
"When the bridge opens in the second half of 2025, this super project spanning the 'Crack of the Earth' will showcase China's outstanding civil engineering capabilities and become a new landmark demonstrating our country's engineering and innovation strength," Modern Diplomacy quoted Guizhou Highway Group chief engineer Zhang Shenglin as saying.
With 92.5% of Guizhou covered by mountains and hills, the highway promises to transform the region, helping farmers reach markets, boosting tourism, and attracting investment.
How was the highway built?
The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge features a steel truss suspension design weighing around 22,000 tonnes — roughly the weight of three Eiffel Towers.
The truss was assembled in just two months, showcasing the speed and sophistication of Chinese engineering.
As for the mountain crevasses, Spanish news outlet Diario AS reported that engineers used explosives, large drills, and precision excavation to carve a wide corridor through rugged peaks, creating a V-shaped fissure for the highway to pass through.
The area features a karst landscape (limestone mountainous terrains) with steep mountains and deep valleys, making construction extremely difficult.
Diario AS reported that environmental groups had warned that splitting mountains could trigger landslides, accelerate soil erosion, and destroy wildlife habitats.
"Such concerns echoed a wider debate over China's development model: the balance between economic gain and environmental cost.
"Beijing has pledged to pursue greener infrastructure, but projects like the Guizhou highway suggest speed and scale remain the top priorities," noted the Spanish news outlet.
Below is another video of the highway:
