Gaoping Old Bridge and Riverside Park

The Gaoping Old Bridge, also known as the Xiadanshui River Bridge, is situated between TRA's Liukuaicuo Station and Jioucyoutang Station. Built in 1913, it spans approximately 1,526 meters, making it Taiwan's longest railway bridge at the time, and once recognized as the longest bridge in Asia. The Gaoping Old Bridge made significant contributions to transportation between Kaohsiung and Pingtung. However, due to various factors such as riverbed lowering, typhoon damage, and reaching the end of its service life, the pier foundations became exposed and it gradually became unusable. The government then planned to construct a new bridge to replace it. After the new bridge opened to traffic in 1987 (ROC Year 76), the Gaoping Old Bridge was retired, and in 1997 (ROC Year 86), it was designated a Level 2 National Historic Site. The Gaoping Old Bridge was designed and supervised by Japanese designer Iida Toyoji. Its arches feature an iron-grey, curved steel structure, supported by 24 piers. These piers were built from a mixture of bricks, stones, and granite. Its construction relied almost entirely on manual labor, and the wide expanse and rapid currents of the Gaoping River further intensified the construction challenges. After eight years, the bridge finally opened to traffic. Looking at the old bridge today, it remains as beautiful and magnificent as ever, but it also evokes a deeper sense of admiration for the arduous efforts of its builders. Although the Gaoping Old Bridge, still spanning the Gaoping River, has been retired for many years, its historical contributions to promoting economic development and enhancing daily convenience in the Gaoping region are undeniable. Perhaps in the minds of the older generation, it still holds many memories of traveling back and forth during that era. Today, the old bridge has been repurposed as a scenic viewing platform. During opening hours, visitors can walk onto the tracks to admire the surrounding scenery. At the other end of the entrance, an old train car is on display for visitors to explore. Along the banks of the Gaoping River, beneath the old bridge, a riverside recreational park has been developed. The park features well-designed pedestrian and cycling paths, and several artificial wetlands have been created, serving an ecological restoration function. This has made the natural resources here quite rich, with numerous plants, insects, reptiles, fish, and birds inhabiting the area, making it an excellent spot for photography and ecological observation.