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Glass skywalk on China's Mount Luifeng offers thrilling views

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • A new glass-bottomed skywalk on Mount Luifeng in Guilin, China, offers breathtaking, albeit terrifying, views of the karst landscape.
  • The attraction, featuring a cable car, suspension bridge, and glass pathways, has become a major draw for tourists, particularly South Koreans.
  • The skywalk provides a thrilling experience, allowing visitors to walk over sheer cliffs and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the region.

Mount Luifeng, the highest peak in Yangshuo, Guilin, China, has become a must-visit destination, offering an exhilarating blend of natural beauty and daring modern infrastructure. Visitors ascend via a cable car to a viewpoint connected by a suspension bridge, where they are met with a dizzying panorama of the surrounding karst mountains.

The mountains and waters of Guilin are the finest under heaven.

— Chinese proverbA well-known saying describing the scenic beauty of Guilin.

The attraction's centerpiece is its series of glass pathways, including a dramatic skywalk clinging to the sheer cliff face. This pathway, described as resembling a dragon's tail, provides an unparalleled perspective of the thousands of peaks that define the Guilin landscape. The experience is designed to evoke a sense of awe and slight fear, with the glass floor revealing a sheer drop below. The 138-meter-long skywalk, constructed from 68 reinforced glass panels, allows visitors to feel as though they are walking on air, suspended above a vast expanse.

The dizzying landscape unfolds before your eyes. Below is a thousand-foot drop. The bridge floor is made of corrosion-resistant wood, 4 centimeters thick.

— Article textDescribing the suspension bridge leading to the skywalk.

Guilin, known for its picturesque scenery immortalized in the saying "Guilin's mountains and waters are the finest under heaven," draws numerous tourists. The recent surge in visitors, particularly from South Korea, is attributed to factors like visa-free entry for South Koreans since November 2024, relatively affordable travel costs, and local cuisine that appeals to Korean palates. The number of Korean visitors is projected to more than double by December compared to the previous year, according to flight data from airlines like Jeju Air and Jin Air.

The red glass pathway installed below the bridge, resembling a dancing dragon's tail, is also visible.

— Article textDescribing the visual appearance of the glass pathway.

The skywalk experience is further enhanced by its integration with the natural environment. The unique karst formations, dating back 500 million years to the Cambrian period, have been recognized by National Geographic as among the world's most beautiful peak forests. The sensation of walking on the glass path, with the wind whistling past and the dramatic scenery unfolding, has been likened to moments from martial arts novels, offering a profound connection with the raw power and beauty of nature. The thrill of the skywalk is intended to create lasting memories, with the slight fear experienced on the glass amplifying the visual spectacle.

The slight fear experienced on this day will make Guilin unforgettable.

— Article textReflecting on the emotional impact of the skywalk experience.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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