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The Xihu sugar factory train was one of the first tourism trains in Taiwan to obtain an operation permit. Nowadays, "taking sugar factory train, eating a sugar ice stick, and visit sugar factory," has become a very popular choice on weekends.
Since the time that Japan controlled Taiwan, sugar cane has been very important to the economy of Taiwan. However, as time went on, sugar cane became less and less important. As a result, Taiwan Sugar Factory tried very hard to turn around its business from selling sugar to becoming a tourist destination. The sugar factory takes advantage of its past history and production equipment, and re-arranged its sugar train to let visitors experience riding it. The length of the tourism train is about 7 km, and is accompanies with various agricultural plants. It is very appropriate to have field trip here for students and guides will explain the whole history of the sugar factory to them.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
During the Japanese colonial period in Taiwan (1895-1945), Xihu was an important center for sugar manufacturing; because of demand for sugar transport, a railway system was set up. Local offiicials have now set up a tourist train featuring a 60-year-old steam engine that pulls several train carriages full of tourists during weekend runs. The locomotive is Taiwan's first unmodified steam engine, Engine No. 346. Train lovers will enjoy the short ride. |
