龍騰斷橋

Longteng Broken Bridge

April 2nd, 2018

Lóngténg Broken Bridge (龍騰斷橋) is a historic roadside attraction in the rolling hills of Sanyi in southern Miaoli, Taiwan. More formally known as Yúténgpíng Broken Bridge (魚藤坪斷橋), it was originally constructed in 1907 during the Japanese colonial era, connecting Zhunan and Taichung along what is now known as the Old Mountain Line (舊山線). The bridge collapsed during the devastating 1935 Hsinchu-Taichung Earthquake but the ruins were never cleared away. Further damage was done in the 921 Earthquake in 1999. Several years later, in 2003, it was designated a historic site by the county government and subsequently developed for tourism along with the former Shèngxìng Railway Station (勝興車站).

Yutengping Broken Bridge (魚藤坪斷橋) — The ruins of a Japanese colonial era railway bridge in the hills of Miaoli, Taiwan.

The original bridge had a hybrid design, combining brick archways at both ends with a central steel truss for a total length of 165 meters. After suffering damage in the 1935 quake the steel truss was dismantled, leaving behind only the cracked piers and crumbling archways. A new iron bridge with a span of 200 meters was completed in 1938 immediately to the north, and while it hasn’t been in regular service since around 1998, the TRA still runs special trains down this line on occasion.

A Railway Bridge Destroyed in 1935 — A closer look at the bridge. You can walk up and around and stand on top of the section at the back.

A Broken Bridge in Miaoli County — Longteng Broken Bridge from below.

Bridge Pylon Obscured on the Far Side — The angular outline of a bridge pier in the jungle.

Bridge Pylon Beneath the Overgrowth — From the far side of the valley.

The Far Side of Longteng Broken Bridge — This end of the collapsed bridge is far more scenic and overgrown.

Tourist brochures and online promotions typically focus on the more exposed ruins of the bridge on the northeastern side, close to the souvenir stalls, snack vendors, and parking lots, but it is worth taking the time to see the far side of the bridge too. The most iconic segment of the bridge consists of three piers and partial archways still standing and a fourth that collapsed in the 921 Earthquake. A short trail descends into the valley from this point, and after a few minutes one will reach the shadowy side of the valley, which is home to several more piers colonized by banyan trees.

Overgrown Bridge Pylons in Sanyi Township — Banyan trees grip the old red brick bridge piers and broken archways.

A Bridge Pylon Colonized — Wrapped around the remains of the Longteng Broken Bridge.

Fragments of Longteng Broken Bridge (龍騰斷橋) — The jumbled ruins of the No. 4 pylon, which collapsed in the 921 Earthquake in 1999.

Longteng Broken Bridge (龍騰斷橋) — The broken bridge on a moody day in 2014.

This post was originally published in May 2014 with a small number of photos captured around that time. It has since been expanded with more photos taken in 2018, and additional text in 2023.