Hualien Sugar Factory Introduction
In the year 1913, the "Dongtai Sugar Manufacturing Company" established the "Hualien Port Sugar Factory" in Shoufeng Township, Hualien County, also known as the "Liuyuitou Sugar Factory." In 1921, another factory named "Dahwa Factory" was established in Guangfu Township to increase sugar production. Towards the end of World War II, both sugar factories were damaged by Allied forces. After the war, Taiwan Sugar Corporation took over and decided to demolish the severely damaged Shoufeng Factory, while restoring the Dahwa Factory and renaming it the Hualien Sugar Factory, making it the center of sugar manufacturing in Eastern Taiwan. Because it is located in Guangfu Township, it is often referred to as the "Guangfu Sugar Factory," but its official name is "Hualien Sugar Factory." Over the decades, Hualien Sugar Factory underwent significant expansions and renovations, greatly enhancing sugar production and quality. To supply raw materials for the factory, vast fields of sugarcane could be seen stretching from Xincheng Township in the north to Fuli Township in the south, creating a unique landscape in the Hualien-Taitung Valley. In addition to producing granulated sugar, the ice cream department of Hualien Sugar Factory became very popular for its variety of flavored popsicles and ice cream. For both visiting tourists and locals, "getting ice at the sugar factory" has become a joyful shared memory. In 2002, due to the prolonged downturn in international sugar prices and the impact of joining the WTO, Taiwan Sugar Corporation decided to cease its sugar business at Hualien Sugar Factory, which had a history of over 80 years, and shift its focus to tourism and recreational development. Building on the existing ice products, the plan was to create a sugar culture park as the core, offering guided tours for visitors, complemented by a Japanese-style dormitory community, creative workshops, and organic rice and leisure industry development. This was combined with bicycle routes, surrounding attractions, and the Danao-Dafu Flatland Forest Park to establish a linear tourist route and attractions, attracting visitors to the park. The original corridor-style single dormitory within the sugar factory was transformed into a creative workshop, becoming a platform for community art exchange and instructional courses, offering DIY classes and art exhibitions for tourists. Additionally, the factory now sells handmade lemongrass essential oil and lemongrass soap gift boxes, produced using organic farming methods without any artificial fragrances, making them the best souvenirs for visitors, available for purchase in the creative workshop. Adjacent to Hualien Sugar Factory, there are rows of well-preserved Japanese buildings, which are among the few remaining wooden structures from the Japanese colonial period in Taiwan. These cypress wood houses were built as employee dormitories during the Japanese occupation and remain in good condition, exuding a nostalgic charm after decades. In line with Hualien County's smoke-free tourism development policy, the Japanese-style inn at Hualien Tourism Sugar Factory was renovated and officially licensed as a general hotel on January 24, 2011, providing diverse accommodation options for visitors to Hualien. The Hualien Sugar Hotel offers two types of accommodation: Japanese-style wooden houses (double rooms) and family wooden houses (triple rooms). Each room has an independent parking space and courtyard, featuring wooden floors, tatami mats, sliding paper doors, and a cotton drawer, presenting an authentic Japanese style. The family room includes a handmade cypress bath barrel and water ladle, allowing guests to easily enjoy the pleasure of a cypress barrel bath. Experience the serene beauty of Japanese culture and find relaxation away from the stress of urban life. Hualien Tourism Sugar Factory Hotel warmly welcomes you to stay and experience the elegance and charm of a Japanese wooden house!
