Spend a Night in a Japanese-Style Old House & Enjoy Ice Cream at Hualien Guangfu Sugar Factory

By MOOK Travel Life Network Editorial Team
 
Established in the 10th year of the Republic of China (1921), Hualien Sugar Factory in Guangfu Township is a popular rest stop for travelers visiting eastern Taiwan and boasts a history of over 90 years. Originally focused on sugar production, the factory ceased operations in 1992, bringing an end to the sugar industry, which has since quietly faded into history. To adapt to the changing times and preserve its heritage, Hualien Sightseeing Sugar Factory has retained its complete sugar production equipment and a precious collection of Japanese-style wooden buildings, transforming into a leisure and tourism destination.

When the factory was built, the area was called “Matang,” which means “tree bean” in the Amis language. In the past, this was a river alluvial plain covered with tree beans, which were a food source for the indigenous people—hence the name “Matang,” still used today. The Hualien Sugar Factory has preserved many historical artifacts, such as the internal combustion locomotive used to transport sugarcane and other materials, along with related transportation equipment like railway switches.

All the remaining steam locomotives owned by Taiwan Sugar have been retired and are now on static display across Taiwan. It’s rare to see them running with billowing white smoke and full force. These locomotives come in a wide variety, classified by their place of manufacture—Belgium, Germany, Japan—as well as those made in Taiwan. The earliest dates back to 1907, and the latest to 1958.

The former sugar factory dormitories were Japanese-style wooden corridor buildings. To accommodate the establishment of a Japanese-style inn, they were restored and leased out, now operating as the “Creative Workshop.” The workshop brings together local artisans from Guangfu Township and nearby villages, including the “Lacquer Art Workshop” for lacquerware and the “Zhuyou Workshop” for beading and other art studios. There’s also a space filled with traditional Japanese ambiance, showcasing handmade creative artworks by rehabilitated individuals, intricately carved leather crafts by employees’ families, and hinoki wood products from the “Cypress Paradise.”