Gaoping Old Railway Bridge Introduction
The Gaoping Old Iron Bridge, also known as the Lower Tamsui River Iron Bridge, is located between the Taiwan Railway Liougu Station and Jiuqu Tang Station. Built in 1913, it spans approximately 1,526 meters, making it the longest iron bridge in Taiwan at that time and was once considered the longest bridge in Asia. The Gaoping Old Iron Bridge greatly contributed to transportation between Kaohsiung and Pingtung, but due to factors such as riverbed subsidence, storm damage, and the bridge reaching its lifespan, the bridge piers became exposed and gradually unsafe for use. The government then planned to construct a new bridge, and after the new bridge opened in 1987, the Gaoping Old Iron Bridge was retired and designated as a national second-class historic site in 1997. Designed and supervised by Japanese designer Iida Toyoji, the bridge features iron-gray circular arch steel structures with a total of 24 piers, which are made of brick mixed with granite. The construction relied heavily on manual labor, and the wide and swift-flowing surface of the Gaoping River added to the difficulty of the project. After eight years, the iron bridge was finally opened for use. Today, the old bridge still stands beautifully and magnificently, and there is a sense of admiration for the hard work of those who built it. Although the Gaoping Old Iron Bridge has been decommissioned for many years, its historical contribution to the economic development and convenience of life in the Gaoping area cannot be erased. Perhaps in the minds of the older generation, it still carries many memories of travel between north and south during that time. The current iron bridge has been planned as a scenic platform, where visitors can walk along the tracks and enjoy the surrounding scenery during opening hours. At one end of the entrance, an old train car is displayed for tourists to visit. The area beneath the old iron bridge along the banks of the Gaoping River has been developed into a riverside leisure park, featuring well-designed pedestrian paths and bicycle lanes, along with several artificial wetlands that contribute to ecological restoration. This rich natural resource hosts numerous plants, insects, reptiles, fish, and birds, making it an excellent destination for photography and ecological observation.
