ed. 12/2025 Very dangerous (risk of collapse, snakes), visitors not welcome This is an abandoned lumber and plywood factory in Nantou that reflects a chapter of Taiwan’s industrial history. Today, it serves as a parking lot and is partially accessible. Parking lot When walking through the vast, abandoned factory halls, it evokes the atmosphere of a post-apocalyptic saga—reminiscent of Cyborg with Jean-Claude Van Damme. The parking area is open on weekends, and some of the factory halls can be freely entered. However, visitors should be cautious—the monkeys in the area are known to be quite aggressive. They followed us, baring their

The Chiayi Tobacco Factory(嘉義菸葉廠) is located in Bao’an Village, West District, Chiayi City. It is bordered by Ziyou Road to the north, Beixing Street to the south, You’ai Road to the east, and Beian Road to the west. The complex is one of the most completely preserved tobacco factories in Taiwan and holds significant historical and cultural value. However, only some of the buildings are of high value, while others are modern additions. (earlier picture of the modern parts, warehouse 10 right side, warehouse 11 – now demolished, https://www.chiayi.gov.tw/News_Content.aspx?n=455&s=839542&utm) Construction was undertaken by Nakajima-gumi of Chiayi City, designed by Ufu Takeo,

Waste has always been a part of our industrial development and history. Here my report about a traditional business in Taiwan or a bit of end-of-the-world feeling: You see them less and less often in my community — the private garbage collectors. They are often elderly or disabled people who go around with bags or carts, collecting recyclables to sell later to recycling companies. Most often, in the evenings when the garbage truck comes, they ask residents if they can have their recyclables. Metals are especially valuable, but they also gather tin cans, some plastic bottles, and paper. They can be

Such abandoned companies sometimes offer us more insight into Taiwanese habits than it might seem—especially when we do a bit of research. Here we see a traditional company that apparently also cared about its employees. At the same time, it is an example of the kind of “cold bankruptcy” common in Taiwan—operations simply cease without formally deregistering the company. Even Professor ChatGPT was misled. This beauty is visible right from the street—as are the piles of garbage. It was a manufacturer of plastic sheets, boards, and pipes, founded in 1981. The site consists of two connected halls and an office building.

Dangerous (risk of collapse, snakes) ed. 12/2025 OK, let’s begin with a lesser-known spot. Can you see the entrance? The Guanxi Jianfu Brick Factory (關西建富磚廠) is fascinating, but it’s not a lost place—many people know about it, and it’s definitely worth a visit. However, just a few hundred meters away, there’s another site that far fewer people are aware of. This is one of the many forgotten kiln structures once common across Taiwan. If you spot a chimney like that, it usually means there’s a kiln nearby. But where exactly? Just start walking around and look for a small rise in

(ed. 8/2025) I visited a museum in Hsinchu and saw a video about this factory. I was told it is now closed to the public. My curiosity was instantly and electrifyingly sparked. I’m deeply fascinated by these lesser-known witnesses of the past. The factory was completed in 1944. The head office was situated in Zuoying, Kaohsiung, while the synthesis section was set up in Hsinchu City. However, when Kaohsiung was bombed by the US forces, the head office too was moved to Hsinchu. The primary purpose of the plan was to refine aviation fuel from locally grown plants for use by

ed 12/2025 Xinying Sugar Factory (新營糖廠) is not really a Lost Place—it’s easily accessible. However, right next to the Cultural Park, there’s an abandoned area with many old buildings, and entry doesn’t seem to be restricted. Adjacent to it is a modern complex. Let’s start with the promotional description from the official website, which actually provides a good overview: Xinying Sugar Factory is one of Taiwan Sugar Corporation’s three major factories. Due to its high organizational level, its office buildings and dormitories are uniquely designed. The factory boasts a dense railway network with flexible vehicle dispatching, making it a key transportation

dangerous (risk of collapse, dogs) The imposing main building of the China Electric Chemical Factory (中國電氣化學廠彰化) is gradually being reclaimed by nature. The factory is open to the public and can be easily found with a good sense of direction. It is located at the foot of Baguashan, near the Hongmao Well. Surprisingly, there is no information about this company on the internet, only a few unverified explanations. I have already asked clients and friends from Changhua to look into it, but so far without success. The reference to “China” in the name suggests that the factory was founded at a