Shuinan Cave Thirteen Levels Site Introduction
The old gold mine at Shui Nan Dong, near the Yin Yang Sea, is also known as the Thirteen Levels Ruins. Once the largest milling plant in the Shui Nan Dong, Jin Gua Shi, and Jiu Fen areas, this facility was used for refining gold, silver, and copper ores. From a distance, it resembles a beautiful abandoned palace, and the waste flue that clings to the mountainside stretches 2 kilometers, appearing and disappearing among the hills, adding a sense of mystery. To witness the unique desolate beauty of the Thirteen Levels Ruins, the best viewpoints are from the Shui Nan Dong parking lot and the observation deck at the Chang Ren Community. The story of the Thirteen Levels Ruins, also known as the Shui Nan Dong milling plant, was constructed in 1933 (Showa 8) and served as a crucial facility for mining and refining precious metals during the Japanese occupation. After Taiwan's restoration, it was handed over to the Taiwan Metal Mining Corporation, which built a new smelting plant, dividing the building into a milling yard and a smelting area. With the passage of time, the once-thriving mining industry gradually declined, ending operations in 1987, and management was taken over by Taiwan Power Company. Bringing Thirteen Levels back to life, the Shui Nan Dong milling plant holds a significant place in Taiwan's mining culture with its irreplaceable historical value. In September 2019, a public art project called "Light Up the Thirteen Levels" was collaboratively created by Taiwan Power Company, international lighting artist Zhou Lian, and emerging artist He Cai Rou, illuminating the Thirteen Levels Ruins with golden lights, making it feel as if one were traversing a time tunnel, allowing visitors to once again witness the grandeur of the Golden Mountain City. Travelers who love night photography should not miss the night scenery of the Thirteen Levels. *Fixed lighting time: illuminated from 18:00 to 21:00.*
