Dalin Sugar Factory Introduction
Dalin Sugar Factory is located next to Provincial Highway No. 1, where the striking century-old giant chimney of the Taiwan Sugar Biotechnology Center can be seen from afar. During the Japanese colonial period, the Japanese government planned to develop a large-scale sugar industry in Taiwan, establishing the Dalin Sugar Factory in 1914, which attracted a large population, leading to Dalin being referred to as the "immigrant area." During the heyday of Taiwan's sugar industry, Dalin Sugar Factory boosted various local industries, making Dalin the most economically prosperous and culturally advanced place in Chiayi County, becoming an important spiritual symbol for the locals. With the decline of Taiwan's sugar industry, in 1992, Dalin Sugar Factory was merged into Beigang Sugar Factory and became the Beigang Sugar Factory Dalin Plant. In 1996, Dalin Sugar Factory officially ceased production, and its personnel and equipment were incorporated under Beigang Sugar Factory's jurisdiction, while part of the factory area was converted for biotechnological company production lines, with most of the area remaining preserved. Today, besides the crowds of tourists and shoppers at the sales center enjoying ice desserts, Dalin Sugar Factory is very quiet on ordinary days. In the 1950s, Taiwan's sugar industry played an important role in economic construction, and the 3,000-kilometer transportation network built by Taiwan Sugar Railways helped resolve trade and resident exchange issues on the island of Taiwan. This highlights the significant status of the sugar industry in Taiwan's history. To preserve the remaining artifacts of Taiwan's sugar industry, the Chiayi Forest District Office has provided an old steam locomotive and the Taiwan Sugar "Pioneer 6203" carriage for display at the current Dalin Sugar Factory. Combined with green landscapes and historical employee dormitories, visitors can clearly see the traces of Taiwan's sugar industry throughout history.