Suddenly, a UFO looms into view! But no need to be afraid because this particular UFO is part of the Shilinxia Glass Viewing Platform. This Glass Ladder is in the Shilinxia Scenic Area. This area is also known as the Jingdong Stone Forest Gorge. It is also called the Pinggu Huangsongyu National Geopark.
The Shilinxia Glass Viewing Platform may look like a strange monstrosity. But it is also a marvel of engineering. Some say the Glass Ladder looks like an otherworldly creation from a science fiction film. Perhaps it’s the couple of aliens parked in their flying saucer on the glass platform. What do blue creatures have to do with the rock formations? That is anyone’s guess.
Whatever you think, you cannot ignore the Glass Ladder’s size. The circular platform is supported by a giant arch tower. It is held up by cable stays. It looks like a bridge. The glass wheel appears to be about 20 meters across. It has 36 separate glass panels. A straight walkway leads to the overlook. It has more than two dozen glass panels. The Glass Ladder likely holds some size record for cantilevered platforms.
The Shilinxia Glass Viewing Platform is high above. It stands 75 meters high. That is about 246 feet. The span is 60 meters long. That is about 197 feet. Construction was completed in 2016.
Making the Glass Ladder a high-capacity structure was smart. It is near Beijing. Many people want a weekend getaway in the mountains. The Shilinxia Scenic Area is twelve kilometers long. It is in Diaowo Village in Beijing’s Pinggu District. That is 70 kilometers northeast of central Beijing.
Shilinxia is also the setting for mythology. One story tells of Xiagu and Sanlang. Xiagu washed clothes in the pool. A dragon imprisoned her because of her beauty. Xiagu killed herself. Sanlang slew the dragon with help from an arhat. The couple became immortal. They stayed to protect local residents.
When you visit the Glass Ladder, you might take two routes. One option is the cable car. Then you climb uphill for about an hour. The other option is an hour-long trek from the valley floor. Small streams are along the way. You might see squirrels and birds.
So, are you brave enough to experience the Glass Ladder? Walking on air never felt so real!