The bridge was once the longest road bridge in the world outside of the United States when it was completed in 1953.
Construction materials were largely sourced from steel bridge components intended for use in the American Midwest that were diverted to Taiwan.
The Zhuoshui River beneath the bridge is the longest river in Taiwan, known for its high silt content which earned it the name 'Muddy Water River'.
The bridge's original design integrated both automobile lanes and narrow-gauge tracks for the Taiwan Sugar Corporation's trains.
It was designated as a historic monument by the Yunlin County Government in 2005 to protect it from demolition.
The structure comprises 31 individual bridge piers supporting 32 spans of steel trusses.
The Xiluo Bridge south end serves as the Yunlin County anchor for a historic 1,939-meter-long steel truss bridge crossing the Zhuoshui River. Originally opened in 1953, the structure is famously painted a distinct bright red, earning it the local nickname 'Far Eastern Red Bridge.' It formerly functioned as a vital logistics link for the sugar industry, supporting narrow-gauge rail tracks that were once embedded in the bridge deck. Today, the bridge is restricted to pedestrians, cyclists, and small vehicles, serving primarily as a cultural heritage landmark. The southern approach features a riverside park area with walking paths that provide direct access to the riverbank. The bridge stands as a symbol of the post-war engineering collaboration between Taiwan and the United States.
From the river embankment at the Yunlin end, looking upward at the bridge's red truss geometry against the horizon.
Visit during the annual Xiluo Bridge Cultural Festival if your trip coincides with autumn to see local art installations.
Bring sun protection as the bridge deck is entirely exposed with no shade structures.
Check the local weather forecast specifically for wind speeds, as the river basin can be exceptionally windy.
Do not attempt to walk across the entire length of the bridge during midday summer heat without hydration, as the structure traps significant heat.
Remain within designated pedestrian walkways; do not climb on the bridge's external steel truss framework.
