Gaoping Old Iron Bridge Introduction
The Gaoping Old Iron Bridge, also known as the Lower Tamsui River Iron Bridge, is located between the Liukuaicuo Station and Jioucyutang Station on the Taiwan Railway. Built in 1913, it has a total length of approximately 1,526 meters, making it the longest iron bridge in Taiwan at the time and once the longest bridge in Asia. The Gaoping Old Iron Bridge significantly contributed to transportation between Kaohsiung and Pingtung, but due to factors such as riverbed erosion, damage from typhoons, and the expiration of its service life, the bridge piers became exposed and gradually unsafe for use. Consequently, the government planned to construct a new bridge, which was completed in 1987, leading to the retirement of the old bridge. In 1997, the Gaoping Old Iron Bridge was designated as a second-class national historic site. It was designed and constructed under the supervision of Japanese designer Toyo Iida, featuring a steel gray arch structure with 24 piers made of a mixture of bricks and granite. The construction relied heavily on manual labor, and the wide and swift-flowing Gaoping River further complicated the building process. After eight years, the iron bridge was finally opened to traffic. Today, the beautiful and majestic old bridge remains a sight to behold, evoking admiration for the hard work of its predecessors. Although the Gaoping Old Iron Bridge has been retired for many years, its historical contributions to the economic development and convenience of life in the Gaoping area cannot be erased. For the older generation, it still holds many memories of travels between the north and south. The current iron bridge has been planned as a scenic viewing platform, where visitors can walk along the tracks to enjoy the surrounding scenery during opening hours. At the other end of the entrance, an old train car is displayed for visitors to explore. Beneath the old iron bridge, the banks of the Gaoping River have been developed into a riverside leisure park, featuring well-designed pedestrian paths and bike lanes, as well as several artificial wetlands that help restore the ecology. This area is rich in natural resources, providing a habitat for various plants, insects, reptiles, fish, and birds, making it an ideal location for photography and ecological observation.
