Old Iron Bridge Wetland Education Park (Dazu Old Iron Bridge) Introduction
Jiu Tie Qiao Wetland Educational Park is located in Dashe District, stretching along the right bank of the Kaoping River from the Xiezhang Bridge to the Kaoping Bridge, covering an area of 300 hectares. This riverside area features water-friendly walking paths, riverside bike paths, natural ecological zones, park green spaces, and a coffee plaza. Among these, the Jiu Tie Qiao Wetland Ecological Park occupies over 100 hectares. This expansive and picturesque wetland educational park integrates the unique religious, cultural, historical sites, natural ecology, hydraulic culture, and scenery of Dashe District, making it a truly unique recreational and educational attraction in Taiwan. It is the best scenic spot along the Kaoping River, rich in flora and fauna, making it a great place for families to learn and play together, as well as an excellent location for photography, with the awakening light at sunrise and the sunset's reflection painting the water's surface like a series of landscape paintings. The "Kaoping Old Iron Bridge" within the park is a national monument, completed in 1913. Spanning the Kaoping River like a rainbow, it connects the two sides of Kaoping for railway transportation, marking an important chapter in Taiwan's livelihood and economic development and was the longest iron bridge in Asia at that time. Through revitalization and restoration, it has now become the Old Iron Bridge Sky Walk, providing a viewing platform for visitors to rest. The Old Iron Bridge, originally known as the Xiadanshui River Iron Bridge, was supervised by Japanese engineer Iida Toyoji and completed in 1913. It is a single-track railway bridge, 1,526 meters in length, made up of 24 sets of steel arch frames and granite brick piers, spanning the Kaoping River and linking the railway transport across Kaoping, marking an important chapter in Taiwan's livelihood and economic development, and was the longest iron bridge in Asia at that time. After a century of existence, the Old Iron Bridge has retired, but its historical, cultural, and architectural significance is worth preserving. In 2014, on the centenary of the bridge's construction, the city government conducted revitalization and restoration based on the principle of "not damaging any original components," creating a 307-meter-long and 8-meter-wide Sky Walk on the Old Iron Bridge. Steel plates were added to the gaps between the ties, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to pass and a viewing platform for visitors to rest. On the Sky Walk, in addition to closely experiencing the beauty of the heritage and iron bridge architecture, passing trains can also be seen. The lush wetlands and beautiful rivers and mountains along the Kaoping River reveal multi-layered grandeur in the morning light and evening glow, allowing visitors to enjoy the natural scenery and experience historical flavors, widening their horizons and hearts. The Jiu Tie Qiao Wetland Park is located between the Old Iron Bridge and the Kaoping Bridge, featuring 13 artificially excavated ponds, utilizing aeration, sedimentation, and microbial purification functions to achieve the natural purification of water sources. The wetland park insists on not using herbicides and maintains the ecological conservation of the Kaoping River bank, creating a friendly environment for plant growth and habitats for birds and aquatic animals. In this vibrant green area, visitors can enjoy the natural scenery via well-maintained walking and cycling paths and observe hundreds of species of wildlife and aquatic plants up close. The rich natural ecology and tranquil riverside scenery offer the best visual and spiritual enjoyment. The Kaoping River Weir requires a formal application for visits, as it serves a crucial role in managing water resources in southern Taiwan, which faces uneven rainfall and increasing water demands. The Kaoping River Weir, built within Dashe District of Kaohsiung City, is located two kilometers upstream from the Kaoping Railway Bridge. Since its operation in 2000, its daily water intake accounts for 63% of the daily water usage for the Greater Kaohsiung area, making it the most important water source for the region. The Kaoping River Weir is 960 meters long, with a fixed weir of 674 meters and 8 movable rubber dams totaling 286 meters, and features a "fish passage" for migratory fish to spawn upstream. This weir only raises the water level without storing water; it utilizes the country's first domestically produced rubber dam to block water during low water levels while releasing water downstream during wet periods, significantly contributing to river safety and water acquisition while minimizing ecological damage. The weir management office also has a water resource center providing detailed graphic explanations of the sustainable use of Kaoping River's water resources, which is highly educational. ▶ Learn more about accommodations in Dashe District.
