Old Iron Bridge Wetland Education Park (Dashi Old Iron Bridge) Introduction
The Old Iron Bridge Wetland Educational Park is located in the Dashe District, stretching from the cable-stayed bridge to the Gaoping Bridge along the right bank of the Gaoping River, covering an area of 300 hectares. It features riverside walking paths, bicycle lanes, natural ecological zones, park green spaces, and a coffee plaza. Among these, the Old Iron Bridge Wetland Ecological Park occupies over 100 hectares. This expansive wetland educational park boasts beautiful natural scenery, combining the unique and numerous religions, cultures, historical sites, natural ecology, water culture, and landscapes of the Dashe District. It is a very unique recreational tourism and educational destination in Taiwan, making it the best viewing spot along the Gaoping River, rich in diverse animal and plant ecology. It's a great place for families to learn and have fun together as well as an excellent location for photography enthusiasts. The awakening light at sunrise and the sunset reflected in the water create breathtaking views akin to picturesque paintings. The "Gaoping Old Iron Bridge" in the park is a national historical monument completed in 1913, spanning the Gaoping River like a rainbow and connecting the rail transport between two areas. It marked a significant chapter in Taiwan's social and economic development and was the longest iron bridge in Asia at that time. Through revitalization and restoration, it has become the Old Iron Bridge Skywalk, featuring viewing platforms for visitors to rest. The Old Iron Bridge, originally known as the Lower Tamsui River Iron Bridge, was constructed under the supervision of Japanese engineer Iida Toyoji and was completed in 1913. It is a single-track iron bridge with a total length of 1,526 meters, consisting of 24 steel arches and granite brick piers, linking the two areas over the Gaoping River. Having aged over a century, the Old Iron Bridge has retired from its operational duties, but its historical, cultural, and architectural significance deserves to be preserved sustainably. In 2014, marking the centennial of its construction, the municipal government undertook a revitalization and restoration plan without damaging any of the original components, creating a 307-meter long and 8-meter wide Skywalk on the Old Iron Bridge. Steel plates were installed in the gaps of the ties to allow people to walk and bicycle and viewing platforms were constructed for tourist relaxation. Walking along the Skywalk not only allows for an up-close appreciation of the beauty of the historical and iron bridge architecture but also provides a view of trains whizzing by. The lush wetlands and beautiful rivers and mountains along the Gaoping River exhibit multi-layered grandeur in the morning light and evening glow. Visitors can immerse themselves in natural scenery and experience historical charm, broadening their horizons and uplifting their spirits. The Old Iron Bridge Wetland Park is located between the Old Iron Bridge and Gaoping Bridge, featuring 13 artificial ponds excavated for purification using aeration, sedimentation, and microorganisms, achieving the function of purifying water sources through nature. The wetland park insists on not using herbicides, maintaining agricultural ecology to conserve the banks of the Gaoping River, creating a friendly environment for plant growth as well as habitats for birds and aquatic animals. In this vibrant green park, visitors can enjoy the natural scenery through well-maintained walking and biking paths and observe hundreds of species of wildlife and aquatic plants up close. The rich natural ecology and tranquil riverside views provide the best visual and spiritual enjoyment. The Gaoping River Barrage requires a formal application for entry, as the water usage in southern Taiwan has grown considerably due to uneven rainfall. The barrage is located two kilometers upstream from the Gaoping Railway Bridge in Dashe District, Kaohsiung City. Since its operation in 2000, it accounts for 63% of the daily water usage in the Greater Kaohsiung area, making it the most important water source in the region. The Gaoping River Barrage is 960 meters long, with a fixed weir of 674 meters, eight movable rubber dams extending a total of 286 meters, and a "fishway" to allow migratory fish to swim upstream for spawning. This barrage raises water levels without providing water storage, using the first domestically produced rubber dam to block water at low water levels while allowing downstream flow during high water periods, contributing significantly to water safety and resource acquisition while minimizing ecological disruption. Additionally, there is a Water Resources Museum at the management office of the barrage, providing detailed graphic explanations on the sustainable use of Gaoping River water resources, which is highly educational.
