Newly Opened Aesthetic Hotspot: Yilan Zhongxing Cultural and Creative Park Begins Trial Operations

By MOOK Scenic Spots Chen Wenlin | Compiled Report
 
Located in Wujie Township, Yilan, the "Zhongxing Cultural and Creative Park" has recently begun trial operations after several years of planning and renovation by the Yilan County Government’s Cultural Affairs Bureau. Spanning a large area, the site features numerous concrete structures and huge chimneys rising above vast lawns. Originally an old paper mill left from the Japanese colonial period, its exterior boasts a distinctly exotic flair and has quickly become a popular Instagram photo spot.

Looking back at the history of the "Zhongxing Cultural and Creative Park," its origins can be traced back to the "Taiwan Industrial Co., Ltd." established during the Japanese colonial era. Later, as demand for paper increased, leftover sugar cane pulp from local sugar production in Yilan was repurposed into sheets of paper, eventually turning the site into the country's largest "Zhongxing Paper Mill." Even today, the spatial layout still reflects the thriving paper manufacturing scene of that time.

Many parts of the park still retain their original character. Currently, only the Cultural & Creative Zone 1 is open, hosting 15 micro cultural and creative businesses, with a variety of DIY workshops available for sign-up. The rest of the area is currently sectioned off by fencing and not accessible. In the future, the vacant factory buildings and warehouses will be transformed into different exhibition areas and performance spaces. However, the aged, abandoned aesthetic and bold graffiti-covered walls have already made it a new hotspot for photo ops in Yilan, attracting many netizens eager to experience its unique architectural style.

Additionally, following the trial opening, the Zhongxing Cultural and Creative Park plans to introduce a family-friendly zone that combines parent-child co-creation, dining services, children’s play areas, and book spaces. There will also be various performing arts venues, along with a weekend market featuring Yilan specialties called the "Xing Market."