The world's highest bridge in southwest China offers BASE jumpers not only more time for daring aerial maneuvers, but also a gateway to cultural discovery and lasting international friendships.
GUIYANG, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of meters above a canyon in southwest China, the appeal of BASE jumping from a bridge is obvious: breathtaking height, open air and a few precious seconds of free fall.
But for many international jumpers, the experience extends well beyond the leap itself, encompassing spectacular scenery, cultural encounters and friendships forged through a shared passion.
At the edge of the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in Guizhou Province, German BASE jumper Hannes Grossmann launched into the air, performing a 360-degree forward somersault, a side flip and another rotation before deploying his parachute and landing smoothly in the designated area.
"The coolest thing about this bridge is that it is super high," Grossmann said. Its open surroundings also give experienced jumpers more room to maneuver.
This is Grossmann's third trip to China for BASE jumping, but his first time leaping from the Huajiang Bridge.
From Oct. 20 to 23, more than 30 BASE jumpers from 19 countries and regions gathered at the bridge for the 2026 International High-bridge Skydiving Invitational, following an earlier competition at Guizhou's Baling River Bridge.
BASE jumping involves parachuting from fixed objects or natural formations rather than aircraft, often leaving participants with only seconds of free fall before they must deploy their parachutes.
Certified by Guinness World Records in April as the world's highest bridge, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge rises 626.01 meters above the water. The structure has cut travel across the canyon from around two hours to about two minutes. For BASE jumpers, however, its remarkable height offers an entirely different kind of advantage.
Grossmann began BASE jumping in 2019 and has completed more than 2,000 jumps worldwide. His previous trips to China took him to several other jumping sites, including the Nizhuhe Grand Canyon in Yunnan Province.
What distinguishes Huajiang, he said, is the combination of height and open space. With no cliff face immediately beside the exit, jumpers have greater freedom to experiment with different maneuvers.
Grossmann completed three jumps at Huajiang on Wednesday, trying backflips, front flips and other rotations. He gave the site a nine out of 10 for its suitability for practicing new tricks.
For Turkish jumper Ogulcan Geldikaya, who was making his second BASE jumping trip to Guizhou, the extra height offers another benefit: more time to enjoy the free fall.
The additional seconds allow jumpers to perform more maneuvers or attempt two- and three-person jumps with friends. On Friday morning, Geldikaya teamed up with an Australian jumper for a synchronized leap. Wearing their parachutes, the two stood side by side, clasped hands and jumped together. After several seconds in free fall, they let go, deployed their parachutes and landed safely in the designated area.
"The height of the bridge means more time for maneuvers and more fun. But safety is the priority," Geldikaya said.
That priority sometimes means staying on the ground. He had planned to celebrate his birthday on Thursday with another jump from the world's highest bridge, calling it "the perfect gift for myself." Strong winds, however, forced him to postpone the leap.
For Geldikaya, knowing when to wait is just as important as knowing how to jump.
The bridge events have also become a gathering point for athletes from around the world, giving them an opportunity to experience China beyond the competition.
Dutch jumper JP De Kam, who helps bring international athletes to the event, said the bridge initially draws people in, but the local culture is what makes them want to return.
During his visits, he has explored local streets, admired traditional Chinese architecture and taken in Guizhou's mountainous scenery. Just as important, he said, is the chance to see how local people live and discover how their daily lives differ from his own.
On Tuesday evening, the athletes visited Zhenfeng ancient town, where they joined local residents in traditional dances.
"We've been dancing together, doing the Chinese dances," De Kam said. "That's a very big attractive point."
For Portuguese referee Nuno Cunha, the event marked his first visit to China. One aspect of daily life in Guizhou particularly impressed him: the widespread use of digital payments.
"Everywhere I visited, people were prepared to accept digital payments," Cunha said. Even in villages, he saw elderly residents selling local produce to tourists and receiving payments through QR codes.
The event has also helped build friendships among athletes from different countries.
Geldikaya said he had made new friends from around the world during the gathering. He welcomed them to visit Türkiye and jump with him, assuring them, "My house is your house."
Some of these connections have continued long after the competition ended. Athletes who first met at events in Guizhou have since reunited in Türkiye, Japan and Europe, turning a few seconds of free fall into friendships that endure across borders.
De Kam hopes to bring even more athletes to Guizhou in the years ahead. "I would love to be back here for more than 10 years," he said. He wants more jumpers to experience "the culture, the food, the bridge, everything." ■
