Xingjia Suspension Bridge Introduction
Wang Neon - Hsing Chia Suspension Bridge, as the name suggests, is a suspension bridge that passes through Chiayi City. It was built in 2007 to facilitate the commute of students and residents across the river, funded and constructed by the well-known He Ming-De Charity Organization. The bridge connects Hsing-An Village and Hsing-Cun Village. Hsing Chia Suspension Bridge features a 3.1-kilometer bike path lined with Taiwan Flame Trees. On the south side are the Riverside Sports Park and Aquatic Park in the Hsing-Ren section; along with the riverbank ecological trail, ecological gardens, and religious wood sculptures at Ci Hsuan Temple in the Hsing-Cun section, all symbolize the gradual formation of an ecological leisure space in the southern area of Chiayi City. Currently, in order to promote local tourism, the Chiayi City Government has installed night neon lights on the bridge, making the suspension bridge glow under the night sky, resembling a long, sparkling necklace of luminous pearls, standing out vividly and beautifully as a landmark in the urban landscape. Historical Trivia: Hsing Chia Suspension Bridge is the 330th bridge built by the He Ming-De Charity Organization and is the longest bridge constructed to date, with all funding and labor provided by the organization alone. Construction began on November 26, 2006, and was completed on September 23, 2007, taking a total of 10 months. The bridge is 297 meters long, 33.2 meters high, and 1.65 meters wide, featuring a double-span three-pier design. To ensure the safety of pedestrians and avoid sway during strong winds, steel beams and support decking were laid during construction, with wooden handrails and steel frames on both sides. Additionally, to increase the stability of the suspension bridge, centipede-like steel cables were specially installed on both sides beneath the bridge deck for reinforcement.
