World's Highest Glass Trail : Zhangjiajie

World's Highest Glass Planked Trail : Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie : Hunan : China

Zhangjiajie is one of the most naturally beautiful place and famous for its scenic sites of Wulingyuan, which place is a UNESCO heritage site. Forest park of Zhangjiajie is also bear the status of being the first national park of China. Tianmen(Heaven's Gate) Mountain Range blesses this place with the bounty of nature. This place is already famous for the Bailong Great Elivator, is now going to set another record by building the glass plank road on the highest altitide. The amazing glass trail is already constructed and open for the visitors, Check out the thrilly-chilly photos:  

Tianmenshan glass plank road

This topper glass trail is open for tourist since 07-11-2011. Chinese tourism department took a great risk to set up those glass planks on these high degree vertical mountains, Its really a subject of credit for them to finish the project. I appreciate the idea of making such trail   on good level of altitude and give them many greetings for making this  trail by glass instead of any other materials.  Many tourists still need some time to get accustomed to the seeming emptiness under our feet over a huge chasm.

This glass trail is a part of west road, located at the top of western side Tianmen Mountain, at the 1430 meters(4700 feet) above the sea level, one of the highest hiking trail of the world. Entire  trail is 60 meters long(200 feet) joins the west cliff at the Yunmeng Fairy Summit, the summit of Tianmen Mountain and Zhang Jiajie. This glass-paved way is just under 3 inches thick[this state is quite scary] Sooner or later this trail will be a hot topic around the world. Tourist may get  the trill for 'standing on the sky', while loitering on that transparent trail. Tourists are suggested to wear protective shoes to avoid slippery on glass track . Chinese tourism department suggest tourist to cover their shoes for keeping the glass clean also(good idea!). Faint heart! please don't try to be a hero,be careful! there is no hospital around that trail.

It is going to be another bizarre and attractive path for many adventurous travelers very soon. I can imagine, the scenery of cliffs would be more exciting to watch from the railing of this glass plank road. Check out this short Youtube video[ by clouprai]:

----
Image and Info source : 1.Zhangjiajie Tourism | 2. afinance.cn | SkyNews

Possible Geo location : Google Map | Google Earth KMZ here

World's largest Jesus Christ Statue

World's largest Jesus Christ Statue

Swiebodzin (Swiebodzińskiego), Poland

Roman Catholic priests consecrated what local officials claim is the world’s largest statue of Jesus Christ in the presence of hundreds of Polish faithful on Sunday. Swiebodzin, a Polish town has officially unveiled the world’s largest Jesus statue- "Christ the King". The beautiful statue of Jesus surpasses the “Christ the Redeemer”, the famous Christ sculpture in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro.

Sourfce: Youtube.com

Giant statue of a crowned Jesus Christ being erected in Swiebodzin, Poland. The statue, similar in design to the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, will be more than 100ft tall. Locally known as Chrustusa white figure has more than 50 meters in height, of which 16 feet is piled a mound. On top of the 36-meter statue is gilded crown. Weight of the entire structure is estimated at 440 tonnes. This statue is lighter the in comparison to its progenitor. Miroslaw Kazimiez Patecki is the master architect of this Statue.

Similarity with The Redeemer is that both the Christ is clothed in long robes, standing motionless and outstretched hand, but the Polish version of the coat is much less clearcut and folded at the waist, a short tunic replaced the arm of the type imposed on the cape.


Here is a critical review by Piotr Sarzyński:

Head of Christ in Rio is gently lowered (looks over the city at the foot), and the face has a much more synthetic features, a beard almost merges with the cheeks, and managed to achieve a clear effect of gentle, thoughtful, even melancholy. Świebodzińskiego mug of Christ is more naturalistic, the head proudly raised, looking sober and penetrating, slightly imperious. Adds majesty crown, but will make the biggest impression, just when it all gilding and deposited on the head. But it is a problem. Well, designing a Christlike crown apparently not been historical and heraldic consultation and decided on its sleek, classic shape, called the corona Apert , or open. The problem is that it is a medieval symbol of vassal princes and kings, as distinct from sovereign rulers (Emperor), who are entitled to Claus corona (the crown is closed). As you can see, eager to exalt it must be able to.

Photo is taken by Sebastian Rzepiel for Agencja Gazeta

Distributed świebodzińskiego hands of Christ are directed slightly forward, as if in a gesture of thoughtfulness said: "Come to me, zdajcie under my care," in contrast to the profiles of the Rio, with his arms outstretched more and more with the intention of "behold, your whole". Both monuments cooperate well with their official names: Christ the Redeemer (Brazil) and Christ the King (Poland). Artistic quality difference can be seen primarily as compared physiognomy of both the sculptures in the expression of a strong, but outlined the simplest means, the face of Brazilian and fashioned with great care for detail, but without the creative spark - Polish. In sum, it is unlikely that the heirs' rights to the statue of the Rio wanted to assert copyright in a priest in Świebodzin.

This Statue is opened for all from last Sunday , 21-11-2010.

Thanks goes to : Tomasz Wiech

----------------

News Source:  Gazeta.pl | Polityka.pl |World News Insight | Guardian

Other Media : Google Earth KMZ | Google Map | More Photos

World's Tallest Wooden Skyscraper : Arkhangelsk

World's Tallest Wooden Skyscraper : Arkhangelsk
Архангельск : Russian Federation


As I mentioned about the Current Tallest Wooden Structure is situated in- 
Arkhangelsk, a city in Russia's far north-west, it is believed to be city of the world's tallest wooden house, soaring 13 floors to reach 144ft/43m high - about half the size of the tower of Big Ben. This unique house is also very popularly known as "the wooden gangster house" or "the largest log cabin in the world".

Yes! You are looking at the tallest wooden house in the world

The Story of The Fantasy Architecture 

Nikolay Sutyagin' the owner and the archeitecht of this house, started life in a Soviet communal two-storey flat. Sutyagin felt lonely living by himself. Building began in 1992 and for the past 15 years Sutyagin has dedicated much of his spare time transforming the house into what is considered the tallest wooden building in the world, or at least russia.

Pix credit: Lauri V from Panoramio

He was convinced by a trip to see wooden houses in Japan and Norway, he concluded that he had not used roof space efficiently enough and decided to keep building. The house is also crumbling, incomplete and under threat of demolition from city authorities. He firstly added three floors, but was not keen on the outcome, so he added more floors and just kept going....

worlds tallest log cabin and its architect,Pix from Design Boom

Nikolai Sutyagin's home is certainly different. Not only would his house be a perfect love nest, but it could even accommodate the 18 executives of his construction company. Now penniless Sutyagin lives in four poorly heated rooms at the bottom of his wooden log cabin with his wife. Many neighbours consider the building a monstrosity, others feel it is a glorified barn, fire hazard and eyesore but Sutyagin is determined to save his building and has erected a roof around the second floor that he says allows him to claim that everything above is decoration.

Yes! You are looking at the tallest wooden house in the world. Of course ! it's  man made.

Here is a TV report, shown in a Russian TV Channel, where NiKoaly described about his "perfection" and how did the possible 2 storied flat is emarged as a 13 storied log cabin. The city authority still not "happy" with its architecture, but this fantasy arcitecture, makes the city famous, watch:

 

Most impressive subject is that, Nikolay still thinks to grow his "Timber Temple" more higher...(thats my guess!)

....................................................

More Story | The Daily Telegraph | Common Gate 

 World Architecture News | Google Earth View (05/13/10)

World's Tallest Wooden Skyscraper : Kirkenes

Kirkenes is going to be the host of many architect and sky scraper lover. The Arctic border city of Norway is selected for the world's highest building ever constructed in wood, of course by a proper building plan. Currently the world's tallest wooden structure is a 144 feet, 13 story home in Arkhangelsk, Russia built by Nikolai  Sutyagin.

Barents Authority of Norway is providing the financial support for this master wooden structure. It will be their future secretariat. It will become a monument of 16-17 floors, all built in natural materials with innovative and environmental solution in all parts of building. 

According  Reilulf Ramstad the architect of the project - 

The idea is to construct a building which will be CO2 neutral., where the concept of the cycles of nature will be preserved. The firm is rely to integrate the systems that also enables it-to adept to the changing seasons and climate.

The planning also includes to reuse biodegradable house hold and industrial waste to produce biogas. Recycle materials from the surrounding area will be incorporated into the design, which is based on traditional architect from Russia, Sweden, Finland and Norway. The interior of the center will house energy efficient offices for the secretariat as well as a library, a theater and a creative environment for the artists, researchers, students and other relevant institutions.

...............................

Barents Region | Skyscraper Page | Inhabitat | Barents Observer | Google Earth View