New attraction: glass skywalk platform stirs excitement before opening

Text by / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

A new glass skywalk attraction has emerged — the “Frog Stone Skywalk” in Jianshi Township, Hsinchu, officially opened on February 1, 2018. In addition, the renovation project of the Zhuliao 58 Line’s “Xinle Bridge” is set to be completed next February. The Xinle Bridge features a color scheme based on blue, white, and pink, with both sides decorated with indigenous totem designs to show respect for local culture. The skywalk plans to maintain traffic via shuttle parking and will incorporate smart guided tours and indigenous cultural-rooted software applications, linking local attractions to develop tourism.

The scenic Frog Stone Skywalk in Jianshi offers a dreamlike landscape, with the 40-meter Frog Stone Waterfall above and changing mountain mists visible below. The area is rich in wildlife species. The skywalk will allow only 20 visitors at a time and will charge an admission fee. The Zhuliao 58 Line’s Xinle Bridge was built in 1981. Due to typhoons causing rapid and fierce currents, the bridge’s steel reinforcements have rusted, and the piers have been under long-term impact from debris and sediment, with significant peeling visible on the concrete surface — urgent improvements are needed.

The bridge features a steel arch, center-span, single-span design, with a total length of 198 meters. Marked pedestrian paths are installed on both sides for the daily commute of students from Xinxin Elementary School in the township.

The Neiwan Scenic Area is adjacent to the bustling Neiwan Old Street, attracting a large number of tourists every year, as well as many rail fans drawn to the Neiwan Branch Line trains. The county government is actively promoting railway tourism in hopes of drawing more visitors. Taiwan Railways has also built a sound-and-light projection turntable here. Surrounding elements include the preservation of old trees, a viewing wooden platform designed with the terrain in mind, accessible ramps, LED light strip guide railings, and interactive audiovisual equipment (outdoor high-brightness projectors, outdoor-specific speakers, and audiovisual control systems), combining sound, light, and video to narrate the 100-year history of Taiwan Railways and the development of the Hsinchu Neiwan Line.