Sun Moon Old Tea Factory

Sun Moon Old Tea Factory was established in 1956 (Minguo Year 45), and its tea processing plant was built in 1959 (Minguo Year 48). During the Japanese colonial period, the Taiwan Governor-General's Office, in order to develop the tea industry, specifically selected Yuchi Township around Sun Moon Lake as a black tea production area, recognizing its superior conditions of mild climate and fertile soil. From its establishment, the tea factory adopted the most advanced machinery and introduced the British black tea production process, laying an important foundation for Taiwan's black tea exports. In the post-war era, the tea factory continued to serve as a vital stronghold for Taiwan's black tea exports, once setting a new high in export value and showcasing a thriving period of prosperity. After the devastating 921 earthquake struck Nantou in 1999, Sun Moon Old Tea Factory actively responded to the 'One Town, One Product' revitalization policy, embarking on a path of transformation. It stopped using pesticides in 2003 and further transformed into a tourist factory in 2008. Currently, the tea factory manages its tea gardens using eco-friendly farming methods and organic cultivation, primarily producing black tea varieties such as Tai Tea No. 8 (Assam Black Tea), No. 18 (Ruby), and No. 21 (Red Rhyme). In the decade following the earthquake, the tea factory dedicated itself to promoting the Yuchi black tea industry, not only guiding surrounding small farmers and entrepreneurs and passing down tea-making techniques, but also assisting with industrial contract manufacturing, fostering the diversified development of Nantou's tea production, and injecting new vitality into the black tea industry. Regarding architectural features, the tea factory building cleverly blends Japanese industrial architectural style with local Taiwanese building material characteristics. The design of wooden frames combined with red brick walls not only considers the practical needs for ventilation and heat dissipation but also showcases exquisite architectural craftsmanship. The high-ceilinged tea processing space and unique ventilation design have fully preserved the architectural characteristics of early tea manufacturing. Many precious tea processing machines, such as rolling machines and fermentation beds, still exist within the factory. These pieces of equipment are not only important industrial heritage but also crucial artifacts testifying to the development of Taiwan's tea industry. Through these tools, we can glimpse the early tea making processes and the daily lives of the workers. The tea factory has always maintained close relationships with surrounding tea farmers, serving as a cherished collective memory for local residents. Many elderly tea farmers can still vividly recount the details of tea picking and production from yesteryear, and these valuable oral histories further enrich the cultural heritage of the tea factory. As times evolved, the old tea factory successfully transformed into a cultural park, preserving traditional tea-making culture while actively integrating modern creative elements, demonstrating the new value of industrial cultural assets. Through diverse exhibitions and experiential activities, the tea factory continues to convey the unique charm of Taiwanese tea culture to the public. Large areas of lush green tea gardens still surround the tea factory, reflecting the beautiful scenery of Sun Moon Lake and forming a unique cultural landscape. This not only bears witness to the development history of Taiwan's tea industry but is also an invaluable cultural landscape asset.