Skywalking is the practice of walking across intentionally constructed glass bridges suspended high in the sky. Skywalking is often undertook as part of an organized tour and requires a certain level of physical and mental strength. The heart-racing experience of walking on glass bridges is guaranteed to provide thrills and spine tingling sensations.
Skywalking has become increasingly popular as more and more glass bridges are opened each year. Although there are some obvious risks associated with skywalking, the guided tours generally take the necessary precautions to make sure that the experience is an enjoyable and safe one. In this article, we will discuss and explore some of the world’s best places for skywalking and the science and thrill behind it.
The Science Behind Skywalking
Skywalking is made possible using advanced engineering and science. The glass bridges consist of a number of layers of materials, including metal, plastic, and obviously glass. They must be able to withstand a large amount of force and weight, yet remain lightweight enough to remain suspended in mid air.
The engineering behind glass bridges is incredibly advanced and requires extensive calculations to make sure that the structure can safely hold the weight of the walkers and any other external elements that may affect the bridge such as wind and rain. In order to make sure it can withstand such forces, there are multiple layers of metal and plastic that are wrapped around the edge of the bridge and in between the glass panels.
The Thrill of Skywalking
One of the main attractions of skywalking is the thrilling experience that it offers. Some people may find it incredibly nerve wracking to walk on glass, while others feel exhilarated by the experience. Regardless, skywalking will be an adrenaline filled experience for most.
There is no denying that there is a certain sense of accomplishment when you have successfully made it across a glass bridge suspended hundreds of feet in the sky. It’s an experience that not many can boast about and can give you a unique glimpse at the world from a completely different perspective.
Best Places for Skywalking
Now that we have explored the science and thrill of skywalking, let’s take a look at some of the best places in the world for skywalking.
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Grand Canyon Skywalk:
The Grand Canyon Skywalk is the world’s first, and probably most famous, glass bridge. The bridge is located in the Grand Canyon, on the Hualapai Indian Reservation. Skywalking here will give you a panoramic, and sometimes terrifying, view of the Californian landscape below. -
Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge: The Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge is located in the Hunan Province in China. This magnificent glass structure is suspended 300 meters above the ground and is constructed from 99 panels of transparent glass.
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The Orsiro in Zurich:
The Orsiro in Zurich is a hardened glass bridge suspended between three mountain peaks. With a total height of 8,310 feet above the ground, this bridge is the highest and longest glass bridge in the world. -
Port Gamble SkyBridge:
The Port Gamble SkyBridge is a glass bridge suspended above Puget Sound in Washington state. This bridge is perfect for those who want to experience the thrill of walking on glass without the fear of being so high up. -
Nancy’s Sky Garden:
Located in Dorset, UK, Nancy’s Sky Garden is a beautiful glass structure that floats across Swanage Pier. The bridge is lit up in the evenings, transforming it into a magical place to explore with spectacular views of the south coast. -
The Shard Skywalk:
The Shard Skywalk is a glass bridge suspended between the two viewing platforms of the famous London landmark – the Shard. The bridge offers jaw-dropping views of the city and is an incredible way to get a bird’s-eye view of London.
Skywalking is an incredible experience that can provide thrills and spine tingling sensations. Thanks to modern engineering and science, it is now possible to walk across glass bridges that are suspended hundreds of feet in the air. There are a number of fantastic places to skywalk all around the world.
In this article, we discussed the science and thrill of skywalking, as well as the world’s best places for skywalking. Next time you are visiting one of these incredible places, why not take a chance and try skywalking? You won’t regret it.
