Kaohsiung’s “Sky Viewing Platform” Opens, Offering Views of Cruise Ships Entering the Harbor

Reported by You T-Ru / Comprehensive Report

The park overpass connecting Gushan and Yancheng districts was redesigned as the Sky Viewing Platform after the completion of the new coastal flat road, and officially opened today (the 26th). The platform offers close-up views of the Hamasen Railway Cultural Park and the green corridor along Park Road, while from afar, visitors can watch cruise ships entering Kaohsiung Port. Like the old railway before it, this aged bridge has been given new life.


▲ The Sky Viewing Platform provides close-up views of the Hamasen Railway Cultural Park and the green corridor along Park Road.

Built in 1976, the park overpass spanned the railway to connect Gushan and Yancheng. After the construction of the flat road, it no longer served a transportation function, and its approaches had long affected the city’s appearance. Originally slated for full demolition, the red arched bridge—which had served the city for 38 years—was considered an important piece of Kaohsiung’s urban development history. Therefore, the decision was made to preserve the main structure and transform it into the Sky Viewing Platform. Meanwhile, the old harbor line, which had operated for a full century, ceased service in 2008 and was also set to fade into history. However, the Kaohsiung City Government preserved 38 sections of the old railway tracks and turned them into the “Hamasen Railway Cultural Park,” which, together with the Pier-2 Art Center in Yancheng, has become a favorite spot for both locals and tourists visiting Kaohsiung.

The design concept of the Sky Viewing Platform is to bring the white clouds of the sky closer overhead during the day, serving as a sunshade. At night, it becomes a glowing new landmark for the railway park. The original expansion joints embedded in the asphalt of the overpass have also been transformed into comfortable benches on the bridge, available for visitors to use.

%The design concept, as envisioned by Zhao Pu, brings the white clouds of the sky closer overhead during the day, serving as a sunshade.