While many people imagine record-breaking bridges as dramatic sea crossings suspended over deep waters, most of the longest bridges on Earth are actually high-speed rail viaducts built across flat floodplains, agricultural land, and marshes.
Over the past two decades, rapid infrastructure expansion has transformed global bridge rankings. Massive, continuous viaduct systems now stretch well beyond 100 kilometers, redefining what qualifies as a “bridge.” Meanwhile, classic over-water crossings in the United States and sea bridges in Asia continue to hold records under specific classifications. Here are 10 of the longest bridges in the world, and where they are located.
Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge in China
With a total length of 164.8 km (102.4 miles), this is the longest bridge in the world. The Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge forms part of the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway, and it stretches across Jiangsu province, connecting Shanghai and Nanjing. The incredible viaduct runs over rice paddies, canals, lakes, and low-lying floodplains, and a 9-km section even crosses Yangcheng Lake. Its elevated design ensures uninterrupted 300 km/h bullet train operations.
Changhua–Kaohsiung Viaduct in Taiwan
The Changhua-Kaohsiung Viaduct is 157.3 km (97.7 miles) long, and was opened in the year 2007. This viaduct is a part of the Taiwan High Speed Rail network, and connects Changhua County to Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan. It is the longest bridge in Taiwan and the second-longest in the world. The viaduct allows high-speed trains to operate safely across densely populated western Taiwan while reducing land acquisition challenges.
Cangde Grand Bridge in China
This 115.9 km (72 miles) long viaduct is another major viaduct on the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway. The Cangde Grand Bridge crosses extensive floodplains in Hebei province, and its elevated design helps prevent disruption from seasonal flooding and maintains smooth gradients for high-speed rail. It is one of several super-long bridges that collectively enable uninterrupted high-speed travel between China’s two largest cities.
Tianjin Grand Bridge in China
Stretching between Langfang and Qingxian near Tianjin, this 113.7 km (70.6 miles) long bridge is another massive segment of the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway. Like others on this corridor, it was built to ensure minimal curvature and maximum operational stability for trains traveling at over 300 km/h. Its continuous elevated structure reduces the need for road crossings and improves long-term maintenance efficiency.
Weinan Weihe Grand Bridge in China
This 79.7 km (49.5 miles) long bridge carries the Zhengzhou–Xi’an High-Speed Railway across the Wei River valley. When completed, it briefly held the title of the world’s longest bridge before being surpassed by newer projects. The Weinan Weihe Grand Bridge crosses rivers, roads, and farmland, demonstrating China’s large-scale approach to high-speed rail expansion in the late 2000s.
Bang Na Expressway in Thailand
With a total length of 54 km (33.5 miles), the Bang Na Expressway in Thailand is unlike most bridges on this list, The Bang Na Expressway is a road bridge, located in Bangkok. This elevated six-lane highway stretches above National Highway 34. For several years, it held the record as the longest bridge in the world. It significantly eased congestion in the Bangkok metropolitan area and remains one of the longest elevated road structures globally.
Beijing Grand Bridge in China
Another long viaduct on the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway, this 48.2 km (29.9 miles) long bridge demonstrates the extensive reliance on elevated structures to maintain consistent rail speeds and avoid densely populated urban disruptions.
Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in the United States
Located in Louisiana, this 38.4 km (23.9 miles) long twin-span bridge crosses Lake Pontchartrain and connects Metairie and Mandeville. It holds the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous bridge over water (classification depends on measurement criteria). For nearly half a century, it was widely recognised as the longest bridge in the world before Asian rail viaducts surpassed it.
Manchac Swamp Bridge in the United States
Part of Interstate 55 in Louisiana, this 36.7 km (22.8 miles) long bridge crosses the Manchac Swamp. It is built over wetlands and open water, and is one of the longest bridges over swamp terrain in the world. The bridge is sustained by thousands of concrete piles that are driven deep into the swampy soil.
Hangzhou Bay Bridge in China
This 35.7 km (22.2 miles) long S-shaped sea bridge spans Hangzhou Bay and connects Jiaxing and Ningbo in eastern China. The bridge has improved travel time between Shanghai and Ningbo. At the time of its construction, it was the longest trans-oceanic bridge in the world. The bridge was designed to resist typhoons, strong tidal currents, and corrosive marine environments.
