raymondc465

2018-01-23 21:58:42

It was a hot afternoon when we were there. It was within walking distance from the MRT station, but the road leading there was dusty and not quite well maintained. The exhibition rooms were small, hot and stuffy. The exhibits were common and not really very attractive. although it did give some insight to the past sugar industry of Taiwan. But, I think one could get more information from the Internet than from the Museum.

Susanfan

2018-01-20 15:50:40

the museum itself was very nice but the surrounding vendors and shops were very noisy and rowdy. Could be better on weekdays.

EvaL777

2018-03-16 22:57:53

This historic, beautifully landscaped park area is really lovely with planted flowers, notably sunflowers, lots of old defunct trains, lots of art in way of sculpture, a fish pond with lilies, a couple of buildings housing museums. One museum houses everything to do with pigs, which is whimsical and fun to look at - not sure what significance of pig displays was for. The other museum displays old telecommunications equipment from the last century. Next to the metro station by the same name, there is a German made diesel locomotive train for tourists that that will take you to a lotus pond where there are ducks & geese, but operates only on weekends. I was there during a weekday and just walked the entire park area. It is a very restful, peaceful area perfect for picnics. You can also rent bicycles that seat 4 and bicycle your friends or family on pathways around the park. A large building selling famous Taiwanese foods and drinks gives tourists a chance to shop for gifts. Many stop to have an ice cream popsicle of which there are many flavours to choose from. Halfway between ice cream and a popsicle, these will cool you off on a hot day. Nearby there is a a very strange Ripley's Believe it or Not museum that seems out of place in the area. You have to pay to go in there but I didn't. The history of sugar is very interesting in Taiwan. The sugar industry did not begin until the Dutch took control of Taiwan. Mid 1600s, an influx of Chinese specialized in growing sugar and rice. Sugar became Taiwan's primary export and was booming in the 1800s. When the Japanese took over in 1895, they modernized the process. When Taiwan was handed over to Nationalist rule, The Taiwan Sugar Corporation (Taisugar) merged all existing sugar companies. The sugar industry boomed in the 1950s and 60s, but since then has gone into decline. The corporation has diversified into tourism, floriculture, biotechnology and retailing, with a chain of gas stations.

Jadie_Lye

2018-01-27 11:25:03

The whole scene is akin to come out from photos from our parents generation. It was well-maintained, as it was nearly sunset, I did not managed to visit the entire place.

duckieft

2018-02-16 21:48:54

only recommendated if you want to know how sugar is being made. this attraction is no longer in working condition, just a old and rusty sugar refinery turning into musuem for interested people to visit. in the musuem which is separated in different buildings, shows different items. one of them is the factory. the machineries are left intact, so you will have a rough guide to the sugar processes. but it is dark and i find it scary. i only managed to walk halfway before thinking it is enough. in another building, features a history of the early development of this city explaining how sugar actually became one of the most important resources for Taiwan. And also, how the sugar industry slow down and eventually lost the profitability due to changes in the country economical restructure. the stories hung on the wall are interesting. if you intend to stay longer and browse more things, there is a bicycle rental just outside the musuem. but really, no point to rent one since the musuem isnt big. there are some great photo taking attractions at walking distance. overall, as i am not a big fan of sugar (plus there was slight rain), i left after loitering around for 30mins. not to forget, there is a shop selling really cheap ice cream. worth a try.