Taiwan’s first sky ladder — the Zhushan Ladder Bridge in Nantou

Written/Compiled and Reported by Wei Ruyu

Situated in the Taiji Canyon of Dashan Mountain area in Zhushan Township, Nantou, the area features the swift-flowing Jiagaoliao Stream that has carved through hard sandstone layers, creating majestic canyon landscapes. Among them, the “Ladder Bridge,” completed in 2005 (the 94th year of the Republic of China), spans the hundred-meter-deep Taiji Canyon. It offers visitors a bird’s-eye view and a breathtaking panoramic scene. The bridge is 136 meters long, has 208 steps, and a height difference of 20 meters between its two ends. It can be considered Taiwan’s first and the world’s second stair-step-style suspension bridge, earning it the nickname “Sky Ladder.” This remarkable project also drew inspiration from the Kasaikake Bridge in Kadoma, Gunma Prefecture, Japan, and was constructed with the help of Japanese engineers invited to Taiwan.

Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit the Sky Ladder. However, as the area is located in the mountains, fog often forms in the afternoon. It is recommended that visitors enter the park in the morning and keep track of their visiting time to ensure they have enough time to explore. To avoid the large crowds during holidays, it is advised to arrive before 8:00 AM.

The Ladder Bridge area (i.e., the Sky Ladder Scenic Area) attracts many visitors every year. From 2011 to 2012 (the 100th year of the Republic of China), the site welcomed 250,000 visitors. Currently, it is open daily from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Visitors can exit at the Zhushan Interchange on National Highway 3, Kilometer 243, take Provincial Highway 3 toward Zhushan, head to the Zhushan Tourism Information Center, turn right onto County Road 49, then continue onto County Road 49-1 to admire the spectacular bamboo sea scenery in the “Guandiping” area, and then get back on County Road 49 toward D’aran Village to reach the destination. The drive from downtown Zhushan to the Sky Ladder takes about one hour.

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