Glutinous Rice Bridge, Chiayi City, Stone arch bridge in East District, Chiayi City, Taiwan.
Glutinous Rice Bridge is a stone arch bridge spanning the Beigang River in Chiayi with architectural features from the 19th century. The structure features multiple arches built with local materials that have maintained their form across generations.
The bridge was built in 1864 using an innovative construction method that replaced metal components with glutinous rice, lime, and brown sugar. This approach emerged from the local availability of materials and the craftsmanship knowledge of that era.
The bridge takes its name from the unusual mortar made with glutinous rice, lime, and brown sugar that local builders used in construction. Visitors can see the stone arches and understand how local craftsmanship shaped this structure.
The bridge is best accessed from the surrounding riverside paths that allow for walks and offer good viewing points. The structure is weather-resistant, but visitors should watch for slippery stones after rainfall.
The building mixture of glutinous rice, lime, and brown sugar has proven extraordinarily durable over 150 years. This unconventional composition created a natural bond that gave the stone flexibility and prevented cracking.
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