Checheng Woodworking Museum Introduction
Checheng thrived during the Japanese colonial period due to the transportation and trade of sugar, camphor, and timber, as well as the influx of manpower and resources brought in by the Japanese for the Sun Moon Lake hydroelectric power project. In 1958, Mr. Sun Hai, chairman of the major forestry company Zhenchang Industry, obtained the logging rights in the Dandalian area of Nantou County. Taking advantage of the convenient transportation, he moved to Checheng to establish a factory for timber production and domestic and international sales, bringing in over 2,000 jobs during its peak and leading Checheng and the surrounding Wuri area to be known as "Little Taipei." After the 1970s, forestry policies shifted focus to reforestation and land conservation, making it difficult for the lumber industry to continue under government logging bans, leading many to face factory closures or transitions. Zhenchang Industry primarily relied on exporting large logs, rendering the sawmill obsolete, which eventually led to its abandonment. To enhance tourism and recreational resources in the Checheng area and help visitors understand the historical development of the timber industry, the former factory, regarded as a precious industrial heritage site, was reconstructed into the Checheng Timber Industry Exhibition Hall. Opened in June 2008, the exhibition hall allows visitors to learn about the former glory of Taiwan's timber industry. Notably, the wooden structure of the old factory dates back to the early 20th century and was considered quite advanced in design during the 1950s. Therefore, when reconstructing the timber exhibition hall, a design concept of "overlapping old and new" was adopted, preserving the old timber frame while introducing a new wooden frame, creating an interesting blend of old and new timber structures in the same space. The intricate supports bring variation and unique aesthetic appeal to the space, allowing visitors to see the evolution of history and progress through time. In the exhibition hall, visitors can not only explore the renovated factory and revisit the 1950s logging scenes but also enjoy various wood displays. Upon entering the exhibition area, the unique scents of different woods fill the air, reminiscent of walking through a forest immersed in phytoncide. A visit to the timber exhibition hall provides a deeper understanding of the development of Taiwan's forestry industry.
