Balin Bridge Introduction
In the boundless lush forests, the Balin Bridge is a delicate pink ribbon spanning both ends of the Dahan Creek, bringing travelers heading to the peach homeland a pleasant surprise. Ranked among the three famous bridges of the Northern Cross-Island Highway (the other two being the Lofu Bridge and the Dahan Bridge), Balin Bridge was completed in 2005 and is an essential landmark to visit in the Balin area. The steel bridge, measuring 220 meters in total length, has a maximum span of 185 meters, making it the crown jewel of the bridges along Dahan Creek. Compared to the old Balin Bridge, which allows traffic in only one direction and has a width of merely 4.5 meters, the Balin Bridge has greater traffic benefits; with a full width of 11.5 meters, including a 7.5-meter wide two-way lane and a 1.5-meter wide pedestrian lane, it helps alleviate the traffic flows during weekends heading to Lala Mountain and Jiao Ban Mountain. The gentle curves of the Dahan Creek show off a magnificent grandeur, and walking on it allows one to appreciate the impressive architectural craftsmanship. Below Balin Bridge, the magnificent view where Yufeng Creek and Sanguang Creek converge can be seen, and standing on the viewing platform next to the bridge offers a splendid sight of the old and new bridges framed by the emerald green valley, making the drive here worthwhile. Visiting Balin offers more than just quietly enjoying natural scenery; there are manually excavated tunnels at either end of the old bridge, which are no longer used as roads. Inside, they showcase paintings, traditional clothing, and agricultural specialties created by the Atayal indigenous people, allowing visiting guests to gain insights into local culture. Next to the exit of Tunnel No. 1 stands the "Balin Memorial Pillar" (Balin was the old name for the area), commemorating the completion of the Balin iron wire bridge built during the Japanese colonial period, which was the predecessor to the old Balin Bridge. For those who love to challenge themselves, an adventure journey awaits, as one can don bungee jumping gear and leap from the 43-meter high old Balin Bridge, screaming with excitement while enjoying the thrilling rush of extreme sports.
