World’s longest and highest glass bridge in China forced to shut after TWO WEEKS because of surge in visitors
The structure is 1,400 feet long and suspended 1,000 feet above ground level
THE world's highest and longest bridge has been forced close after it was "overwhelmed by the volume of visitors".
The glass-bottomed structure, which is 1,400 feet long and suspended 1,000 feet above ground level officially opened to visitors in China just 13 days ago.
The official line was that the government was planning urgent maintenance work in the area and the bridge closed on Friday, with a re-opening time to be announced.
But a spokesman is said to have told CNN the was "overwhelmed by the volume of visitors".
He stressed there had been no accidents and the bridge was not cracked or broken.
The glass bridge, designed by Israeli architect Haim Dotan, can accommodate 8,000 visitors a day.
But it is thought 10 times as many people wanted access daily.
Officials at the park announced the closure in a social media post and said the government urgently needed to upgrade the area.
The post said that tour groups who had planned to see the bridge - which will allow people to bungee jump or ride a zip line - might have "discretionary admission".
In response to the announcement, one social media user wrote: "I have booked everything and now you are saying you are closed... Are you kidding me?"
Another event saw a car being towed along it to test the strength of the 99 panels of clear glass.
"I wanted to feel awe-inspired by this bridge. But I'm not afraid -- it seems safe!" said Wang Min, who was visiting the new structure with her husband and children.
The bridge connects two mountain cliffs in Zhangjiajie park in China's central Hunan province.
Officials already say the bridge has already set world records for its architecture and construction.
"It's crowded today and a bit of a mess. But to be suspended 300 metres in the air, it's a unique experience," said Lin Chenglu, who had come to see the bridge with his colleagues.
At six meters wide, the bridge can carry up to 800 people at a time.
But selfie fans look set to be disappointed after officials banned the use of cameras and selfie sticks while walking across the bridge and people wearing stilettos will also be unable to cross.
Authorities also say the bridge has a Hollywood influence after a Hollywood photographer visited the area in 2008, taking images which were used for American blockbuster Avatar.
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