Jiangzhou Immortal Bridge, 2nd largest natural bridge in the world, in China

 

This natural bridge has an estimated span of up to 340 feet (103.6 meters), making it the second-largest in the world. We passed through a small town to reach this feature, then drove under it as we left. From the road, there's a stairway that leads to the underside of the upper end of the bridge. At the upper end of the bridge, there's a small building underneath the span, and further along, caves split off in different directions. The lower end of the bridge has a river flowing under it. Downhill from the bridge, along the road are signs providing more information about this feature and many others in the area. 

Canon EOS 6D Mark II, ISO 100, f5, 1/100 sec, 17 mm focal length

Remember, it's not just a picture, it's a story!

Fairy Bridge (Xianren) largest natural bridge in the world, located in China

 

This is the largest natural bridge in the world and it's located in China. Fairy Bridge is the translation for the Chinese name of Xianren, which means "eternal people." How that became "fairy" we don't know. It is estimated to have a span of 580' 8.5" (177 meters), height to the top of the span of  475' 9" (145 meters), height to the underside of the span of 219'10"  (67 meters), thickness of 255' 11" (78 meters), and width of 63' 7" (19.4 meters). We rode on a powered bamboo raft that could accommodate about 25 people down the river to go under the bridge to the other side, where we took this photo. Then, we went back upstream under the bridge again to return to our starting point. The bridge forms a low roof over that part of the river. We saw a bat on our way back. 

Canon EOS 6D Mark II - 23 mm focal length, ISO 100, 1/100 sec., f/5

Remember, it's not just a picture, it's a story!

Getu River Bridge, China

 

This is the Getu River Natural Bridge, within the Getu River National Park. We were surprised to see a building and a vending machine when we got here after climbing 1900 steps. We followed the Getu River through a large opening on a pathway fixed to the side of the cliff. After crossing the river on a bridge, we could see the river disappear into a cave. Then, it was a long stairway and series of switchbacks we had to hike to reach the top, where this natural bridge was located.

The Chinese name for this feature is the Getuhe Dachuandong, Getu = sacred place of peach blossoms, he = river, Da = big, chuan = river, dong = cave. So put it together, we get Getu River big river cave.

Samsung a52, 5.2 mm (24 mm equivalent), f/1.8, 1/474 sec, ISO 25

Remember, it's not just a picture, it's a story!