A photonic waveguide structure for performing polarization rotation includes a first waveguide layer including input and output waveguides. The input and output waveguides are separate and discontinuous structures. The input and output waveguides are configured in the first waveguide layer to have a lateral offset therebetween. The photonic waveguide structure further includes a second waveguide layer including a waveguide structure disposed under or over the first waveguide layer. The waveguide structure includes a polarization conversion region configured within the second waveguide layer to overlap the input or output waveguides in the first waveguide layer.