Beigang Sugar Factory is a defunct sugar factory in Yunlin that is now being converted into an art and exhibition space. You can also find the Taisugar Ice Cream Shop here. It is a great place to enjoy the history and culture of the area.
Historical Background: Before Chinese settlers came to the area, Yunlin was inhabited by native peoples. During the Dutch era in Taiwan in the 1600s, Chinese farmers first began to move here. One notable Chinese pioneer was Yan Siqi (also known as Pedro Chino, or the Pioneer King of Taiwan). He created a settlement in Ponkan (笨港 Bengang, modern day Beigang) and recruited over 3000 farmers from Fujian and nearby regions in China to come farm in Taiwan. He also had 13 ships and a merchant trade and formed an alliance with the local indigenous population. Dutch and Chinese farmers introduced mango, sweet potato, pineapple, and many other crops to Taiwan at this time. When Koxinga invaded Taiwan, many local Chinese farmers such as Chen Lixun supported Koxinga and were rewarded with lands once the Dutch were conquered. During the Qing Dynasty, the waterways around the Beigang River were made deeper than other areas in central Taiwan, allowing for larger ships and more trade. Beigang soon became one of the most prosperous areas in central Taiwan. The Beigang Sugar Factory was established in 1910. Sugar was grown locally in nearby fields in Yunlin and Chiayi and shipped by rail to the factory for processing. At the most prosperous time of the sugar factory, there were over 1000 employees, which helped promote the development of the area. As time went on, Taiwan could no longer compete with global sugar prices. In addition, the factory was blamed for being a blocking point stopping development further west of Beigang. The Sugar factory ceased operations in 2005 despite being the number one sugar producing plant in Taiwan. After that, the factory was left abandoned and fell into disrepair. It was listed as a historical building in 2016. Despite talks to revitalize the area, concrete plans were not put in place for over 15 years. In 2021 it was proposed to turn the abandoned factory into a cultural park. The revitalization of the area, including 25 warehouses as exhibition spaces, is expected to be fully complete by 2025. For more information on the building's history, you can check out this short documentary made by Taiwan Plus. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Where to stay: We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here) Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Yunlin: Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By Scooter: From Chiayi, go east on Highway 164 until you reach Beigang. The Sugar Factory is on the southwest edge of town. There is free parking at the sugar factory. Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: From National Freeway 1, get off at the no. 257 Xingang / Minxiong Exit and keep going east on Highway 164 until you reach Beigang. The Sugar Factory is on the southwest edge of town. There is free parking at the sugar factory. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus/Train: From Chiayi HSR Station, you can take bus 7235 for about 40 minutes to Beigang Town. You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Yunlin via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below: Our Journey: I have been to Beigang Sugar Factory once. I didn't even know it existed until I visited the Beigang Iron Bridge. Even then, the Beigang Iron Bridge does not directly connect with the Sugar Factory, so I had to see it on a second trip to Beigang. The west part of the sugar factory is pretty run down and delipidated, and I don't know if it will ever be restored. However the east side is already partially restored and the warehouses there will all be restored soon. They are also expanding the park on the north side. Overall it is a great place to visit and enjoy the history of the area, and you can also enjoy art exhibitions here from time to time.
Check out our drone video of the area above.
You can also check out our 360 degree spherical panorama of the area above.
Beigang River Iron Bridge 北港溪鐵橋 
Beigang Iron Bridge is the longest bridge ever built by the Taiwan Sugar Company, that used to connect sugar fields in Chiayi to the Beigang Sugar Factory. Unfortunately, the bridge was washed away in floodwaters during Typhoon Sinlaku in 2008.
Currently a new "Daughter Bridge" has been completed to connect the two sides, and further construction is expected to connect the two sides of the river via pedestrian walkways by 2025. Check out our full blog on the Beigang Iron Bridge here. Sugar Factory Ice Cream Shop 糖廠冰品店 
When you visit the sugar factory, you should stop by the ice cream shop on the east end of the sugar factory.
There are lots of tables here that are covered from the sun and rain to enjoy your ice cream.
The shop is not very big, but it has all the TaiSugar favorites.
There is a giant photo of the old sugar factory when it was still in operation on the side of the building.
There is also an old sugar train on display near the ice cream shop behind the parking lot that you can take photos of.
View of the ruins and the smokestack.
Another view of the ruins.
Last view of the ruins from the east side.
View of the ruined factory from the air.
North side of the factory.
Another view over the ruined factory.
View of the parking lot on the east side. There is a lot of free parking here.
This is the part of the factory that has been recently renovated.
There is a large sidewalk and public square here.
View of the newly renovated area via drone.
All of these warehouses will be renovated and made usable again.
Another view from the east side.
The old sugar train railroad tracks are still here.
Old railroad car repair warehouse.
Another view of the old railway.
Old brick rail engine warehouse.
Another view of the overgrown warehouse.
View inside the old warehouse.
An old sugar train engine.
Another sugar train engine nearby.
At the new renovated park, there is a service area and a circular railway area. I could not find the circular railway area, maybe it was not open yet.
Old warehouse with another sugar train engine.
Another railway line.
View looking east.
View from the old sugar warehouses.
View looking east down the old warehouses.
Another view looking east at the weed-covered warehouses.
View west of more weeds.
Another alleyway looking east.
View inside the old railway corridor.
View looking westward the other way and a broken roof.
More railway tracks.
The service building which was not open when I visited.
I assume one day these fences will be taken down and we will be able to see the letters in the correct order. I think the land in the background will be developed into a larger park.
There is also a great historical timeline here in the middle of the park giving a great overview of the factory.
From here I think you can walk into the old factory, but this is as far as we went.
There is also an office building here which I think is still in use.
And there was this artsy table.
Coming back to the old sugar engine.
Were those boots left here 19 years ago?
An old railroad lever sticking out of a tree.
Back to the brick engine warehouse.
Another old warehouse now restored.
For this warehouse it seems they just decided to tear the roof off and make it into a big public outdoor space.
View of the area from the other side.
More of the outdoor warehouse area.
Another old storage area.
More old buildings in the distance.
If you are in the area you should also check out Beigang Old Street. Beigang was once the second largest city in Taiwan, second only to Tainan City, and was central Taiwan's most important maritime trading post. After the silting of the Beigang River, the town mostly relies on agriculture for its economy, but Beigang Old Street is also one of the most important religious sites in Taiwan due to the worship of Mazu in Beigang Chaotian Temple. Besides the temple, there are also many food and shopping options nearby. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to central Taiwan...(read more)
Don't forget there are many other activities and places to see in Yunlin such as Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing, Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. You can check out our full guide to Yunlin here. You can also see our full guide to Taiwan here.
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Author 作家I am an American expat who has extensive experience living, working, and traveling in Taiwan. In my day, I had to learn many things about Taiwan the hard way. But I have come to learn that Taiwan is one of the best places in the world for Foreigners to live. This blog does not represent the opinions of every foreigner in Taiwan. I am just trying to help others learn more about this beautiful country. Categories
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