Sun Moon Lake Old Tea Factory Introduction
Sun Moon Old Tea Factory was established in 1956, and its tea processing plant was built in 1959. During the Japanese colonial period, the Taiwan Governor-General's Office specifically chose Yuchi Township around Sun Moon Lake as the production area for black tea, recognizing its favorable climate and fertile soil. From the beginning, the tea factory adopted the most advanced mechanical equipment and introduced British black tea processing methods, laying an important foundation for the export of Taiwanese black tea. In the post-war period, the factory continued to play a significant role as an export base for Taiwanese black tea, once achieving record high export value, showcasing the prosperity of the industry. After the devastating 921 earthquake in 1999, the Sun Moon Old Tea Factory actively responded to the "One Township, One Characteristic" revitalization policy and embarked on a path of transformation. In 2003, it began to stop using pesticides, and by 2008, it further transformed into a tourist factory. Today, the tea factory manages its tea plantations using friendly farming methods and organic cultivation, mainly producing Taiwanese tea varieties such as Taiwan Tea No. 8 (Assam black tea), No. 18 (Red Jade), and No. 21 (Ruby Red). In the ten years following the earthquake, the factory has worked to promote the Yuchi black tea industry, not only guiding local small farmers and entrepreneurs in the passing down of tea-making techniques but also assisting with contract manufacturing, fostering diverse development in Nantou's tea production, thus injecting new vitality into the black tea industry. Architecturally, the factory cleverly combines Japanese industrial architectural style with local Taiwanese building materials. The design of the wooden frame and red-brick walls considers practical needs for ventilation and cooling while showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. The high tea processing space and unique ventilation design preserve the architectural features of early tea production. Many valuable tea processing equipment, such as withering machines and fermentation beds, still exist within the factory; these devices are not only important industrial heritage but also significant artifacts witnessing the development of Taiwan's tea industry. Through these tools, we can glimpse the early tea-making processes and the lives of workers. The factory has always maintained a close relationship with local tea farmers, forming a shared precious memory for the residents. Many old tea farmers can still vividly recount their experiences in tea picking and processing, and these valuable oral histories enrich the cultural connotations of the factory. With the passage of time, the Old Tea Factory has successfully transformed into a cultural park, preserving traditional tea-making culture while actively incorporating modern creative elements to showcase the new value of industrial cultural heritage. Through diverse exhibitions and experiential activities, the factory continues to convey the unique charm of Taiwanese tea culture to the public. The surrounding area still holds vast green tea gardens that reflect the beautiful scenery of Sun Moon Lake, creating a unique cultural landscape that not only witnesses the development of Taiwan's tea industry but also constitutes a precious cultural landscape asset.
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