Yamay Sugar Factory, Industrial heritage site in Houli District, Taiwan
Yamay Sugar Factory is a historic industrial building in Houli District, in the north of Taiwan. The site is made up of several old factory halls with original machinery still in place, covering every step of sugar production from raw cane to finished product.
The factory was founded in the early 20th century during Japanese colonial rule, when sugar became one of the main exports of Taiwan. It stayed in operation for several decades before eventually closing as the industry declined.
The name Yamay comes from the Japanese-era name for the area, a reminder of the colonial period that shaped this part of Taiwan. Inside the buildings, old work schedules and tools are still on display, giving a sense of how the workers spent their days.
The site has both indoor and outdoor sections, so comfortable shoes are a good idea for the full walkthrough. Weekdays tend to be quieter, giving more space to look at the machinery and read the information panels at your own pace.
The factory is one of the few in Taiwan where a narrow-gauge rail track is still visible on the grounds, once used to bring cut sugarcane directly into the facility. Following the path of these old tracks gives a clear sense of how raw materials moved through the site.
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