The Nujiang 72 Bends Canyon Observation Deck in Baxoi, Tibet, is scheduled for completion by the end of the year, offering cliffside views of the surrounding mountains and rivers.

Read the original version in Chinese here.

Published on July 06, 2026

The project is located in Baxoi County, Qamdo, Tibet, approximately 48.5 kilometers from the county seat. The "Nujiang 72 Curves," also known as the "72 Curves of the Heavenly Road," is a critical passage along the southern route of National Highway 318 (G318), renowned worldwide for its treacherous terrain. The viewing platform is sited on a cliff edge between the 72 Curves and the Nujiang River Canyon, with National Highway 318 winding past to the north and the roaring Nujiang River flowing eastward to the south.

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The design aims to accentuate the perilous nature of the Nujiang 72 Curves, embracing the concept of "seeking adventure and challenging oneself" to establish a benchmark for tourism experiences in the plateau region. To reflect the rapid development of Tibet’s construction industry, the organic expansion of local recreation, and the preservation of regional culture, the project utilizes Tibetan-red weathering steel as its primary material. Drawing design inspiration from the winding, serpentine geometry of the 72 Curves, the architects creatively designed a glass viewing platform on a cliff face with a vertical drop of over 100 meters. The platform cantilevers 27 meters outward with a fully transparent glass floor, offering road-trippers an immersive experience of the Nujiang Canyon’s wild and breathtaking scale.

The main viewing platform integrates a reception center, an exhibition hall, a cliffside restaurant, a multi-functional convenience store, and public restrooms. To enhance engagement and interactivity, the development also incorporates various recreational amenities, including a cross-river zipline, a cliff swing, a scenic cliffside elevator, a challenge bridge, a cross-river glass suspension bridge, and hiking trails.

Structurally, the project comprises a steel truss system and a steel frame system utilizing high-strength steel, yielding a clean and concise form. The Tibetan-red weathering steel plates pay homage to the local color palette while allowing the structure to stand out from its surroundings. The spatial combination of weathering steel and glass curtain walls creates a rich play of materials, establishing a dialogue with the rugged natural landscape.