World's highest glass bridge offers free admission for Israeli tourists

CHANGSHA - The world's longest and highest glass bridge, in Zhangjiajie, Central China's Hunan province, is scrapping the entrance fee for Israeli tourists for the rest of this year.

The move is to celebrate the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Israel and to pay tribute to the skywalk's Israeli designer Haim Dotan.

Israeli citizens carrying their passports are entitled to a free trip across the glass bridge located in Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, as well as to other parts of the area, from March 21 to Dec 31.

Dotan, who also designed the Israeli Pavillion at the World Expo in Shanghai in 2010, said his work in Zhangjiajie was inspired by Chinese philosopher Lao-tzu.

Opened in late August, the 430-meter long, six-meter wide bridge is paved with 99 panes of three-layer transparent glass and hangs between two steep cliffs 300 meters above the ground. The bridge set 10 world records for its design and construction.