Remains of the 13 Levels, Historical smelter in Ruifang, Taiwan.
The Remains of the 13 Levels is an old smelting facility in Ruifang where copper and gold were processed during the industrial era. The site consists of stone foundations and structures built into the hillside, along with a system of large metal pipes that carried exhaust across the landscape.
The facility opened in 1933 during Japanese colonial rule and operated until 1973, processing ore extracted from nearby mining operations. During World War II, it also functioned as a labor camp where prisoners of war were forced to work in harsh conditions.
This smelting facility played a key role in shaping the local economy during the industrial period, with its operations deeply woven into the daily lives of miners and workers in the surrounding area. The site also served as a prison labor camp, making it a place where visitors can reflect on difficult chapters of the region's past.
The site sits on a steep hillside and visitors should wear proper hiking shoes and bring water for the uphill walk. The paths are uneven in places, so good physical condition and careful footing are helpful when exploring the ruins and surrounding area.
The exhaust pipe system features tubes two meters in diameter that stretch several kilometers up the mountainside, an engineering solution that was quite advanced for its time. This network was designed to carry smoke and fumes from the smelting operations high into the air, reducing pollution in the settlements below.
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