Three Must-Visit Historic Railway Bridges in Taiwan ! Not Only Photogenic but Also Bearing a Century of History

By / Sharelife Sharing Life

Bridges are not just connectors between two shores—they span time and history. With the passage of time, these iron bridges have become new hotspots for travelers to take photos and have reclaimed the spotlight. ShareLife introduces three uniquely meaningful bridges. Next time you visit, don’t just snap a few pictures—take a moment to soak in their classic charm.

Taichung: Da’anxi Hualiang Steel Bridge | A Century-Old Railway Secret Spot and the Most Scenic Railway Branch▲(Photo / Taichung Tourism Bureau)

Located in Taichung, the Dajiaxi Iron Bridge, also known elegantly as the “Da’anxi Hualiang Steel Bridge,” was built in April 1908. It was part of the old mountain line railway, specifically the section between Houli and Huludun (now Fengyuan District). Originally a bridge connecting the north and south of the longitudinal railway, after the old mountain line ceased operation, it was incorporated into the Houfeng Bicycle Trail.

▲(Photo / Taichung Tourism Bureau)

The Dajiaxi Iron Bridge features a steel truss structure, designed with a through Pratt truss. Its piers are constructed from brick corner stones. Due to its distinctive Huagang (flower beam) steel bridge appearance, it is called the “Huagang Steel Bridge,” and it is currently the longest among only three surviving iron bridges in Taiwan (the other two being the Dajiaxi Iron Bridge and the Gaoping River Old Iron Bridge in Kaohsiung).

Yunlin: Huwei Sugar Factory Iron Bridge | A Narrow-Gauge Railway and a Taiwan Sugar Company Iron Bridge
▲(Photo / Reporter ShareLife Sharing Life)

Behind the sugar factory lies the “Huwei Sugar Factory Iron Bridge,” formerly known as the “Fan Shu Zhuang Ban Zi Qiao” and also called the Huwei Iron Bridge. The bridge spans the Huwei River and consists of three connected steel sections. Unlike the other two iron bridges, it was originally built by the Japanese government to transport sugarcane. However, tracing back to its origins, it was actually a wooden bridge used by villagers for crossing. It was later redesigned by a British company into its current form.

▲(Photo / Reporter ShareLife Sharing Life)

The Huwei Iron Bridge has a total of 23 piers and 22 spans. The truss designs of each section vary and can be broadly categorized into four types: spatial truss steel beams, planar truss steel beams, I-beam steel plates, and H-beams. It is currently the only dismantlable bridge in Taiwan. Although narrow-gauge trains no longer run on it, the bridge still stands firmly. The public can walk across the iron bridge to the fields on the other side and experience a different historical landscape.

Kaohsiung: Gaoping Old Iron Bridge | Strolling Along a Century-Old Railway and Embracing a Slow Life in an Eco Park

When it comes to the “Xiadianxi Iron Bridge,” many may not be familiar with it, but if you say “Gaoping Old Iron Bridge,” it’s a well-known century-old railway bridge. The Gaoping Old Iron Bridge, which opened in 1914, was built by Japanese engineer Iida Toyoji. It is located between Jioujiutang Station and Liukuozuo Station on the Pingtung Line. It was decommissioned in 1992 and became a national monument.

▲(Photo / Xia Lin)

The largest iron bridge in the East, the bridge stretches 1,526 meters in length and is a single-track railway. It was constructed using a simply supported, symmetrical, mountain-shaped steel truss design. At the time, all the steel materials were manufactured in Japan, transported via the ports of Kaohsiung and Keelung, and then assembled manually. It became the longest bridge in Asia and was also known as the “Largest Iron Bridge in the East.” Now integrated with the surrounding area as the “Old Iron Bridge Wetland Education Park,” apart from strolling along the century-old railway, it also offers educational and ecological significance.

These beautiful bridges have carried countless travelers returning home, and many livelihoods have been slowly transported along the trains on the railways. These iron bridges are not only witnesses of history but also a touch of memory for veteran travelers and a source of inspiration for new ones.

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