Taming the building beast within

Two weeks ago, I visited one of the most beautiful areas in the country's western region. Deep in a lush green valley, Kazak herdsmen grazed their sheep and cattle. A glacier-fed river roared next to the road as snow-capped mountains towered before a deep-blue sky.

But most of the Chinese travelers on our minibus seemed indifferent to the breathtaking scenery - until they spotted an enormous bridge under construction ahead.

The suspended structure, looming about 20-stories high, was set to link the two sides of the valley and significantly reduce traveling time to the local scenic spots. Nearby residents would also stand to gain from better transport and a faster provision of supplies.