With the launching of Baling Bridge in 2005, Baling Old Bride and the two tunnels, Baling Tunnels No. 1 and No. 2, retired from its important duty on Provincial Highway 7.
The bright red suspension bridge is no longer busy with passing cars. Instead, it became a great spot for visitors to appreciate the architectural style under Japanese rule. The tunnels have turned into exhibition corridors of Atayal culture, showcasing tribal lifestyle.
Baling Tunnels No. 1 and No. 2 were dug manually in 1966 when building the Baling Old Bridge. Baling Tunnels No. 1 is 68m in length. You can see an Atayal traditional elevated barn house, red Atayal traditional clothes, hunting knives, a statue of Atayal woman using pestle and mortar, and figurines of wild boars, Reeves's muntjacs, and Formosan black bears. The mural close to the end of the tunnel is painted by Miru Hayung, an Atayal artist from the Yeheng Tribe. His works are often used to symbolize the gate of the tribe. The two pieces of art, “Guardian” and “Circle of Life,” tell the stories of Atayal people getting face tattoos to be able to cross the rainbow bridge after death, and the land and river that nurture generations of Atayal people. The 10m-tall concrete pillar is a monument for the completion of Balong Bridge in 1914. You can see the etching of “土木局” (Bureau of Civil Engineering) that was the responsible government agency at the time. After crossing Baling Old Bridge, you can head to Baling Tunnel No. 2. This tunnel is 79m in length, showcasing local produce such as peaches, persimmon, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and cabbage. There are also figurines of women weaving. On the wall, you will find more murals about Atayal life.
