Gaoping Old Iron Bridge Introduction
The Gaoping Old Bridge, also known as the Lower Tamsui River Iron Bridge, is located between Liukuei Station and Jiouqitang Station of Taiwan Railways. Built in 1913, it spans approximately 1,526 meters, making it the longest iron bridge in Taiwan at that time and once ranked as the longest bridge in Asia. The Gaoping Old Bridge greatly contributed to the transportation between Kaohsiung and Pingtung; however, due to factors such as riverbed subsidence, damage from wind disasters, and reaching the end of its usable life, the bridge piers became exposed and increasingly precarious. The government planned to build a new bridge to replace it, and after the new bridge was opened to traffic in 1987, the Gaoping Old Bridge was retired and later designated as a national second-level historical monument in 1997. The bridge was designed and supervised by Japanese designer Toyoji Iida, featuring a gray steel arch shape with a total of 24 bridge piers, constructed from a mix of brick and granite. The construction relied almost entirely on human labor, and the wide, swift flow of the Gaoping River added to the difficulty of the project. After eight years of construction, the iron bridge was finally opened for use. Today, the old bridge remains beautiful and majestic, stirring admiration for the labor of those who built it. Although the Gaoping Old Bridge has been out of service for many years, its historical contributions to the economic development and convenience of life in the Gaoping area cannot be erased. For many older generations, it still carries numerous memories of travel during those times. The current iron bridge has been planned as a scenic platform, allowing visitors to walk along the railway tracks and enjoy the surrounding scenery during open hours. At one end of the entrance, an old carriage has been placed for tourists to explore. Below the old iron bridge, the banks of the Gaoping River have been developed into a riverside recreational park, featuring well-designed pedestrian walkways and bicycle paths, as well as several artificial wetlands that serve to restore the ecosystem. This area is rich in natural resources, inhabited by numerous plants, insects, reptiles, fish, and birds, making it a great spot for photography and ecological observation.
