Nostalgic Must-Visit: Taiwan’s Version of “The Miracles of the Namiya General Store” — A One-Day Tour of Yunlin’s Top Five Attractions

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

Although Yunlin’s Huwei Town now has a high-speed rail station, it still retains its simple charm and traditional vibe. Travelers looking to embark on a journey that reconnects them with heartfelt memories and the flavors of tradition might want to plan a one-day trip to Huwei. The area’s attractions include the iconic century-old Huwei Sugar Refinery, the Huwei Railway Station—Taiwan’s version of “The Miracles of the Namiya General Store”—and historic iron bridges, allowing visitors to explore Huwei’s rich history and stories.

1. Huwei Railway Station – Taiwan’s Version of “The Miracles of the Namiya General Store”
Huwei Railway Station is a wooden train station from the Japanese colonial period, originally serving as the passenger and small train station for the Huwei Sugar Refinery. During that era, the area around Huwei Railway Station was the most bustling downtown hub. It is now designated as a historical building in Yunlin County. The station features architectural elements such as an open pavilion and a hip-and-gable roof, exuding a strong vintage atmosphere and literary charm—truly reminiscent of Taiwan’s version of “The Miracles of the Namiya General Store.”

2. Huwei Iron Bridge
The Huwei Sugar Refinery Iron Bridge is a designated historical monument in Yunlin County. Originally built to support the sugar refinery's development, it evolved from a bamboo structure to a wooden bridge, and eventually to the current steel structure. Designed with three sections of steel trusses at varying heights and ten large hollow arch bridge piers, the bridge offers a strikingly airy and impressive look in photos.

3. Huwei Sugar Refinery
Huwei was once a remote and sparsely populated rural area until the establishment of the sugar refinery in 1906, which spurred development and attracted a large influx of residents. At its peak, the refinery’s sugar production ranked first in the nation, earning the area the nickname “Sugar Capital.” The refinery still preserves Japanese-style century-old dormitories, a guesthouse, and Steam Locomotive No. 11 in Tongxin Park.