Travel Date: 2025/04/05

This time, we revisited a place we first saw about four or five years ago - the Suantou Sugar Factory in Chiayi. And wow, let me tell you… it has changed a lot! Before we dive into the new, I’ve included a few old photos from our first visit - see if you can spot the differences as we go.

Established in 1906, Suantou Sugar Factory was once a powerhouse - literally the third-largest sugar factory in Taiwan during the Japanese occupation era. But like many things in life, it didn’t stay sweet forever. In 2001, Typhoon Nari hit hard. Severe flooding damaged the equipment beyond repair, and that was the end of sugar production here. Sugar crash, literally.

But fast forward to today, and the whole site has transformed into a cultural park! The old factory buildings now house museum-style exhibits - while the machines no longer run, the explanations are thorough and engaging. They even have slabs of molasses on display to show how sugarcane turns into the sweet stuff we love.

Outside, you can ride a charming mini sugar train, admire Baroque-style architecture, and stroll past Japanese-style dormitories still standing from decades ago.

One of the highlights? The renovated train station - now a cheerful sky-blue, with an outdoor sugarcane patch beside it. Info boards show how sugarcane grows across Taiwan, like a living science fair.

While wandering the park, we stumbled upon the Japanese-style dorms. Some are clearly aging, but their nostalgic charm is still very much alive. And then... enter the orange cat! He meowed at us, stared like he had a secret, then trotted down a path... only to summon another cat and vanish. No petting, no farewell. Honestly, I felt played. 😂

Some dorms were marked “available for adoption” (yes, really—for buildings!). We were too late, though. The signs were still up, but it’s not a small commitment - there are rules, high renovation costs, and short usage periods. But hey, maybe someone out there with a love for history (and deep pockets) will give them a second life.

We wrapped up our visit at Jieshou Hall, once used for cadre training and even served briefly as a presidential office. It’s tucked into the far end of the park - a nice historical surprise to end the visit.

But the day wasn’t over yet…

👉 Next stop? A hidden gem not far away - one of Taiwan’s rarest Japanese buildings still standing tall. Stay tuned for part two! (LINK)

The Suanto Sugar Factory (蒜頭糖廠蔗埕文化園區)

The Suanto Sugar Factory, also known as the Suantou Sugar Factory Cogeneration Cultural Park, was established in 1906 and was once the third-largest sugar factory in Taiwan during the Japanese Occupation era. However, in 2001, Typhoon Nari caused severe flooding in the factory area, leading to significant damage to the sugar-making equipment and ultimately the cessation of sugar production.

Today, the Suanto Sugar Factory offers a unique experience for visitors. You can take a ride on a special sugar factory train and admire the Japanese-style dormitories and Baroque-style buildings within the factory compound. Additionally, you can explore the Suanto Sugar Factory itself, which has been transformed into a cultural park. Although the machinery is no longer operational, the factory has curated a carefully planned tour route and displays quality objects such as sugarcane slabs and molasses. With the help of informative explanations, visitors can gain a clear understanding of the cane sugar manufacturing process. The park also features a small train that provides transportation for visitors.

Within the Suanto Sugar Cane Cultural Park, there is a railway cultural relics museum showcasing various related items. As you explore the park, you will come across a network of intersecting railways, where you can see different types of train heads and bodies, including a steam locomotive that was used in Japan for 30 years. This adds to the historical and nostalgic atmosphere of the park.

A visit to the Suanto Sugar Factory and its cultural park offers a glimpse into the rich history of the sugar industry in Taiwan and provides an opportunity to appreciate the preserved heritage and architectural beauty of the factory buildings.