Take a “Houyi Bicycle Mini-Tour” – Ride a bike through the alleys of a century-old sugar town

▲The Houyi Railway Station, which serves as both a historic exhibition space and a visitor center. (Photo / From Wikimedia Commons)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

The Houyi Visitor Center, filled with Japanese-style charm, is the only visitor center in Taiwan that combines sugar railway culture. It is also an important site for preserving local history and cultural heritage. To introduce the unique features and historical culture of Houyi to the public, Yunlin County Government is holding the “One-Day Houyi Walk” bicycle mini-tour from now until December. Each month features a different themed itinerary, using cycling as a way to lead more visitors in gaining a deeper understanding of Houyi.

The Japanese-style wooden structure of the Houyi Visitor Center, also known as “Houyi Railway Station,” was once a passenger and small train station for the Houyi Sugar Factory. It was also the most important transportation hub in the area. During the Japanese colonial period, the area around Houyi Railway Station was the most bustling and vibrant downtown district of Houyi. It has now been designated as a Yunlin County Historic Site and is preserved accordingly.

Since its transformation into a visitor center, it has become a key destination for tourists seeking an in-depth experience of Houyi. The mini-tours initially launched in September under the planning of the county government have been well received by visitors. Currently, there are still available spots for the November 1st “Highlight Communities – Super Cool Encounters” and the December 20th “Century-Old Sugar Town Century Journey” themed tours.

Liu Chuan-zhi, Director of the Cultural Affairs Department of Yunlin County Government, stated that the currently planned themes include cultural history, towel industry, community revitalization highlights, and sugar industry culture—each representing important aspects of Houyi’s cultural industries. The public can choose itineraries based on different themes and, with guided tours, cycle through Houyi Township instead of just taking a cursory glance. Visitors are welcome to come and experience it. For event details, please visit the Yunlin County Cultural Tourism website.