Under debate today as are the colonial experiences of other world powers, the Japanese occupation of Taiwan had nevertheless set out to be a ‘model’ domain, and here lies the seed of its modernization. Though aimed at the greater glory of the metropole, the reforms introduced substantially improved life on the island, from education to communications or transport, as the extensive railway network built during the half century of Japanese control comes to show.

Two tunnels that were part of this ancient infrastructure, no longer in use, have been recovered to build a cycling path through the mountainous region and a footbridge anchored in the steep gorges of a river. To give the whole route continuity, corrugated steel bars are spread out as flooring and placed slightly apart to keep contact with the silt substrate, stretching and curving conveniently to form railings, benches, and bicycle racks.

Fotos: LU Yu-Jui + michele-miquel