Taiwan Food Atlas

Xinying Sugar Factory

Century-old sugar-making heritage site, narrow-gauge railway transformed into a creative park with ice treats
📍 Tainan · Xinying District · Sugar Factory Road⛩️ Historic Sites & Temples🔖 Sugar industry heritage · five-minute train · creative park · ice bars

Xinying Sugar Factory is a century-old sugar-making heritage site in Xinying District, Tainan, tracing back to the Yanshuigang Sugar Company's Xinying plant, which broke ground in 1907 and was completed in December 1908. The grounds preserve sugar-processing equipment and a 762-millimeter narrow-gauge ("five-minute train") railway. It has since been transformed into the Xinying Railway Culture Park, with a Taiwan Sugar shop selling well-known ice treats — a representative destination in northern Tainan combining industrial heritage with leisure tourism.

The Yanshuigang Sugar Company's Xinying plant broke ground in 1907 and was completed in December 1908; the sugar railway preserved on-site uses the 762-millimeter gauge standard for Taiwan's sugar railways (the so-called "five-minute trains"); a Taiwan Sugar shop on the grounds still sells traditional-flavor ice bars.

What to see at Xinying Sugar Factory

Xinying Sugar Factory has stood for over a century and is one of the important witnesses to the history of Taiwan's sugar industry. The grounds retain sugar-processing machinery, factory buildings, and narrow-gauge railway infrastructure, with some structures preserving their Japanese colonial-era appearance and holding historical value as industrial heritage. Taiwan Sugar Corporation (Taisugar) later opened part of the site to the public, bringing in creative studios and exhibition spaces, making the overall environment more accessible while retaining its industrial atmosphere.

One of the most widely recognized experiences at a sugar factory is buying a Taiwan Sugar ice bar, and Xinying Sugar Factory has an ice counter where visitors can enjoy one on the spot, offering classic flavors such as red bean and peanut. Some sections of the grounds still have narrow-gauge railway tracks that can be observed up close. The creative park occasionally holds weekend markets or exhibitions — checking the latest event information on the Taisugar or park websites before visiting is advisable.

Tips for getting the most out of your visit

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Don't miss the Taiwan Sugar ice barsTaiwan Sugar ice cream is part of everyday Taiwanese memory. The Xinying Sugar Factory ice counter offers traditional flavors at affordable prices, and enjoying one on-site adds to the atmosphere.
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Take a look at the narrow-gauge railwayThe narrow-gauge railway tracks preserved on the grounds are a tangible remnant of Taiwan's sugar railway network, with a gauge of 762 mm — worth examining and photographing up close.
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Stroll among the factory buildingsThe Japanese-era factory buildings retain their red-brick and ironwork construction, creating an interesting contrast between old and new amid the creative park's modifications — a good setting for a leisurely walk and architectural photography.
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Check for weekend eventsThe creative park holds occasional markets and local cultural events. Check the Xinying Sugar Factory's official website or social media for the latest activity listings before you go.

Practical information

Getting there and time needed

  • Located on Sugar Factory Road in Xinying District, Tainan. Driving yourself allows you to park on-site. Xinying Train Station is about 1.5 km from the factory, reachable on foot or by YouBike.
  • Opening hours vary by zone. Confirm the creative park and ice counter hours with Taisugar or on-site — do not assume the entire grounds are open all day.

Nearby connections

  • Xinying's town center has traditional markets and an old street that can be explored on foot after visiting the factory to get a feel for local life.
  • Yanshui District is about a 15-minute drive from Xinying. The Yanshui Beehive Fireworks festival (around Lantern Festival) is a well-known Tainan folk tradition.

Source: Wikipedia entry on Xinying Sugar Factory and Taiwan Sugar Corporation official data. Photos pending replacement with Dio's own shots.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Xinying Sugar Factory built?

Its predecessor, the Yanshuigang Sugar Company's Xinying plant, broke ground in 1907 and was completed in December 1908.

What is the gauge of the narrow-gauge railway on the grounds?

The gauge is 762 millimeters, the standard for Taiwan's sugar railways, also known as "five-minute trains."

Can visitors still buy Taiwan Sugar ice bars at Xinying Sugar Factory today?

Yes, a Taiwan Sugar shop on the grounds sells traditional flavors like red bean and peanut for on-the-spot tasting.

Sources

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