10 Incredible Natural Arches and Bridges in China

Natural arches, also called natural bridges as their bridge-shaped arches, are some of the most incredible geological formations on the planet. Typically formed after the collapse of the lower, softer stone layer under the hard cap rock due to erosion from water or weather, natural arches can be found in many parts of the world. And during a trip to China, you have many chances to admire these majestic and beautiful natural wonders.

Heaven's Gate, Tianmen Mountain

• Location: Yongding District, Zhangjiajie, Hunan
• Opening Height: 131.5 meters (431 feet)
• Width: 57 meters (187 feet)
• Span: 60 meters (197 feet)
• Altitude: about 1,300 meters (4,265 feet) - the highest natural arch in the world

Tianmen Mountain Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province, China

Also known as Tianmen Cave, it is a mountain-penetrating karst cave at Tianmen Mountain (the highest mountain in Zhangjiajie, with a height of 1518.6 meters, 4,982 feet). Formed naturally as a result of water erosion no later than 48 A.D., according to research.

In the year 263, the back of the cave collapsed, forming the miracle arch hanging on the towering cliff, just like a gate leading to heaven. Most importantly, the gate is usually capped with clouds, giving a feeling that you'll find yourself in heaven after you pass through the gate.

Before reaching the fantastic natural stone arch, you need to walk up 999 steps on the "Stairway to Heaven" - the number 9 here is not accidental; it is a lucky number in Chinese numerology, representing good fortune and eternity.

Besides the impressive Tianmen Cave, you can also visit the ancient Tianmenshan Temple and walk the cliff-hanging walkways to enjoy incredible views during your China tour in Zhangjiajie.

Tianxia Diyi Qiao, the First Bridge under the Sun

• Location: Yuanjiajie, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie, Hunan
• Span: 50 meters (164 feet)
• Height: about 400 meters (1,312 feet)
• Width: 2 meters (7 feet)
• Thickness: 5 meters (16 feet)

Apart from the Tianmen Cave, you can also head to the Wulingyuan District to find another natural arch during your Zhangjiajie National Park visit - Tianxia Diyi Qiao, or the First Bridge under the Sun, which is less than 50km from Tianmen Mountain.

This natural rock bridge was formed after the lower rock collapsed because of weather erosion, even with a flat deck able to walk, making a natural pathway around the verdant pines and floating clouds, through which you can reach the peak on the other side, while catching those bamboo-like stone pillars rising from the misty valley.

Rocky Natural Bridge in Wulingyuan, Zhangjiajie City, China

The Three Natural Bridges

• Location: 12km from Wulong County, Chongqing

The Three Natural Bridges, as its name suggests, is composed of three natural limestone arch bridges standing within Wulong Karst National Geology Park, which is a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

These stunning bridges are Tianlong Bridge (Sky Dragon Bridge), Qinglong Bridge (Azure Dragon Bridge), and Heilong Bridge (Black Dragon), respectively, constituting the largest natural arch bridge cluster in Asia.

The Tianlong Bridge, Chongqing, China

	Height	Width	Span	Thickness
Tianlong Bridge	235 m / 771 ft	147 m / 482 ft	34 m / 112 ft	150 m / 490 ft
Qinglong Bridge	281 m / 922 ft	124 m / 406 ft	31 m / 102 ft	168 m / 551 ft
Heilong Bridge	223 m / 732 ft	193 m / 633 ft	28 m / 92 ft	107 m / 351 ft

Between the bridges lie two natural sinkholes (Qinglong Tiankeng and Shenying Tiankeng) formed by tectonic collapse. This geological wonder was one of the filming locations of the films Transformers: Age of Extinction and Curse of the Golden Flower. Yet, it is still unfamiliar to the world, so you can admire the unspoiled beauty there. The best times to visit are spring and autumn.

Water Moon Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill

• Location: Downtown Guilin City, Guangxi
• Height: 12 meters (39 feet)
• Width: 9 meters (31 feet)
• Span: 17 meters (56 feet)

Standing on the western bank of the Li River, the Elephant Trunk Hill is so named because it looks like an elephant drinking water from the river with its trunk - formed from pure limestone about 360 million years ago, and a true symbol of Guilin's karst landscape.

The Water Moon Cave, located under the elephant's trunk and leg, is a natural semi-round arch penetrated by water. It is said that it was formed by water erosion 12,000 years ago, when the earth's crust lifted and the Li River shrank. It looks like a bright full moon floating on the surface of the water, hence its name.

When visiting the cave, you will be welcomed by various poems and paintings inscribed on the walls applauding the beauty of the hill and waters nearby, which can date back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

The Elephant Trunk Hill in Guilin City, China

Moon Hill

• Location: 8 km outside Yangshuo County, Guilin, Guangxi
• Height: 50 meters (164 feet)
• Span: 50 meters (164 feet)
• Width: 5 meters deep (16 feet)
• Altitude: about 230 meters (755 feet)

In Moon Hill, there is a natural arch penetrating the hill from north to south. The arch is actually a wide semicircular hole, resembles a bright moon.

Seen from different directions, the "moon" can be enjoyed in different shapes, from a new moon to an old moon and then to a full moon. On a nice day, the blue sky, snow-white clouds, and picturesque rural landscape make a wonderful background against the "moon". On clear evenings at the Moon, you can even possibly see the real Moon through the arch of the hill.

To reach the "moon palace", you need to climb up about 800 steps. It usually takes around 20 minutes. In the "palace", you will find various unique stalactites hanging from the ceiling. The bird's-eye view of the surroundings from the arch is really breathtaking.

Moon Hill in Yangshuo County, Guilin City, China

Xianren Bridge, Fairy Bridge

• Location: 51 km from Leye County, Baise City, Guangxi
• Height: 70 meters (230 feet)
• Width: 20 meters (66 feet)
• Span: 121.9 meters (400 feet) - the world's longest natural arch

Xianren Bridge, literally Fairy Bridge, is the world's longest natural arch, measured by the Natural Arch and Bridge Society (NABS) in October 2010. It was carved through limestone karst by flowing water in the Buliu River, now a part of Leye-Fengshan Geopark.

Xianren Bridge wasn't discovered until 2009, when Jay Wilbur, the founder of the NABS, spotted the massive natural bridge spanning a river while browsing Google Earth.

Because of its remote location, it is accessible only by bamboo or inflatable rafts along the Buliu River - a true adventure through the winding river and passing beneath the incredible arch. So this eye-popping site remains relatively unknown - feel free to contact us to plan your China tour to witness the longest natural arch in the world.

Xianren Bridge in Leye County, Baise City, Guangxi, China

Jiangzhou Natural Bridge, Jianzhou Immortal Bridge

• Location: 26km southwest of Fengshan County, Hechi City, Guangxi
• Height: 46 meters (150 feet)
• Width: 38 meters (125 feet)
• Span: 95 meters (310 feet)

Jiangzhou Natural Bridge is another natural stone arch bridge you can find in Leye-Fengshan Geopark, resembling the ripping neck of a dinosaur kissing the east end of the mountain.

This natural bridge is regarded as the second-longest span in China, along the Jiangzhou River. Beneath the bridge also a road crossing through, making it used as a tunnel - legend tells that it is a bridge formed by an immortal as a shelter from sudden rain.

Gaotun Natural Bridge

• Location: Gaotun town, Liping County, Guizhou
• Height: 26 meters (86 feet)
• Span: 73 meters (240 feet)

The bridge this time in Gaotun is quite special. Tucked away in the karst mountains of northern Guangxi and eroded by the Bazhou River, it is a little-known waterfall natural bridge that is still dramatically above the river, just like a great natural rocky bridge for immortals and fairies to pass through, as well as the arch shelters a part of tranquil beauty.

Stand beneath the bridge and be surrounded by silence, mist, and pure natural grandeur, or just let your toes and ankles feel the waving flows and lush forest - a place that rewards those who venture off the beaten path.

Dachuandong Arch

• Location: Si Lian Village, Zheng'an City, Guizhou
• Height: 41 meters (135 feet)
• Span: 91 meters (300 feet)

The Dachuandong Arch (literally Big Boat Cave) feels like something out of an ancient legend. Rising over 100 meters above the valley floor and spanning roughly 80 meters, this vast natural bridge was sculpted by underground rivers over millions of years.

Dachuandong remains quiet and raw - the kind of place where you can still hear the wind echo through stone and imagine the Earth shaping itself. It's not just a sight to see, but a reminder of how patient nature can be.

Dachuandong Arch in Si Lian County, Guizhou, China

Shipton's Arch, Hole Mountain

• Location: near the village of Artux, Kashgar, Kizilsu Kirghiz, Xinjiang
• Height: 460 meters (1500 feet) - maybe the tallest natural arch in the world
• Span: 55 meters (180 feet)

Shipton's Arch, or Tushuk Tagh Arch, hidden deep in the rugged mountains near Kashgar, is also a newly found natural stone arch till 2000 (and you may also have known this heavenly gate from the Mountains of Tartary).

With a height that almost reaches the Empire State Building, it can be the tallest arch in the world - and the place that reminds you how small we are, and how wild nature can still be.

However, the journey here isn't easy - you'll hike through dry lunar canyons and rocky, narrow trails - but when that colossal sandstone arch finally appears against the blue Xinjiang sky, every step feels worth it.

Capture Those Natural Wonders With Odynovo

If you are planning to visit natural arches and bridges, the sooner the better, as all of them are still suffering from erosion and will constantly narrow until they inevitably collapse. So plan a tailor-made trip now to admire the beauty and power of Mother Nature.