10 Longest Natural Arches in The World

These known 10 longest natural arches in the world are measured by the Natural Arch and Bridge Society (NABS). The NABS states that the rankings may change because of the more accurate measurement techniques, and the new-find arches in the future.

1. Xian Ren Qiao, 400 feet (121.9 meters)

Fairy Bridge from downstream. Photo by Gunter Welz, via The Natural Arch and Bridge Society

Xian Ren Qiao, literally means Fairy Bridge, is located in northern Guangxi Province, China. It is a meander natural arch carved through limestone karst by the flowing water of the Buliu River. Xian Ren Qiao has the longest recorded span in the world, with 400 feet (121.9 meters) in length. Span measured by NABS in 2010.

2. Zhijin Natural Bridge, 340 feet (103.6 meters)

Zhijin Natural Bridge is located in the Guizhou Zhijin Cave Scenic Area in Zhijin County, Guizhou Province, China. Tourist area Zhijin Cave itself is considered to be the most magnificent cave in China. Zhijin Natural Bridge is the second-longest natural arch with a span of 340 feet (103.6 meters). Span measured by NABS member Gunter Welz in 2015.

3. Jiangzhou Immortal Bridge, 280-340 feet

Jiangzhou Immortal Bridge. Photo by Rosysea. CC by 3.0

Jiangzhou Immortal Bridge is a meander natural bridge connecting the two mountains. It is located in Jiangzhou, Guangxi Province, China. A sign by the arch claims it as the second longest natural arch in the world. This may be true, because an upper bound can be placed at around 340 feet, and a lower bound can be placed at around 280 feet.

However, NABS states that this measurement cannot be confirmed at the present time because of the conflicting information about the arch.

4. Dachuandong Arch, 300 feet (91.4 meters)

Dachuandong Arch is located near the village of Si Lian in Guizhou Province, China. Dachuandong Arch has a span of 300 feet (91.4 meters), and a height of 135 feet. Span measured by NABS member Gunter Welz in 2015.

5. Landscape Arch, 290 feet (88.4 meters)

Landscape Arch. Photo by Cacophony. CC by 3.0

Landscape Arch is located in the Devils Garden area of Arches National Park in Utah, United States. It has a span of 290 feet (88.4 meters) according to measurement made by NABS in 2004. Landscape Arch is the longest natural rock arch that is considered old and near the end of its lifecycle.

Landscape Arch could collapse at any time. The thinnest section of the arch is only 6 feet thick, yet it supports a 290 feet long rock. Three rockfall occured in the 1990s. Due to these rockfall events, the Park Service has closed the trail underneath the arch.

6. Kolob Arch, 287 feet (87.5 meters)

Kolob Arch is an adult alcove natural arch located in Zion National Park, Utah. It was formerly considered longer than Landscape Arch according to the measurement by the Society. However, the NABS took a very accurate measurement in October 2006 and found that Kolob Arch has a span of 287 feet, only 3 feet shorter than the span of Landscape Arch.

7. Qingxudong Arch, 251 feet (76.5 meters)

Qingxudong Arch is located near of the village of Yang Chang Ba in Guizhou Province, China. Qingxudong Arch has a span of 251 feet (76.5 meters) and a height of 246 feet. Span measured by NABS member Gunter Welz in 2015.

8. Aloba Arch, 250 feet (76.2 meters)

Aloba Arch is the magnificent seldom seen natural arch located in the Ennedi Plateau of the Sahara Desert in the northeast part of the country of Chad. Aloba Arch is ranked the 8th longest known natural arch with a span of around 250 feet. But it is considered to be one of the tallest known arches in the world with 394 feet tall.

According to NABS standards, less accurate means in measurement were necessary due to a direct measurement was not possible.

9. Morning Glory Natural Bridge, 243 feet (74.1 meters)

Though it’s named Morning Glory Natural Bridge, but actually it is a very large alcove arch, not a natural bridge. Morning Glory Natural Bridge is located in Negro Bill Canyon near Moab, Utah. The span first measured by Robert Vreeland and reported it to be 243 feet. This measurement then has been confirmed by Jay Wilbur of NABS.

10. Gaotun Natural Bridge, 240 feet (73.2 meters)

Gaotun Natural Bridge, or Tiansheng Qiao in Chinese, is a waterfall natural bridge eroded through limestone karst. It is located in Bazhou He Scenic Area near the town of Gaotun in Liping County, Guizhou Province, China. Gaotun Natural Bridge has a span of 240 feet, reported by NABS member Gunter Welz in October 2010.

Source: http://www.naturalarches.org/