Great Harbor Bridge (大港橋) @ Kaohsiung City in Taiwan

From far, the Great Harbor Bridge at Kaohsiung City doesn't seem like your typical bridge. If I didn't know better, it felt more like a yacht with a single mast, sans the sails. 

Once up close, it was a different feel altogether; more like a futuristic contraception of a satellite with the ability to shoot laser beams into the sky, somewhat like ability of the death star showcased in Star Wars film franchise.

Spanning 109.5 metres in length with a width ranging from five to 11 metres, this bridge starting construction in 2018 and inaugurated in 2020, well smacked in the midst of the COVID19 pandemic. 

While it might look "anchored", the bridge main support was actually only in the middle since it's a swing bridge that rotated once a day at 3pm on weekdays, with an additional timing at 7pm on weekends. Each rotation / swing takes 30 minutes.

Note: this is a pedestrian bridge. 

Cyclists have to walk, not ride their bikes.

Spectacular views on both facings at the bridge. 

This bridge cost NT$320 million, about S$14 million. 

The 356 meters tall Shoushan in the background of this picture. One of the reasons why I would return to Kaohsiung City is to hike up Shoushan, and I presume the view on top would be stunning, and by then, I would be able to share another picture that shows the Great Harbor Bridge instead.

Kaohsiung Music Center; an icon at the start of Love River, similar to the Merlion of Singapore River but this was a much larger, unique structure that shines at night.

Let's climb up to level two! 

Always nice to have an elevated view and I was hoping for some time-lapsed video recording here. But, it's midday and scorching for a December weather. I like being fair nowadays. 

Honestly, these looked like a pair of gigantic wings, arched up in flight! The material appeared to be steel painted white but it's "fibreglass reinforced plastic (FRP), which is the same material used in the fibreglass hull of luxury yachts."

Traffic lights; I am guessing this is for the periods that the bridge close for its daily (weekday), or twice a day (weekend) rotation! Nope, I didn't stick around till 3pm or 7pm (weekends only).

Penglai Commercial Area; with restaurants, souvenir shops etc.

There were also alfresco seating for some restaurants, which looked out to Kaohsiung Music Center and Kaohsiung's tallest building, 85 Sky Tower, which stands at 347.5 meters high. 

Video of  a replica of the bridge revolving.

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Address

Pier 2 District, Yancheng District, 

Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 

Map

As above

Click HERE for 11 Days, 10 Nights Taiwan Trip: Summarised Itinerary for Chiayi Alishan (嘉义阿里山) - Kaohsiung (高雄) - Tainan (台南) - Taichung (臺中)