The Yutengping Broken Bridge, also known as the Longteng Bridge, is located in Longteng Village, Sanyi Township, Miaoli County. It was one of the important bridges on the early section of the Taiwan Trunk Railway and was completed in 1907. Combining red-brick arches, steel plate girders, and truss beams, the bridge was regarded as a masterpiece of early 20th-century engineering in Taiwan. At that time, its central span was also referred to as the “Naishagawa Second Iron Bridge.”
The area was once called “Yutengping” (Fish Vine Plain). According to legend, a carp spirit once troubled the village, and the locals planted yuteng (fish poison vines) throughout the area. They also named the nearby mountain “Guandaoshan” (Broadsword Mountain) to symbolize slaying the fish demon, after which peace returned. After World War II, since the name “Yuteng” was considered inelegant, the village was renamed “Longteng,” meaning “soaring dragon,” to convey auspiciousness.
In 1935, a devastating earthquake struck central Taiwan, with the epicenter near Guandaoshan. The Sanyi area was severely damaged, and the Longteng Bridge was almost completely destroyed, leaving only towering brick arch pillars at the site as a solemn reminder of history. A new bridge was later built to the west, while the old piers stood isolated in the valley, blending with the surrounding green mountains in a scene of rugged beauty. The 1999 Chi-Chi Earthquake (921 Earthquake) further damaged the ruins, causing additional sections of the arches to collapse, resulting in the appearance we see today.
The Longteng Bridge is now designated as a county-level historic site and an earthquake memorial. Its weathered red-brick ruins evoke a rustic historical atmosphere, making it one of the most iconic scenic spots along the Taiwan Railway’s Mountain Line.
