Ciaotou Sugar Refinery
Address: No. 24, Tangchang Road, Qiaotou District, Kaohsiung CityΒ
Phone: +886-7-6119299
π Β The Ciaotou Sugar Refinery (formerly known as "Ciaotou Sugar Factory") is Taiwan's first modern sugar factory, with a history of over a century. It is designated as a city-level cultural landscape. The factory grounds preserve architectural structures such as Japanese-style wooden houses and air-raid shelters, blending Dutch and European design elements. The factory places great emphasis on cultural and historical preservation and regularly hosts cultural and artistic events, with artistic creations harmoniously integrated into the surroundings, creating a unique space for installation art.Β
The History and Origins of Taiwan Sugar Corporation
π In 1895, after the First Sino-Japanese War, Taiwan was ceded to Japan. In 1901, Taiwan Sugar Corporation established Taiwan's first modern sugar refinery in Ciaotou, and began producing granulated sugar in 1902, marking the mechanization of Taiwan's sugar industry.
π Ciaotou Sugar Refinery, the starting point of Taiwan's sugar industry mechanization and a symbol of industrialization, ceased sugar production in 1998. It was designated a city heritage site in 2000 and transformed into a sugar industry cultural park, with the Sugar Museum opening in 2006.
Artistic and Cultural Features of the Ciaotou Sugar FactoryΒ
π The park combines history, art, and leisure, preserving the sugar industry heritage while showcasing large-scale artworks, offering a diverse cultural experience.
Museum Exhibits at the Ciaotou Sugar FactoryΒ
π The museum showcases the development of Taiwan's sugar industry and related artifacts, including sugar production films, multimedia interactions, and physical exhibits. Outdoor displays feature sugar factory machinery such as sugarcane harvesters and patrol cars.
Development and Future of the Ciaotou Sugar Factory SiteΒ
π Since the opening of the Ciaotou Sugar Factory Station on the Kaohsiung MRT, it has attracted many visitors, offering services like art exhibitions and sales, bicycle rentals, and becoming a comprehensive cultural and leisure destination.
π The Taiwan Sugar Carbon Sink Education Center uses a storybook format to create several adorable anthropomorphized characters. Visitors can follow the "Carbon Absorption Beast" on a journey through the Forest Carbon Sink Exhibition Area, the Audio-Visual Area, the Immersive Forest Experience Area, and the Interactive Experience Area. Through multi-sensory experiences involving sight, smell, and touch, visitors embark on an adventure to learn about natural carbon sinks and understand the effectiveness of Taiwan Sugar's reforestation efforts.Β
π The Sugar Industry History Museum introduces the development history of Taiwan's sugar industry.
π The Factory Manager's Residence was built in 1940 by the factory manager, Kinmoku Sanzaemon, of the Taiwan Sugar Manufacturing Company. It is the most well-preserved Japanese-style wooden residence in the factory area. The architectural features include Taiwan cypress wood trusses, elevated flooring, a front and back yard, and a rare independent brick foundation. The Taiwan Sugar Corporation restored the building in 2011, and it was opened for external visits in 2015, with interior tours available by reservation. Its elegant appearance was used as a filming location for the movie The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful, and it has become a popular photo spot.
π The "White House" was originally designed as a residence for senior staff and features architectural styles from the Japanese colonial period, reflecting the economic and social status of the sugar factory. Initially the factory manager's residence, it has now become a historical building, witnessing the changes in Taiwan's sugar industry and the Japanese colonial era. Today, visitors can tour the White House and experience its historical and cultural significance.
π Rain Tree PlazaΒ
The Chaozhou Sugar Factory is surrounded by rain trees, creating a cool and shaded environment around the old factory. The combination of Japanese-style wooden houses and railway landscapes adds to the nostalgic atmosphere, while also attracting birds and insects to inhabit the area. In front of the single dormitory built in 1958, there is a tall rain tree in the plaza. The original site was a Japanese military shooting range, which was later converted into employee housing. The plaza itself resembles a natural performance venue, surrounded by spiral stone steps made of coral stone, with an air raid shelter hidden within the stone walls, giving it a distinct historical character.
π The "Half Standard Track Gauge Train" is a narrow-gauge train from the Taiwan Sugar Railway, now primarily used for tourism. The Chaozhou Sugar Factory has preserved this railway line, allowing visitors to experience the vintage charm while enjoying the historical buildings and beautiful scenery along the route. The old-style stations, warehouses, and other retro elements have become popular photo spots.
π The Chaozhou Sugar Factory combines barbecue and the traditional control soil kiln, offering visitors a chance to experience Taiwan's barbecue culture and ancient cooking techniques. The food cooked over charcoal retains its natural flavors and smoky aroma, while the control soil kiln ensures that ingredients are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Visitors can participate in the cooking process themselves, enjoying a unique dining experience set in a nostalgic atmosphere.
The Ice Cream Shop at Ciaotou Sugar FactoryΒ
The ice cream shop at Ciaotou Sugar Refinery offers popsicles, ice cream, cold drinks, and desserts made with local ingredients and their own sugar. Unique flavors include brown sugar ice cream and sugarcane slush. The industrial architecture and lush green surroundings within the park make it an ideal place to relax and enjoy delicious treats.
Ciaotou Sugar Refinery Station Food Recommendation : Jizhao Homeland Tea House
π Β Kichou Furusato Tea House offers Japanese-inspired "Golden Years" sets with tea and desserts like yokan, wagashi, and chilled jelly. They also serve tea rice and have gift boxes available for purchase, perfect for souvenirs.Β
Shop Information
Address: No. 2, Lane 1, Tangchang Rd., Ciaotou District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 0982-242545
Ciaotou Sugar Refinery MRT Station Food Recommendation : FUN SPACEΒ
π FUN SPACE is an art space near the Ciaotou Sugar Refinery MRT Station. Its brick exterior and green plants complement the industrial-style interior with unique, weathered walls. The menu features light meals like curry rice, risotto, salads, Spanish omelets, and seafood soup. Easily accessible by MRT, itβs a great spot to enjoy a meal and stroll around the park afterward.Β
Shop Information
Address: No. 1, Lane 3, Singtang Rd., Ciaotou District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 07-6117757
Ciaotou Sugar Refinery MRT Station Food Recommendation : Ciaotou Huangs' Braised Pork Rice
π Ciaotou Huang's Braised Pork Rice started as a small stall in a market and has now gained widespread fame, often attracting long lines during meal times. The menu is simple, offering braised pork rice, pork noodle soup, oyster soup, and boiled vegetables. It's a great place to enjoy delicious meals at affordable prices.
Shop Information
Address: No. 106, Ciaonan Rd., Ciaotou District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 07-6123253
Ciaotou Sugar Refinery MRT Station Food Recommendation : Auger Toast
π Auger Toast (Ciaotou Branch) is located on Chenggong South Road, featuring a comfortable atmosphere with green plant walls and white walls with wooden tables. They offer a variety of hot-pressed toasts in sweet, savory, and creative flavors (like mochi or bubble tea). There are also pasta, drinks like black tea, lattes, and coffee, making it a great place to enjoy a meal.Β
Shop Information
Address: No. 228, Chenggong South Rd., Ciaotou District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 07-6113195
Ciaotou Sugar Refinery MRT Station Food Recommendation : Ciaonan Soy Milk Tofu PuddingΒ
π Β Chia Nan Water-Milled Tofu is tucked away in a small alley in Kaohsiung's Chiatung District. Outside, there's a tofu dessert cart, and inside, the space is fresh and adorned with dried flowers, creating an inviting atmosphere perfect for gatherings. The shop offers creative tofu desserts, such as "Purple Crystal Tofu" and "Unrequited Love Tofu," as well as traditional water-milled tofu, like "Old Times Tofu" and "Longing Tofu." They also serve shaved ice, including caramelized taro milk ice and Japanese-style caramelized red bean milk ice, with optional toppings to customize your treat.
Shop Information
Address: No. 225, Ciaonan Rd., Ciaotou District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 07-6112278