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

By MOOK Travel Lifestyle Network Editorial Team
 
Established in the 10th year of the Republic of China (1921), the Guangfu Hualien Sugar Factory—commonly visited as a leisure spot during eastern Taiwan trips—has a history of over 90 years. Originally focused on sugar production, the early Hualien Sugar Factory later ceased operations in 2002 when its furnaces were shut down and sugar production came to an end. As the sugar industry faded into history, in response to changing times and to preserve heritage assets, Hualien Visiting Sugar Factory retained its complete sugar production equipment and precious collection of Japanese-style wooden architectural complexes, transforming into a leisure and tourism-oriented business.

When the factory was built, the local area was called “Mat’an,” which in the Amis language means “tree bean.” In the past, this area was a river alluvial plain covered with tree beans, which the indigenous people gathered for food, hence the name “Mat’an,” still used today. Hualien Sugar Factory has preserved many historical artifacts, such as the diesel locomotives—once the main transport vehicles for hauling sugarcane and other sugar-related materials—as well as railway switches and related transport equipment.

All existing steam locomotives owned by Taiwan Sugar have now been retired and are displayed statically across various locations in Taiwan. It's now rare to see them running with billowing white smoke and full vigor. These locomotives are quite numerous and varied, and can be categorized by their country of origin—Belgium, Germany, Japan—as well as locally made ones in Taiwan. The earliest dates back to 1907, while the latest is from 1958.

The former sugar factory dormitories were Japanese-style wooden corridor structures. To accommodate the establishment of a Japanese-style inn, they were restored and then leased out, now serving as the “Creative Workshop.” This workshop hosts artisans from Guangfu Township and nearby areas, including a “Lacquer Art Workshop” for lacquerware, a “Zhuyou Workshop” for beading, and other artistic studios. There is also a space filled with Japanese ambiance that showcases handmade art creations by rehabilitated individuals, finely carved leather works by employees’ families, and cedarwood products from “Cypress Paradise.”