Take your selfie skills to the next level at the observation deck of the Skyscape at Menara JLand. — Photos: Filepic
Constructing bridges and flooring from glass may be unfathomable to some, considering it isn’t the most durable of materials – especially when it comes to bearing the full weight of a human being standing and walking on it, let alone hundreds (or thousands!) in one go.
Still, that doesn’t hinder humankind from incorporating it into structural designs.
Much to the despair of acrophobics (people with a fear of heights) everywhere, technology has advanced so much in the 21st century that not only is it possible to use glass more often to build bridges and such, now these glass bridges can even be hundreds of metres long and tall.
Some examples include the world’s longest glass bridge, Bach Long Bridge in Vietnam that stretches 632m long, and the world’s highest glass bridge, Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge in China, that rises 300m above the ground.
While Malaysia may not boast such glass structures on a grand scale, we do have quite a few of these peppered across the country, which are perfect for local explorations.
The majestic Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge boasts two skybridges connecting its four towers.Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge, Terengganu
Being a drawbridge alone is enough of a ... draw for tourists to flock to this unique structure (whose design is reminiscent of London’s Tower Bridge), especially since it is the first drawbridge or bascule bridge in Malaysia as well as South-East Asia. And its distinctive features don’t end there.
The Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge, measuring 638m long and 89m high, also has its very own skybridge – in fact, it has not just one, but two. As the bridge comprises four 15-storey high towers, each two are connected by a skybridge. One of the skybridges houses a gallery, while the other a restaurant.
At the far end of each of the skybridges is a Sky Terrace, and this is where visitors can enjoy looking through glass floors at the river view below.
Clear and colourful, the Tenom Yong Farmstay glass bridge was the first of its kind to open in Sabah. — Tenom Yong Farmstay
Bungalio Hill and Tenom Yong Farmstay, Sabah
Sabah doesn’t just have its iconic Jambatan Tamparuli, it also boasts an impressive 120m-long and 33.5m-high glass bridge. Ever since its soft opening in May 2023, visitors have flocked to Bungalio Hill for the stunning views and Insta-worthy snapshots the glass bridge offers from its hilltop location.
While it may be the longest and the highest one, it is actually not the first glass bridge in the state as many social media posts touted. That title belongs to the colourful glass bridge located at the Tenom Yong Farmstay.
Smaller in stature it may be – at 21.21m long and 6.1 high – it nevertheless created a unique tourist attraction in the Tenom district since it opened in late 2018. Supported by multi-coloured beams, the glass surface mimics a reflective mirror from certain angles, giving photos a “sky mirror” effect.
Bungalio Hill is Sabah’s longest and highest glass bridge. — Bungalio Hill
Skyscape, Menara JLand, Johor
As the first aerial entertainment space in Johor Baru, Skyscape truly does “elevate” one’s experience in the city since its opening in 2019.
Situated atop the 37-storey high Menara JLand, it offers fun for the whole family as it houses a mini theatre, a VR game booth and an LED Tunnel, among others.
For a sweeping view of the city, the Observation Deck, which is an indoor space with expansive windows, and the Skybridge, a smaller outdoor area with glass floors perched 149m above the ground, are a must-visit.
The Shore Sky Tower, Melaka
At 163m high, The Shore Sky Tower is the tallest building in Melaka. Thus, it presents an unparalleled 360° panoramic view of the historic city from its glass-fenced observation deck.
Aside from the unobstructed surrounding views through the glass railings, visitors may also catch an interesting view of the ground below through the glass portion of the deck’s floor.
Adding to the thrill is the fact that anyone looking to enjoy this sky-walk experience will first have to traverse a glass-panelled path to reach the viewing platform at Level 43.
To experience the world’s highest two-storey bridge, visit the double-decker skybridge at KLCC.
Sky Deck KL Tower and Skybridge Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur
Speaking of the tallest buildings, Malaysia’s most iconic KL-based towers make the list too. The seventh tallest free-standing tower in the world, aka the 421m-tall KL Tower, features an open-air viewing deck that’s 276m above the ground with a 360° panoramic view of the capital city.
The tower’s Sky Deck also features a glass Sky Box, aptly named as it is a box-shaped platform that extends over the edge for an even more immersive experience.
Meanwhile, over at the tallest twin towers in the world is a double-decker skybridge that connects the Petronas Twin Towers’ 41st and 42nd floors. At 170m high, the KLCC Skybridge holds the distinction as the world’s highest two-storey bridge.
For an even higher aerial view, the Observation Deck on the 86th floor of Tower 2 offers exactly that.
Eagle’s Nest Skywalk and Langkawi Sky Bridge, Kedah
The Langkawi Sky Bridge features a few transparent sections on its 125m long trail. These glass bottoms were installed following the bridge’s 2012 renovation.
However, visitors looking for a more novel experience will soon get to soar above the scenic vista of Langkawi at the upcoming world’s longest free-standing skywalk, namely the Eagle’s Nest Skywalk.
News about the 38m-long eagle-shaped glass sky deck atop Gunung Machinchang started appearing online as early as May 2023, claiming the expected opening date as July 2023. Sadly, it has yet to open to the public as of early 2024.
The Rainbow Skywalk in Penang. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
Rainbow Skywalk, Penang
Also known as the Komtar Skywalk, as it is located atop the 68-storey Komtar Tower as part of the Top Penang Theme Park, Rainbow Skywalk is not only the highest outdoor glass skywalk in the country but also the first curved skywalk in the world.
Standing on the open-air U-shaped walkway that extends over the edge of the rooftop, visitors get to look down through its glass flooring and see what’s it like “hovering” 249m above ground.
If rain were to interfere (causing the skywalk to be inaccessible), there is always the indoor Observatory Deck at Level 65 to experience. There is a smaller glass platform here, which may be even more goosebump-inducing because of how clear the glass is, giving the illusion of simply “walking on air”.
The Sky Window looming in the background as Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg (in white) and his entourage tour the Batu Kawah Riverbank Park in Kuching. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
Sky Window and Tasik Biru Glass Bridge, Sarawak
Built under Phase 1 of the Batu Kawah Riverbank Park project that started in 2018, the Sky Window or Sky Bridge was completed in 2022.
While not a glass walkway per se, this eight-storey tall bridge (whose “window shape” becomes apparent when viewed from afar) does offer an unobstructed aerial view of Kuching from its 30.48m-long sky deck.
For an actual glass bridge, visitors to Tasik Biru (Blue Lake) in Bau will get to experience that at the lake’s Golden Hill Taoist Temple. The bridge, officially launched in February 2023 along with the 200-year-old temple’s reopening, is a bright red 30m structure that ends with a glass viewing platform overlooking the lake.
