Since Lukang gentry Hsien-Jung, Ku founded Xihu Sugar Refinery in 1919, the sugar industry culture has established its roots here for over 8 decades. Once the most productive sugar refinery in Taiwan, Xihu Sugar Refinery was also the headquarters of Taiwan Sugar Corporation. In particular, the greatest assets are land development and profound history. “Wufen miniature train” forms an integral part of the railway system in central and south Taiwan.
The sugar industry was the lifeblood of Taiwan’s economy since the Japanese Occupation Period, as time went by, after Xihu Sugar Refinery ceased sugar production, the 80 year-old smokestacks stopped churning out smoke, but the miniature trains that were used for sugarcane transportation were painted and transformed into tourist trains. Through diverse management of the sugar refinery, the trains can continue to roam the ancient railroad, taking tourists to admire the picturesque countryside landscape.
Departure: Xihu Sugar Refinery
Destination: Xihu Sugar Refinery, round trip.
Driving distance: 7km roundtrip
Driving time: 1 hour
Xihu Sugar Factory has been successfully converted into a teaching and recreational factory. In 2002, the painted tourist miniature train was launched to facilitate local developments and attract more tourists. Occupying an area of 600 hectares, Da Pai Sha Farm is the terminal station of the painted miniature tourist train. Phase one of the project involved the designing of a seven hectare prairie for the public to enjoy.
After three plant expansions and an investment of more than NT$3 billion, Xihu Sugar Factory has finally reached today’s scale! The massive cogs measure 4m in diameter. The CHP generator supplies enough electricity for 1,000 homes. The enormous sugar evaporation tank on 2F and 3F is simply mindboggling!
Wufen Station was constructed in 1921, making it the longstanding station in Changhua County. To this day, the original appearance and wooden structure of the station has been preserved. After two of the most powerful earthquakes in Taiwan, only this station remains standing. Wufen Station is now one of the 10 historic sites in Changhua County. Since the sugar factory was transformed into a painted tourist train operation, it became a “Sugar Factory Railroad Museum”, exhibiting sugar factory railroad equipment from the early years for the public.
New appearance of “Wufen Miniature Train”
After successful transformation, Xihu Sugar Factory tuck shop is now an important weekend recreational facility in central Taiwan. Freshly squeezed milk from this proprietary ranch is used to produce flavorsome popsicles. For the “Holiday Theater”, venue is provided by Xihu Sugar Factory and Xihu Cultural Studio arranges performances and the sound system. Over the last number of years, arts and cultural activities have taken place on the sidewalk, in turn generating local development. In an effort to reinvigorate the tourism industry, Xihu Sugar Factory miniature train has been awarded an operating license, thus coming to Xihu Sugar Factory to “ride the train, eat popsicles and visit the sugar factory” has become the ideal recreational choice over weekends.
