China opens world's highest bridge to traffic

China on Thursday opened the world's highest bridge to traffic. The towering bridge hanging 565 metres above a gorge in southwestern China has been described as the world's highest bridge.

According to broadcaster, China Central Television, CCTV, the Beipanjiang bridge spans 1.34km between Xuanwei city in Yunnan province and Shuicheng county in Guizhou and cost 1.023 billion yuan to build.

The bridge, a four-lane bridge, took three years to build, and is expected to shorten journey time between Xuanwei and Shuicheng county from more than four hours to about an hour, said CCTV.

Reuters