News

    Guardrails were installed along the most legendary County Historical Monument in Nantou – the Glutinous Rice Bridge in Guosing Township. The opening ceremony for the bridge was held on December 27, 2018. At the venue, in addition to mochi making and tasting activities, an exhibition of the award-winning pieces from the bridge drawing contest was held. The Taiko team of the Chang Liou Elementary School performed to announce the beginning of the ceremony. County Magistrate Lin Min-chen, area residents and elderly members of neighboring communities walked across the Glutinous Rice Bridge accompanied by the cure fire dragon dance troupe form Chang-Fu Elementary School, symbolizing the rejuvenation of the bridge. It also signified passing on the tradition.

    In addition to County Magistrate Lin, Legislator Ma Wen-chun, Director Lin Rong-shen from the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Nantou County Government, Director-General Xiao Wen-cheng of the Department of Planning, County Councilors Lin Fang-yu, Chen Yi-jun, and Ye Ren-chuang, Supervisor Chiu Pu-sheng of Guosing Township, and many local representatives, village heads, residents of local communities and many others participated in the opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony.

    County Magistrate Lin expressed that the Glutinous Rice Bridge remains firm from the attacks of typhoons, floods, and other disasters. To refurbish the historical monument, he began to secure funds from the county government for its reconstruction when he was still a legislator. As a result, the abutments and foundation were enhanced. In the past few years, to maintain pedestrian safety, new guardrails were designed. After repeated coordination, these safe and pretty guardrails were installed. He feels glad that the bridge is reopening. In the future, the Nantou County Government plans to assign this piece of national land to the management of Nantou County Government. In addition, its land category will be changed into ‘land for leisure purposes.’ The utilization of surrounding land will be planned in such a way as to attract more visitors to come and spend money there, with the goal of developing local tourism.

    Regarded as a County Historical Monument, the Glutinous Rice Bridge of Beigang Village in the Guosing Township had been damaged by typhoons, downpours, and other disasters. These disasters delayed the bridge’s refurbishment. As the guardrails on the walls were washed down, Jersey concrete barriers were installed. In this year, Nantou County Government listed a budget of NT$4 million to install permanent guardrails. The overall refurbishment was completed, and it is now open for transportation.