The bridge's original 1930 design featured a suspension structure that was eventually deemed inadequate for modern transport needs.
The Mawuku River, which flows beneath the bridge, is one of the few rivers in Taiwan where natural limestone riverbed formations are visible.
The transition from a suspension bridge to an arch design in the 1950s is a rare example of hybrid civil engineering in rural Taiwan.
The river mouth near the bridge is a known site for observing glass eels during their migration season.
The bridge was specifically designed to navigate the challenging topography of the narrow, steep-sided Mawuku River canyon.
The Old Donghe Bridge is a historic arch bridge spanning the Mawuku River in Taitung, Taiwan, notable for its unique integration of two distinct structural engineering styles. Completed in 1930 during the Japanese colonial period, the bridge was originally constructed as a suspension bridge. It was later modified into a reinforced concrete arch bridge in 1953 to accommodate heavier traffic and improve structural integrity. The design incorporates a single, graceful arch that connects the steep, craggy cliffs of the Mawuku River gorge. It serves as a pedestrian-only walkway today, having been bypassed by the newer, wider Donghe Bridge nearby. The surrounding landscape is characterized by limestone formations and the turquoise waters of the river reaching the Pacific Ocean. It functions as a gateway to the Dulan mountain range and the coastal highway corridor.
From the center of the bridge looking down at the river mouth and the limestone-filled riverbed.
Walk the entire length of the bridge to view the contrast between the historic concrete arches and the natural river gorge.
Look for the local vendors selling Donghe steamed buns on the northern side of the main highway near the bridge entrance.
Use the nearby staircase to descend to the riverbank for a closer look at the unique limestone rock formations.
Do not attempt to cross the modern, high-traffic Donghe Bridge on foot; stay strictly on the pedestrian-only Old Donghe Bridge.
