Nanjing Sugar Factory Leisure Square Introduction
After World War II, sugar was one of Taiwan's main industries and a major export product. Due to the favorable climate and soil in the Chiayi region for sugarcane cultivation, the Nanjing Sugar Factory, one of the three major sugar factories at the time, was established in Shuishang Township, Chiayi County. Founded by the Toyo Sugar Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in 1908, it had a sugar factory capable of crushing 3,200 tons of sugarcane daily, producing 20,000 tons of premium granulated sugar annually. Accompanied by the prosperous sugar industry, Shuishang once thrived, but regrettably, after the decline of the sugar industry, its former glory diminished. As sugar production lost its market competitiveness, the Nanjing Sugar Factory actively transformed and is now developing in a diversified direction. In addition to the original sugarcane processing and pig farming, which are now mechanized and professionally managed, it has developed several transformation projects, including a successful butterfly orchid industry that has established an excellent reputation internationally. The factory has planned a modern recreational market to sell Taiwan Sugar products. The popsicles produced by the factory come in various flavors, are delicious, and inexpensive, often attracting many visitors, making the market always bustling with activity. Next to the market, there is also a flower exhibition area and a children's recreational area, providing diverse choices for tourists. The recreational square of the sugar factory features displays of vintage locomotives, retired military vehicles, aircraft, and anti-aircraft guns, along with a barbecue area for public recreation, and a childhood tunnel for children to explore. Located conveniently across from Nanjing Train Station, the Nanjing Sugar Factory not only offers visitors a chance to taste frozen treats but also allows them to deeply feel its historical transformation, with shady trees, old buildings, and sugarcane carts, creating a nostalgic atmosphere.
