Taiwan Sugar Museum

Qiaotou Sugar Factory (橋頭糖廠) is the first modern mechanical sugar factory in Taiwan, which operated from 1902 to 1999. With a history of almost a hundred years, the factory reflects Kaohsiung's transformation from an agricultural exporter to a center of heavy industry. Although the factory no longer operates, part of it has been transformed into Qiaotou Sugar Factory (橋頭糖廠), while the rest has become an area for art creation and recreation, selling popular ice products from the Taiwan Sugar Corporation.
br> In the art creation area, you'll find an old-fashioned dormitory that once belonged to the sugar factory. This building now houses several restaurants and shops selling childhood toys, coffee, pork buns, and kiln-roasted pizzas. Additionally, you'll discover paintings and sculptures created by artists. Between the Japanese-style houses, large trees provide shade, and on the grassy meadow, you'll find entrances to many bomb shelters. During the colonial era, these shelters were dug to prepare for war as sugar factories were prime targets for bombing attacks due to the essential nature of sugar as a daily necessity.
br> In the center of the park, you'll notice an unusual black statue of Guanyin. It's said that when the plant was built, tombs were discovered underground, so the business owner brought the god statue from Japan to suppress the gloomy feeling. Visitors now write their expectations and aspirations for the future on wooden tablets hanging beside the statue.
br> At the other end of the park stands Qiaotou Sugar Factory (橋頭糖廠). At the entrance, you can see a number of old trains that were used to carry sugar cane to the factory. Inside the factory, you'll see all kinds of large machines, from cutting and pressing to heating, cleaning, precipitating, and distilling, showcasing the unused yet authentic processing procedures.
br> Leaving the factory, you'll find yourself in the Kaohsiung branch of Ten Drum Cultural Creative Group, where percussion performances take place occasionally. This branch is larger than the Rende park in Tainan, so it's recommended to rent a bicycle at the KRT station for an easy trip in the park. On holidays, you can also take the little train run by Taiwan Sugar Corporation, known as ""wufenzi che"" (half-size train cars), a favorite for both children and adults.