Zacheng Cultural Park (Suantou Sugar Factory) Introduction
The Garlic Sugar Factory was established in 1906 and was the third-largest sugar factory in Taiwan during the Japanese colonial period. Due to flooding caused by Typhoon Nari in 2001, the factory's sugar production equipment was severely damaged, leading to the cessation of sugar production. It gradually transformed into a recreational industry, becoming a tourist attraction, and the Garlic Sugar Factory developed into the "Sugarcane Cultural Park" in conjunction with Taiwan Sugar Corporation's unique Sugar Train. The park's main feature is its century-old sugar factory. Although the machinery is no longer operational, the factory has planned a visitor route featuring displays of cane boards, molasses, and more. With the guidance of staff, visitors can gain a thorough understanding of the sugar manufacturing process. The Garlic Sugar Factory itself is a quaint wooden structure, and here, you can take a ride on the Sugar Train for an outing. The train departs from the station heading towards Taibao and Nanjing, with guides on board explaining the pastoral scenery along the way, including the annually decreasing white sugarcane fields. The park also showcases ancient-style architecture, allowing visitors to deeply appreciate the progress of life. At the end of 2004, a new attraction, the ecological park, was completed in the park, also serving as an outdoor teaching facility. The factory offers many unique and authentic icy treats worth trying, such as Garlic Sugar Red Bean Popsicle, Sugarcane Red Bean Ice, Job's Tears, and Sour Plum Popsicles, among other special flavors that will leave you wanting more!
