Lóngténg Broken Bridge 龍騰斷橋 is a historic roadside attraction in the hills of Sānyì 三義 in Miáolì 苗栗, 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 Zhúnán 竹南 and Taichung 台中 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 it was designated a historic site by the Miaoli County government and subsequently developed for tourism along with the former Shèngxìng Station 勝興車站.

View Image Details The ruins of a Japanese colonial era railway bridge in the hills of Miaoli, Taiwan.

View Image Details A closer look at the bridge. You can walk up and around and stand on top of the section at the back.

I planned to visit the broken bridge on my round-the-island bicycle tour in 2013 but it was too dark by the time I arrived in Sānyì 三義. I briefly visited the bridge in 2014 along with a small tour group but it was raining and didn’t have a chance to explore the area. Only in early 2018 was I able to return and wander around the area to really get a sense of what remains.

View Image Details Longteng Broken Bridge from below.

View Image Details The angular outline of a bridge pylon in the jungle. View Image Details From the far side of the valley.

View Image Details This end of the collapsed bridge is far more scenic and overgrown.

In hindsight it should have been obvious but I was a little surprised to see the far side of the broken bridge after descending into the valley along a small trail. The more exposed end of the bridge next to the souvenir shops and food stalls is what you’ll usually see on travel and tourism brochures but the other side, with its pylons wrapped by banyan tree roots, should not be missed.

View Image Details Banyan trees grip the old red brick bridge pylons.

View Image Details Wrapped around the remains of the Longteng Broken Bridge.

View Image Details If I’m not mistaken this section only collapsed in the 921 Earthquake in 1999. This photo was shot on my original visit to the site in 2014.

View Image Details The broken bridge on a moody day in 2014. This was the only photo previously shared here.

This post was originally published in May 2014 but I’ve added a bunch of photos and updated the text since then (and bumped the date). For more photos and information about Longteng Broken Bridge try Josh Ellis Photography, Andre In Taiwan, The Daily Bubble Tea, and Taiwan Adventures.