Glutinous Rice Bridge, Stone arch bridge in Guoxing Township, Taiwan
The Glutinous Rice Bridge is a stone arch structure that crosses the Beigang River in Guoxing using traditional construction methods. The structure binds stones together with a special mortar made from glutinous rice, lime, and brown sugar.
The bridge was built in 1941 and was later recognized as a monument of Nantou County. It survived multiple natural disasters including floods and earthquakes, demonstrating the durability of its innovative design.
The bridge shows how local builders applied traditional knowledge by using everyday ingredients as construction materials. Visitors can still see the visible joints between stones and observe how this inventive approach shaped the structure.
The site is accessible year-round, but the best time to visit is after dry periods when water levels are low. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes as the bridge surface is rough and the area can be hilly.
While most mortar uses sand as a binder, this structure used glutinous rice flour, which was unique in the region. The addition of locally available brown sugar created a binding agent that proved surprisingly durable over decades.
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