The highest observation decks in the world.

Viewpoints are popular with tourists because they provide an unforgettable experience with views that are simply not available on earth. From here you can always take great pictures of the area where you are. Such platforms are made all over the world and they have a variety of designs. Some of them are located on very high altitude, some are equipped with a transparent floor, so you will get an unforgettable experience by visiting such sites.

1. Playground Ornesvingen in Norway popular among travelers in this country. Usually viewing platforms Norway offers beautiful views of the fjords. Ornesvingen is no exception. Every year, at least 400,000 tourists come here to admire the views of the Geirangerfjord in Norway.






2. Lookout AlppiX site in Germany was built in 2010 in the Bavarian Alps. It looks like two crossed platforms and offers a view of the "Hell Valley". It is located on the peak of Alpshitz, the height above sea level is 2628 meters. Below, under the observation deck, there is a gorge 1000 meters deep.





3. Viewpoint Aiguille du Midi in France. Mount Aiguille Du Midi itself is located in the French Alps next to Mount Blanc. You will have to get to the site by cable car over 3 kilometers long. Already this trip can give a lot of impressions. Altitude 3800 meters above sea level. In December 2013, a new observation deck "Step into the Void" was opened on this mountain.



4. Preikestolen or Pulpit Rock (pulpit rock) in Norway. It is also called Preacher's Pulpit ("pulpit"). It is located above the Lyce fjord and has the shape of a cliff, on top of which there is an almost square (25 meters by 25 meters) platform. This site is used by tourists to explore the local nature. From the nearest car park you will have to walk in 2 hours, although the distance to the site is only 3.8 kilometers.




5. Langkawi Sky Bridge in Malaysia as an observation deck. This is pedestrian bridge 125 meters long, 700 meters above sea level. This bridge overlooks the Tarutao Islands and the Andaman Sea. You can get to it by cable car.





6. Viewpoint Skywalk in the Grand Canyon in the USA. Observation deck at an altitude of 1220 meters with a glass bottom. It is made in the form of a horseshoe and protrudes from the edge of the cliff by 20 meters, so that visitors walk directly above the canyon.





7. Playground Aurland Lookout in Norway. It is located above the Aurland Fjord in the form of a springboard among the wooded slopes, at an altitude of 650 meters.





8. Viewpoint Dachstein Sky Walk in Austria. There is also part of the floor made of glass, and the height is 2700 meters, so the view under the feet of visitors is unforgettable. The site is built into the Hunerkogel rock in the Alps. The platform is designed so that visitors have a 360-degree view.





9. Observation deck at Canopy radar tower in Panama. Now it is no longer a radar tower, but a modern hotel, on top of which there is an observation deck. Height above sea level 275 meters. Lovers of watching will especially like wildlife at close range, as it is located in national park. You can also see Pacific Ocean and part of the Panama Canal.





10. Playground on the glass bridge on Tianmen Mountain in China. located in Chinese province Hunan. The height above the abyss is 1200 meters. The length of this bridge is 70 meters, it has a glass floor made of glass 6 centimeters thick.



11. Lookout playground at the Iguazu Falls, which refer immediately to two countries to Brazil and Argentina. In order to completely immerse themselves in the atmosphere of falling water, tourists are offered to walk along the bridge created in the middle of this element. In these waterfalls, water falls from a height of 80 meters.





12. Il binocolo in Italy was designed by architect Matteo Thun. It is located in botanical garden Trauttmansdorff. The name comes from the shape of the roof at the end of the site.

Recently, a new trend has appeared in China - the construction of glass bridges and platforms. These creepy places attract thousands of tourists who want to tickle their nerves. This is what the transparent bridge looks like:

Just imagine, circular views of the picturesque landscape open up under your feet. It seems as if you are floating above the ground. However, few will feel such euphoria. Transparent bridge over the abyss or glass platform cause panic attacks impressionable people. And although the Chinese consider walking in such places the best cure for acrophobia, experts still recommend refraining from such radical methods of dealing with the disease. Here, an obsessive fear of heights can develop into an overwhelming panic attack and provoke heart problems.

You do not suffer from acrophobia and the transparent bridge over the abyss does not cause you fear? Don't be fooled! You never know how the brain will react in a given situation, because the instinct of self-preservation is very strong, and your eyes see the danger. In the photo you can see how people get on all fours, cling to the rock, and some are even afraid to walk, so they are dragged by their legs or arms.

However, if you are a fearless extreme seeker looking for new experiences, the transparent bridge in China is exactly what you need. Such entertainment is much safer than high-speed racing and skydiving. No risk. But a lot of impressions!

3 glass bridges over the cliff of the steep mountain Tianmen

The first glass bridge was built here in autumn 2011. The thickness of the glass is only 6 cm. The second one opened for visitors in May 2016. For particularly daring tourists, bungee jumping into the abyss is offered.

The third transparent bridge on Mount Tianmen called "Wriggling Dragon" was built in 2017. The height above the abyss is 1500 meters! The glass path leads to the top of the mountain, meandering around the hill and offering breathtaking views to tourists.

More recently, the whole world has spread the news that the transparent bridge in China is cracking. One fine day, a crunch of glass was heard under the feet of frightened tourists, and many cracks formed. Video footage of the incident has also surfaced online. In fact, the administration of the attraction has planned a similar show.

Special panels were built into the glass bridge, which created a "cracking" effect. Many visitors denounced the park management for this. And right! You should be warned about this in advance. After all, a strong fright can cause a heart attack!

The longest glass bridge in the world made in China

For 1.5 years in the province of Hebei, the longest transparent bridge in the world was erected over two cliffs, which entered the Book of Records. A transparent bridge 488 meters long hung over the abyss at a height of 250 meters (approximately the level of the 66th floor of the building).

Not only is the glass only 4 cm thick, but this bridge also wobbles a little! It should be said that the structure has been tested for strength and meets all safety standards, but the realization that only a few centimeters of glass separates you from the abyss will provide a decent adrenaline rush.

Demonstration test of a glass bridge

Acrophobia is the fear of heights. Being at a height, an acrophobic sufferer experiences nausea and dizziness. Familiar sensations? If yes, then forget about this attraction. In China, there are already several glass suspension bridges over the abyss and glass walkways along the cliffs. And recently, another transparent glass observation deck appeared on the edge of the mountain at an altitude of 768 meters above sea level. An extreme terrace near Beijing rises 400 meters above a picturesque valley.

However, the crowds of adrenaline fans know no fear, and the observation deck is already breaking all attendance records. This is the largest platform of its kind in the world, which has already become famous all over the world. Tourists from all over China, and not only, come here to admire the unique view and test their willpower.

The Glass Platform is located in Shilinxia Tourist Area in Pinggu District near Beijing. The suspension bridge is 32.8 meters wide. The length is 11 meters longer than that of a similar structure in the United States - the SkyWalk observation deck in the Grand Canyon. On the this moment it is the longest observation platform in the world.

The futuristic design fits well into the picturesque gorge - as if a flying saucer has landed here. Stunning views of the mountains and the forest are open to brave tourists, but not everyone dares to set foot here. Moving around glass floor is not a test for the faint of heart. The glass platform is absolutely safe - it is made of titanium, steel and bulletproof glass that has passed all the necessary tests.

It really can be called a crime if you come here without a camera. Therefore, tourists use every second to take amazing pictures above the abyss. The glass floor and railing give the feeling of flying in the air. It is worth overcoming yourself and your fears and walking along the circular bridge across the valley, admiring the villages, mountains and forest, as well as feeling part of nature.

Altitude always attracts tourists: these are rare panoramic photos, and successful selfies, and the opportunity to view cities and natural landscapes from the most unexpected angles, and, of course, indescribable sensations. The ATOR Bulletin has chosen 10 high-rise observation decks in the world, from where the most breathtaking views open.

10. GLASS BRIDGE OF PETRONAS TOWERS, 170 METERS

Where: Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, high-rise complex of Petronas towers.

The famous 452-meter high-rise Petronas twin towers in Malaysia are famous not only for their two-story high-speed elevators, but also for their stunning glass bridge, “hanging” at the level of the 41st and 42nd floors. The unique two-story Sky Bridge connecting two skyscrapers is located at a height of 170 meters. It is interesting that the bridge was originally designed and built in South Korea, after which it was dismantled into 493 parts and transported to Kuala Lumpur, where it was assembled on the spot and raised to a height.

The Sky Bridge was also used in the filming of the film The Apocalypse Code with Anastasia Zavorotnyuk. True, during a dangerous stunt, an understudy jumping from a bridge hooked on a power line and left an entire block of Kuala Lumpur without electricity.

To get on the bridge, tourists line up for hours, because the twin towers can take no more than 300 people a day. Paying for a ticket 24 dollars, visitors get the opportunity to walk across the bridge, listen to a 10-minute tour of the construction of the Sky Bridge, and go up to the 86th floor, where there is another observation deck and a small museum of the history of the Petronas Towers.

9. PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE SKYBRIDGE, 207 METERS

Where:Russia, Sochi, Krasnaya Polyana.

In the mountain amusement park SkyPark in Krasnaya Polyana there is longest suspension footbridge in the world- 439 meters long and 207 meters high. The SkyBridge bridge was opened quite recently - in 2014, but has already become almost a must-see for tourists. The bridge offers a breathtaking view of the Akhtyrskoye Gorge, mountains and the Mzymta River. According to the creator of the bridge (Australian AJ Hackett), the bridge is able to withstand a magnitude 9 earthquake and gusty hurricane winds.

Here, on the territory of the amusement park, you can visit the adventure adventure park "Mowgli" and ride the most high swing in the world (107 m). And for gourmets, the creators of the park soon promise to open a gourmet restaurant - right on the edge of a cliff on one of the slopes of the Akhtyrsky Gorge.

How to get there and how much it costs: by "Lastochka" or by road to Krasnaya Polyana. Prices for visiting the "sky bridge" are as follows: adult ticket 1250 rubles, for children under 12 years old you will have to pay 600 rubles, children under 5 years of age and people over 75 years of age undergo for free. This price includes a walk along the bridge with the opportunity to go to one of the viewing platforms and admire how absolutely desperate extreme people make bungee jumping (the cheapest jump costs 6000 rubles).

8. MILLAU VIADUCT, 341 METERS

Where:Southern France, Aveyron department, Millau.

The cable-stayed Millau Viaduct is considered highest road bridge in the world, which is why autotourists from all over the world consider it their duty to drive through this attraction without fail. From here you can enjoy the most picturesque views of the Tarn river valley.

The almost 2.5 km long bridge is part of the high-speed road from Paris to the small town of Beziers, where many elite private schools are located. Despite the fact that the bridge was built only for the “auxiliary” purpose of unloading the national highway from traffic jams, it has become one of the main attractions of France. About 400 million euros were spent on the construction of the bridge, which is why the passage on the Millau Viaduct was paid. According to experts, the bridge will pay for itself in about 78 years.

How to get there and how much it costs: From Paris on the highway to Beziers. Directions to passenger car along the way will cost 6 euro, and if you are on a motorcycle or scooter - then 3.90 euros.

7. SKYDECK CHICAGO, 443 METERS

Where: Chicago, USA, skyscraperWillisTower.

Willis Tower is most tall skyscraper in the USA. The height of the building is 443 meters or 110 floors. Observation deck Skydeck Chicago (now the second highest in the world) is located here on the 103rd floor and consists of 4 glass balconies extended from the building, each of which can simultaneously accommodate up to 5 people. It is worth going here to bring with you photos with unique panoramic views of Chicago and the surrounding area. In good weather, visibility is about 80 km and allows you to see the territory of 4 states at once: Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.

The feelings that overwhelm tourists who take a step into the void cannot be described in words - this is a rush of adrenaline, fear, delight and ... hope that the glass retractable booth will not turn into a high-speed elevator falling down. Moreover, there was already a reason for this: May 28, 2014 in one of the observation booths cracked glass floor, which caused a terrible panic among tourists. It turned out that only the upper protective coating of the floor was damaged, so the visitors were completely safe at that moment. Despite this unfortunate incident, about 1.3 million tourists continue to visit Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower every year.

How to get there and how much it costs: In Chicago, any taxi driver will take you here. However, get ready for the fact that you will stand in long lines for a long time. The ticket is worth it 16 dollars. The site is currently open to the public around the clock.

6. SEOULSKY, 500 METERS

Where: South Korea, Seoul, skyscraperLotteWorldTower.

At the moment this is the highest stationary (located in a building) closed (glazed) observation deck in the world with glass floor. The Lotte World Tower skyscraper opened only this year, so it is also the newest. Of course, a visit to Seoul without going here would be incomplete. The Seoul Sky observation deck is located on four floors at once - from the 117th to the 122nd. In clear weather, the view from here opens up to 80 km.

In the Lotte World Tower itself, you will stay for a long time - here you will find the highest swimming pool in the world, the cinema with the largest screen in the world, the largest marine aquarium in the world (all these records are recorded in the Guinness Book of Records), and many other places for entertainment. In the skyscraper itself there is a huge shopping center next to a large amusement park.

How to get there and how much it costs: In Seoul, Lotte World Tower can be reached by taxi or subway to Jamsil Station. A high-speed two-deck elevator will take tourists to the observation deck, which has a glass floor, in a minute. Get ready for the lines! The ticket is worth it $27, child ticket - 24 dollars, and a ticket with the right to skip the line - the so-called. Fast Pass- $50.

5. LANGKAWI SKY BRIDGE,700 METERS

Where: Malaysia, Langkawi archipelago, Pulau Langkawi island

The picturesque tropical island of Langkawi impresses not only white sandy beaches and azure sea, but also panoramic views from the tallest single-bearing bridge in the world. "Heavenly Bridge" - this is the name of this structure - was built in 2004 at an altitude of 700 meters above the gorge between the mountains of Ganun. In fact, the bridge is suspended over the abyss: it stands on only one metal support, to which 8 cables are attached.

According to tourists who have been here, the bridge "sways a little" in windy weather, but this does not affect safety in any way. On the bridge, which can simultaneously withstand no more than 200 people, there are two triangular-shaped platforms for viewing and photographing. Architects and engineers have thought of everything, including emergency exits in case of thunder and lightning.

How to get there and how much it costs: To climb the bridge, you need to overcome the distance of 2.2 km by cable car from the "Eastern Village" and walk a little more or ride in a glass elevator. Entrance ticket for foreign tourists costs here 55 Malay rinngit ( about 13 dollars). The price includes not only climbing the bridge, but also a visit to the planetarium, 3-D museum and 6-D cinema.

4. "SKY PATH". 1219 METERS

Where: USA Arizona, Grand Canyon.

In the US National Park "Grand Canyon" at an altitude of 1219 meters is the observation deck Skywalk ("Sky Trail"). The site got its name from unusual design in the form of an arc. Permission to build this $30 million bridge had to be sought from the Hualapai Indian tribe, which owns the land.

The Skywalk bridge hangs over the cliff by 20 meters and can support up to 70,000 kg at the same time - or 120 tourists. The floor is made of glass with increased transparency, so the most daring tourists can admire the monumental views of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River flowing below, as if hovering over the abyss.

How to get there and how much it costs: Get to Grand Canyon in Arizona, an entrance ticket to the Grand Canyon Skywalk will cost $30 per person. In addition to the observation deck, tourists have at their disposal a museum, a restaurant and even a cinema.

3. GLASS "PATH OF FAITH". 1400 METERS

Where: China, Hunan Province, national park Zhangjiajie.

In this Chinese national park, on Mount Tianmen, sacred to local Taoists, there is an observation deck that even the cleaners refuse to climb, and that is why, as the guides say, all visitors are given shoe covers and are strictly forbidden to litter.

The "path of faith" or "path of fear" is a hiking trail for desperate tourists who are not afraid to climb an almost sheer cliff, and then walk on a transparent path at an altitude of 1400 meters! Bonus - views from the movie "Avatar" - at a glance. At present, China's "glass path" is recognized scariest tourist attraction in the world.

The floor and walls of the “path of fear” are made of high-strength glass 6.4 cm thick, but this does not calm the tourists, and many of them try to stay closer to the rock, and some finish their inspection of the terrible abyss and the ancient Chinese mountains, moving to the exit already on all fours . After walking over the abyss, the most persistent tourists can visit the temple on the top of the mountain and a vegetarian restaurant.

How to get there and how much it costs: visit the national park Zhangjiajie and ride to the trail on the longest cable car in the world with a length of 7.5 km. A ticket to Tianmen Mountain with a visit to the "path of faith" and the "Heaven's Gate" temple will cost about $37 per person.

2. ALPSPIX, 2628 METERS

Where: Germany, Garmisch-Patenkirchen, Bavarian Alps, Alpspitz peak

The AlpspiX observation deck is located on the Alpspitz mountain peak and is designed in the form of two crossed platforms, each of which is 24 meters long and 3 meters wide. One of the platforms is "protruded" over the abyss by 13 meters, and the other - by 11 meters. From a height of 2628 meters, tourists enjoy stunning panoramic views of the "Hell Valley" and Alpine mountains, and in good cloudless weather you can see the most high point Germany - Zugspitze peak (2962 m). The floor of the observation decks is a cellular lattice on the beams, the fencing on the sides is simple but strong iron bars. The creators of AlpspiX say that such a design (without a solid fence) will allow wheelchair users or small children to admire the views of the Alps.

How to get there and how much it costs: To get to the observation deck on the funicular, you will need to pay 27 euro for an adult ticket and 15 euro for children. Curiously, there is even Possibility to take your pet with you(!) - you have to pay for a ticket for it in total 4 euro.

1. "STEP INTO THE VOID", 3842 METERS

Where: Chamonix, French Alps, Mont Blanc

Near the town of Chamonix on the top of the Aiguille du Midi ( mountain range Mont Blanc) located, perhaps, the most entertaining of the high-altitude observation platforms in the world - a transparent glass cube hanging over the abyss. From a height of almost 4 km, tourists have the most breathtaking view of the French Alps. A better photo than here can, perhaps, be taken only from a copter - but that’s not a fact. The cabin hovering over the abyss was named "Step into the Void". The creators of this unique observation deck assure that the cube can withstand temperatures down to -60 C and wind gusts up to 220 km per hour.

How to get there and how much does it cost: To get to the top of the mountain, you must first take the cable car up to the cliff ( the cost is 57 euros per person for the round trip). Then go along the bridge connecting the two rocks, and only after that you can get to the “Step into the Void” by the elevator. It is worth noting that before visiting the observation deck, all visitors put on soft white slippers ... Do not be alarmed: this is only so as not to scratch the glass floor of the cabin.

Successful high-altitude excursions! You can familiarize yourself with the list of tour operators operating in countries where the above-described high-rise attractions are located by selecting the desired direction using the "Country" filter.