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The Alpspitze viewing platform comprises two steel beams, both of which measure 79 feet (24 meters) in length. Visitors brave enough to walk to the end of the glass-walled platforms can look 3,281 feet (1,000 meters) down into the valley.
There’s also a glass floor 1,122 feet (342 meters) above ground level, and although this glass is only 2.5 inches thick, it’s strong enough to hold 14 hippos — if they could fit in the elevator.
Visitors who step into one of the Ledge boxes in Chicago can see for 50 miles across four states. Six million people have ventured into the boxes since 2009, 500 people have proposed in them and visitors can now even get married in them.
The Cliffwalk is a 700-foot (213-meter) walkway attached to a granite cliff face above the Capilano River in British Columbia. The highest point is 300 feet (90 meters) above the river.
All of the parts — including 19 tons of steel — were lowered into place by helicopter.
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(CNN) — In July, the world’s newest vertigo-inducing observation deck opened in the mountains in Austria.
It joins an adrenaline-inducing roll call of clever platforms offering spectacular views.
1. Dachstein Stairway to Nothingness (Austria)
Visitors to Dachstein’s Stairway to Nothingness must first cross Austria’s highest bridge, which is 328 feet (100 meters) long and straddles a drop of 1,300 feet (396 meters).
They then face 14 steps that descend from the cliff face and which are surrounded by glass walls.
The entire structure took six months to build and was created by an engineering firm specializing in high-altitude construction.
The bridge that leads to the steps is the highest in Austria.
Dachstein Stairway to Nothingness, Dachstein Glacier, Austria; +43 0 3687/22042 800; admission free for children under 12, from $4 for adults
More: Insider Guide: Best of Vienna
2. Tokyo Skytree observation decks (Japan)
The Tokyo Skytree is the world’s third-tallest structure, with a height of 2,080 feet (634 meters), and has Japan‘s two tallest observation decks: the lower one is located at 1,148 feet (350 meters) and has a section of glass flooring. The upper one, which has floor-to-ceiling windows and 360-degree-views of the city, has a height of 1476 feet (450 meters).
On a clear day, Mount Fuji can be seen from the observation decks.
Tokyo Skytree, 1-1-2, Oshiage, Sumida, Tokyo; +81 (0)3 3623 0634; Admission: from $3 (£2) for children and from $10 (£6.60) for adults
3. Kinzua Skywalk (United States)
When the Kinzua Viaduct was built in Pennsylvania in 1882, it was the longest and highest viaduct in the world.
In 1900 it was rebuilt to carry heavier trains, using 3,175 tons of steel and 895,000 rivets.
In 2003, a tornado destroyed 11 of the 20 towers and it was decided that the remaining towers would be used to support the Skywalk.
The Skywalk extends 624 feet (190 meters) into the Kinzua Gorge and glass panels allow visitors to peer into the gorge below.
Kinzua Skywalk, 1721 Lindholm Drive, Mt. Jewett, Pennsylvania; +1 814 965 2646; admission: free
More: 10 easy ways to experience Navajo America
4. AlpspiX viewing platform (Germany)
At the base of Germany’s Alpspitze mountain, the AlpspiX viewing platform comprises two steel beams, both of which measure 79 feet (24 meters) in length.
Visitors brave enough to walk to the end of the glass-walled platforms can look 3,281 feet (1,000 meters) down into the valley.
The platform remains open in winter, when the grid flooring allows snow and ice to pass through.
AlpspiX viewing platform, Zugspitze, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany; admission: free
5. EdgeWalk CN Tower (Canada)
Located on the roof of the CN Tower’s restaurant at a height of 1,168 feet (356 meters), the EdgeWalk allows visitors to slip into climbing harnesses and walk around the edge of Canada’s tallest structure.
There’s also a glass floor 1,122 feet (342 meters) above ground level, and although the glass is only 2.5 inches thick, it’s reportedly strong enough to hold 14 hippos — if they could fit in the elevator.
The EdgeWalk holds the world record for world’s highest external walk attached to a building. CN Tower also has glass-floored observation deck and outdoor SkyTerrace.
EdgeWalk, CN Tower, 301 Front St. W., Toronto; +1 416 601 3833; admission: from C$20.40 ($19.80) for children and from C$27.20 ($26.43) for adults
6. The Ledge (United States)
The four boxes that make up The Ledge experience in Willis Tower, Chicago, are made from half-ton panels of glass. The walls consist of three layers, each half an inch thick.
Visitors who step into one of the boxes can see for 50 miles across four states.
Six million people have ventured into the boxes since 2009, 500 people have proposed in them and visitors can now even get married in them.
The boxes retract into the building when the windows need cleaning.
The Ledge, Willis Tower, 233 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago; +1 312 875 0066; admission: free for children aged under three, from $12 for children and $18 for adults
7. Cliffwalk (Canada)
The Cliffwalk is a 700-feet (213 meter) walkway attached to a granite cliff face above the Capilano River in British Columbia, Canada. The highest point is 300 feet (90 meters) above the river.
To attach the Cliffwalk, 16 anchor points were drilled 19 feet (six meters) into the rock face using 1,825 bolts, and 40 tons of steel were used.
The Cliffwalk also features two glass panels that have an anti-skid finish and were shipped over from Austria.
Cliffwalk, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver, British Columbia; +1 604 985 7474; admission: free for children aged under six, from C$12 ($11.50) for children and from C$28.95 ($28) for adults
More: How to pretend you’re Canadian when you travel
8. The View from The Shard (England)
London‘s The Shard is the tallest building in Western Europe and The View From The Shard is located on floors 68, 69 and 72.
The best panoramas are from floor 72, at a height of 800 feet (244 meters).
This open-air observation deck offers 360-degree views of the city.
Visitors can also look up into the “shards” of glass that form the top of the skyscraper.
The View From The Shard, 96 Tooley St., London; +44 0844 499 7111; admission: free for children aged under three, from £18.95 ($29) for children and £24.95 ($38) for adults
More: Rise of London’s pedal culture
9. Stegastein lookout (Norway)
The glass panel at the end of this walkway gives visitors the impression they could simply fall off the end.
Commissioned by the Norwegian Highway Department as part of a project to improve the appearance of the country’s tourist routes, the lookout allows visitors to look straight down into the Aurlandsfjord, 2,000 feet (609 meters) below.
Stegastein lookout, Aurland-Laerdal Road, Aurland, Norway; +47 57 63 33 13; admission: free
10. Top of Tyrol Stubai Glacier (Austria)
The Top of Tyrol viewing platform in Austria was completed in 2008 and provides visitors with spectacular views over 103 peaks.
All of the parts — including 19 tons of steel and a 164-foot (50-meter) hand rail were lowered into place by helicopter.
It’s 10,433 feet (3,180 meters) above sea level and 50-foot (15-meter) rock anchors keep the structure in place.
Top of Tyrol, Stubai Glacier, Austria; admission: free
11. Dachstein Glacier Skywalk (Austria)
The Dachstein Glacier in Austria actually comprises eight glaciers — a visit to this high-altitude, glass-bottomed walkway is a great way to see them all.
Visitors can see for hundreds of kilometers. On a clear day, the Triglav mountains of Slovenia and the forests of the Czech Republic can be seen.
Dachstein Glacier Skywalk, Dachstein Glacier, Ramsau am Dachstein, Austria; +43 22042 800; admission: free
12. Matteo Thun’s Viewing Platform (Italy)
The best views of Italy’s Merano region are from this binocular-shaped viewing platform, high above the gardens’ huge oak forest.
The viewing platform is just one of several within the gardens, which were recently named Italy’s most beautiful gardens.
The platform is suspended over the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff and was designed by architect Matteo Thun in 2005.
Matteo Thun’s Viewing Platform, Gardens of Trauttmansdorff, Via San Valentino, 51/a, 39012 Merano Bolzano, Italy; +39 0473 235730; admission: free for children aged under six. From $10.60 (£7) for children and from $12.60 (£8.20) for adults
More: 10 things Italy does better than anywhere else
13. Grand Canyon Skywalk (United States)
This steel and glass, horseshoe-shaped walkway extends 70 feet (21 meters) over the lip of the Grand Canyon, almost one mile above the valley floor.
The 90 tons of glass were imported from Germany. The Skywalk, which is bolted to the canyon’s rim, can support the weight of 70 747 passenger jets.
Apollo astronaut and the second person to set foot on the Moon, Buzz Aldrin was the first person to step onto the Skywalk, which cost $30 million to build.
Grand Canyon Skywalk, 5001 Buck n Doe Road. Grand Canyon West, Arizona; +1 888 868 9378; admission: from $29.95 per person
More: 31 beautiful sights on this incredible planet
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13 views for thrill seekers
Beijing’s smog has been particularly horrendous this year. Clear days like this one are photo-celebration worthy. Check out the contrast between the good days and the bad.
Even in Beijing, glorious days like this one come along once in a while. All photos in this gallery were taken August 29.
It’s uncommon to be able to see buildings in the distance through the usual smog. 
Travelers to Beijing this year will marvel at the clear skies in this photo. 
Cleaner air will mean the return of travelers who were put off by the city’s bad air this year.
What the Great Wall should look like every day. 
One of the main reasons for the city’s pollution is the geography, as the city is surrounded by mountains like a horseshoe, which means pollution gets blown in, builds up and remains stagnant over the capital on windless days. 
In addition to the government, the number of institutions and individuals looking for a solution is increasing. 
On certain days in Beijing, people can barely see or breathe. 
