Gaoping Old Railway Bridge Introduction
The Gaoping Old Iron Bridge, also known as the Lower Tamsui River Iron Bridge, is located between Liukuei Station and Jiuqufang Station on the Taiwan Railway. Built in 1913, with a total length of approximately 1,526 meters, it was the longest iron bridge in Taiwan at the time and was once ranked as 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 subsidence, damage from storms, and reaching its serviceable lifespan, the bridge piers became exposed and gradually unsustainable for use. The government then planned to construct a new bridge to replace it, and after the new bridge was opened in 1987, the Gaoping Old Iron Bridge was retired and designated as a second-class national monument in 1997. The bridge was designed and supervised by Japanese designer Iida Toyoji, featuring a gray iron circular arch steel structure with a total of 24 piers, constructed from a mix of bricks and granite. The construction relied heavily on manual labor, and the wide and swift-flowing waters of the Gaoping River added to the difficulty of the project, which took eight years to complete before the iron bridge was finally opened. Today, looking at the old bridge, it remains beautiful and majestic, evoking admiration for the hard work of previous generations. Although the Gaoping Old Iron Bridge has been retired for many years, its historical contribution to the economic development and convenience of life in the Gaoping area cannot be erased. Perhaps in the memories of the older generation, it still carries many reminiscences of the travel back and forth during that time. The current iron bridge has been planned as a viewing platform, allowing visitors to walk along the tracks during open hours to appreciate the surrounding scenery, with an old train car displayed at one end for visitors 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 bike paths, as well as several artificial wetlands that serve ecological restoration purposes. This area is rich in natural resources, home to numerous plants, insects, reptiles, fish, and birds, making it an excellent location for photography and ecological observation.
