For 80 years before its 2002 closure, this plant was one of Taiwan's biggest sugar refineries. Today, the main factory building is essentially derelict but forms the focus of an extremely popular shopping experience, with a variety of outlets selling snacks, souvenirs and overrated ice cream. Shops are interspersed by fountain pools, old processing equipment and the odd sugar-pulling rail car and steam loco.
A small museum section highlighting the history of the sugar industry is all in Chinese. Should you wish to sleep in the town of Guangfu (光復), the Japanese-era wooden cabins that were once home to the sugar factory workers have been rebuilt to form an appealing hotel.
The site is just south of Guangfu: turn off Hwy 9 at Km251.5. Seven daily Tourist Shuttle buses (www.taiwantrip.com.tw) come here from Hualien (NT$205, 1¾ hours) via Liyu Lake; last return 5.50pm.
