An old paper mill transformed into a hipster hotspot—the Zhongxing Cultural and Creative Park in Yilan is now open for trial operations!

▲ The “Zhongxing Cultural and Creative Park” in Wujie Township, Yilan officially launched trial operations on July 22. (Photo courtesy of the Yilan County Government Cultural Affairs Bureau)

▲ The “Zhongxing Cultural and Creative Park” in Wujie Township, Yilan boasts a distinctive international aesthetic. (Image provided by a netizen)backgood__hans(Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement)

Reported by Peng Huaiyu / Compiled from multiple sources

Yilan now has a large-scale cultural and creative park too. The “Zhongxing Cultural and Creative Park,” located in Wujie Township, underwent years of planning and renovation by the Yilan County Government Cultural Affairs Bureau before opening for trial operations on July 22. Covering a vast area, the park features several concrete buildings and massive chimneys standing on expansive lawns. These structures are remnants of a paper mill from the Japanese colonial period, with an exterior that exudes a foreign charm, quickly becoming a popular spot for Instagram photoshoots.

▲ The most eye-catching feature is undoubtedly the towering concrete building, whose windows and doors lack glass—plants growing out from them lend it a mysterious beauty. (Image provided by a netizen)cju.1122.tw(Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement)

Looking back at the history of the “Zhongxing Cultural and Creative Park,” its origins trace back to the “Taiwan Industrial Co., Ltd.” established in 1935 during the Japanese colonial period. Later, due to increasing demand for paper, local sugarcane bagasse from sugar production in Yilan was repurposed into paper, giving rise to what was then the largest paper mill in the country—the “Zhongxing Paper Mill.” The spatial layout still reflects the heyday of paper production back then.

▲ A corner of the Zhongxing Cultural and Creative Park. (Image provided by a netizen)kaomommy(Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement)

The most striking structure is the tall concrete building, which was once the mill’s cooking room. Since being abandoned in 2001, it has stood vacant. With no glass in the windows and only hollow frames, plants sprouting from the openings create a mysterious and melancholic beauty.

▲ A small park within the site displays bold, avant-garde graffiti art. (Image provided by a netizen)duo226(The following image is also provided by the same netizen; please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement)

Stepping into the park, you might think you’re in Huashan 1914, Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, or Pier-2 Art Center. The weathered walls show the passage of time, while the small park features avant-garde graffiti created by local artists. The vibrant and daring colors contrast interestingly with the aged architecture, and the ruins have unexpectedly become a favorite photo spot for hipsters and social media influencers.

▲ The small park features avant-garde graffiti walls created by local artists, with bold and vivid colors that playfully contrast with the old buildings.

Additionally, many parts of the park retain their original character. Currently, only the Cultural and Creative Zone 1 is open, hosting 15 micro cultural and creative businesses, along with various DIY workshops available for registration. Other sections are currently enclosed by fences and inaccessible, but future plans include transforming the vacant factories and warehouses into different exhibition areas and performance spaces. It’s believed that this stunning transformation will breathe new life into the old paper mill.

▲ The Zhongxing Cultural and Creative Park has also unexpectedly become a popular destination for hipsters and social media influencers. (Image provided by a netizen)_pei._.yi(Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

Zhongxing Cultural and Creative Park
Address: No. 6-8, Section 2, Zhongzheng Road, Wujie Township, Yilan County
Opening Hours: Weekdays 10:00–18:00 / Weekends 10:00–20:00 (Closed on Wednesdays)
Admission: Free
Official Facebook Page