Soulangh Cultural Park (蕭壠文化園區)
The Soulangh Cultural Park, also known as Xiaoyu International Art Village, is a notable destination in Jiali District, Tainan City, particularly suitable for families with children. During our visit, the park was not crowded, and its expansive grassland offered ample space for kids to run and play. The park features a tourist service center, a restaurant, an exhibition and sales hall, as well as a camping and barbecue area. These amenities, along with water, electricity, and toilet facilities, create a comfortable and convenient environment. It has become a favorite spot for both campers and general visitors.
Originally, the park was the warehouse complex of the Jiali Sugar Factory, spanning a total area of 13.8 hectares. During the Japanese occupation, a series of 14 warehouses were interconnected by a train railway used to transport sugar. This unique historical feature, combined with the natural greenery surrounding the Jiali Sugar Factory, contributes to the park's charming rural atmosphere. After the warehouses fell into disuse, the park was established by the Tainan County Government as an ecological leisure park, offering a serene escape from urban life.
In 2003, the preparatory office of the Xiaoyu Cultural Park was established to renovate and repurpose the abandoned warehouse complex. The original appearance of the buildings was preserved, while efforts were made to enhance the natural environment through tree planting and landscaping. Various warehouse renovations and space transformations were carried out, resulting in each warehouse showcasing its own unique character. The park officially opened to the public in January 2005, breathing new life into the former sugar factory and transforming it into an art-centric hub.
Jiali Sugar Factory, once a thriving sugar production facility, ended its operations in 1998. Recognizing the potential of repurposing the idle space, the Cultural Construction Committee of the Executive Yuan listed it as a key governance project, promoting the concept of "Local Cultural Centers." The Tainan County Government designated the Jiali Sugar Factory as a premier site for transformation.
To support the development of the Xiaoyu Cultural Park, the then-county magistrate, Su Huanzhi, established the "Xiaoyu Cultural Park Project Consultant Team" comprising scholars and experts. In 2003, the Tainan County Government signed a land lease contract with Taiwan Sugar Company, initiating the park's construction. The 14 warehouses were transformed into ten exhibition halls and four public facilities, operating as spaces for public use.
Since its opening in 2005, the park gained recognition through the hosting of two consecutive World Candy Culture Festivals, showcasing the sugar industry as its backdrop. Subsequently, it co-organized major events like the Taiwan Design Expo in 2006. The park has also hosted various thematic exhibitions and provided display spaces for individual artists and students, contributing to its vibrant atmosphere.
In 2013, the Tainan Municipal Government Cultural Bureau launched the Xiaoyu International Art Village Project, inviting artists from Taiwan and other countries to engage in creative activities within the park.
Within the Soulangh Cultural Park, visitors can also explore the Silaya Pingpu Culture Museum, which highlights the life and history of the Silaya people, the most populous group of the native Pingpu population. The Tainan Art Gallery, designed in the theme of temple festivals, offers a reproduction of unique temples in the Tainan area. It also houses the Jialixing Zhenxing Palace clay sculpture group, which boasts a history of over 300 years. Additionally, the park features the Xiaoyu Children's Library, which was established through public participation and officially opened in October 2009, offering a wide range of books and fostering a love for reading among children.
Aligned with the Ministry of Culture's subsidy program for operating art villages, the Tainan Municipal Government Cultural Bureau engages with residents through art workshops and various exhibitions, nurturing a population interested in arts and culture in Tainan. Since 2013, artists have been applying to the village, and international art exchanges are facilitated, providing professional artists with a dedicated space within the Xiaoyu International Art Village.
