By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Department

The park overpass connecting Gushan and Yancheng, after the completion of the new coastal flat road, has been redesigned and transformed into the Sky Observatory, which officially opened on the 26th. Mayor Chen Chu stated that the Sky Observatory offers close-up views of the Hamasen Railway Cultural Park and the green corridor along Park Road, while from afar one can see cruise ships entering the Port of Kaohsiung. The old bridge, just like the former railway, has been given a new lease on life.

The park overpass, built in 1976, spanned the railway to connect Gushan and Yancheng. After the construction of the flat road, it lost its traffic function, and its approaches at both ends had long affected the cityscape. It was originally set to be completely demolished, but the red arched bridge, which had served for 38 years, is a historical memory of Kaohsiung’s urban development. Therefore, it was decided to retain the main structure and transform it into the Sky Observatory.

Meanwhile, the old harbor line, which had been in operation for a full century, ceased service in 2008 and was also set to fade into history. However, the city government preserved 38 sections of the old railway tracks and turned them into the “Hamasen Railway Cultural Park,” which, together with Yancheng’s Pier-2 Art Center, has become a favorite spot for both locals and tourists visiting Kaohsiung.

The design concept of the Sky Observatory is such that during the day, it brings the white clouds in the sky closer to your head, functioning as a parasol; at night, it becomes a shining new landmark of the railway park, and the cast iron expansion joints originally embedded in the asphalt of the overpass have been transformed into comfortable benches on the bridge.

In addition, the other end of Park Road has been shaped like the bow of a large ship; there are also 11 track chairs on the railway below that can be sat or lain on. From the Sky Observatory, one can overlook the Railway Cultural Park and the green corridor along Park Road, and gaze out at cruise ships entering the Port of Kaohsiung — a relaxing and leisurely experience.

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