Suantou Sugar Factory is a Japanese-era sugar industry heritage site in Liujiao Township, Chiayi County, built by the Meiji Sugar Manufacturing Company starting in 1906 and beginning sugar production in November 1910; it once ranked as Taiwan's third-largest sugar mill. Converted into the Suantou Sugar Factory Cultural Park in 2002, it preserves its original factory buildings and narrow-gauge 'five-fen' railway, making it one of the best-preserved sugar industry heritage sites in the Chiayi area.
Suantou Sugar Factory was established by the Meiji Sugar Manufacturing Company in 1906 (Meiji 39) in what was then Suantou Village, Jiayi District; construction began in 1908, and sugar production formally started in November 1910. Known in its heyday as a 'Taisugar treasury' for its output and quality, it was Taiwan's third-largest sugar mill under Japanese rule. Severely damaged by Typhoon Nari in 2001, the factory ceased production on July 1, 2002, and reopened as the Suantou Sugar Factory Cultural Park on August 3, 2002. The narrow-gauge 'five-fen' sugarcane railway resumed service in 2003 and has since been extended to the National Palace Museum Southern Branch.
Highlights of Suantou Sugar Factory
The name Suantou Sugar Factory derives from the old place name "Suantou Zhuang." During the Japanese colonial period, the Taiwan Sugar Corporation established a mill here, and the abundant sugarcane resources of the Chianan Plain sustained operations for decades. Several Japanese-era brick factory buildings remain on the grounds; some sugar processing machinery is displayed in situ, including crushers and evaporators, giving visitors a direct look at the sugar production process. The spacious factory grounds are well suited for leisurely exploration of each building.
The five-fen car (762 mm narrow-gauge mini train) is the factory's most popular attraction. The route passes through the factory grounds and surrounding farmland, with a round trip of approximately 20 to 30 minutes. The open-air carriages allow close-up views of the flat-plain scenery. Confirm operating hours and fares through Suantou Sugar Factory's official channels before your visit; more rides are available on weekends and peak seasons. Ice cream is also sold on the grounds — popsicles and traditional sugarcane ice bars are popular souvenir choices.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Timing
- By car: head north from Chiayi City along Highway 1 to Liujiao Township, then follow signs and turn onto a county road to reach the factory. Parking is available on site.
- The five-fen train's schedule and run times are adjusted seasonally; check the factory's current announcements before departure to avoid disappointment.
- The grounds are open year-round; the five-fen train is ticketed separately. Weekends are busier; weekday visits are more relaxed.
Nearby Connections
- Liujiao Township is close to Puzi City — you can stop by Puzi Peitian Temple or the Puzi River mouth coast for a western Chiayi coastal route.
- Heading north extends to Budai Township fishing harbor, offering a geographic contrast between the coastal fishing village and sugar factory culture.
Source: Official information from Taiwan Sugar Corporation and Wikipedia entry on "Suantou Sugar Factory." Photos pending replacement with Dio's own shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which company built Suantou Sugar Factory?
It was built by the Meiji Sugar Manufacturing Company in 1906, not the Taiwan Sugar Manufacturing Company.
When did the factory start producing sugar?
Construction began in 1908, with sugar production formally starting in November 1910.
When did it become a tourist park?
Production stopped on July 1, 2002, and it reopened as the Sugarcane Cultural Park on August 3, 2002.
When did the narrow-gauge train resume operation?
The five-fen sugarcane railway resumed service in 2003 and has since been extended to the National Palace Museum Southern Branch.
Sources
- 蒜頭糖廠 - 維基百科 — 確認興建、製糖開始、停產轉型年份與經營公司