Making cookies in a “Harry Potter-like” factory, assembling a wooden pen holder, and walking through a glass maze and rows of colourful ribbons – I enjoyed all these fun and interactive experiences in Taiwan’s tourism factories in Changhua. Tourism factories or sightseeing factories 觀光工廠 are unique attractions in Taiwan that have gained great popularity and attention in recent years.
Tourism factories are factories that specialise in manufacturing certain products and services and they welcome visitors to their factories to learn more about what they produce by participating in experiential activities like guided tours, exhibitions, and fun DIY workshops. Tourism factories are designed specially with interactive facilities to cater to domestic and international tourists. Most of tourism factories are usually free to visit and you can participate in DIY activities by paying a very small fees. And they are also good places to buy local products that make great souvenirs.
Do you know there are more than 100 tourism factories in Taiwan? Since 2003, the Ministry Economic Affairs in Taiwan has supported local factories to diversify their businesses to adapt to industrial transformation and boast their production and revenue.
During my most recent trip to Taiwan, I discovered the world of tourism factories in Changhua and visited four tourism factories that changed the way I understand tourism in Taiwan. I am in awe of the scale of the production, the spirit of innovation, and the passion shown by the locals who work so hard to make sure that visitors enjoy the factory tours.
I am so excited to introduce these four tourism factories: Taiwan You Good School of Cookie, Ribbon Museum, Taiwan Glass Gallery, J. Wood Garden. The tourism factories are enjoyable and educational travel destinations suitable for both children and adults. I strongly encourage you to add these tourism factories to your Taiwan holiday itinerary and experience another side of Taiwan. Follow me and tour these Taiwan tourism factories in Changhua!
Taiwan You Good School of Cookie
The only cookie museum in Taiwan, Taiwan You Good School of Cookie 台灣優格餅乾學院 is a yummy version of Taiwan’s Hogwarts. Set up like a “Harry Potter-inspired” fantasy universe in Xianxi Township 線西, You Good School of Cookie is where magic happens because you can learn all about cookies, bake, and eat lots of cookies.
Ranked one of the top tourism factories by Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan You Good School of Cookie is the brainchild of Rich Wu (吳睿麒, Wu Ruiqi). The founder of Taiwan You Good Food Company Limited 台灣優格食品有限公司, Rich Wu is a global leader in the cookie and confectionery business. Taiwan You Good Food Company started its journey in 1998 making traditional Chinese-style wedding cakes and expanded its operations to Changhua Coastal Industrial Park 彰濱工業區 to focus on cookies R&D and production.
Taiwan You Good Company has impressively established itself as Taiwan’s professional OEM baking provider and it is a key supplier of cookies for many other brands. OEM means original equipment manufacturer where one company designs and manufactures a product for another company to be sold under the company’s brand name. Taiwan You Good Company has produced biscuits for many local and international brands including Disney and Starbucks. The chances that biscuits you have eaten in Taiwan are produced by You Good are very high!
Taiwan You Good School of Cookie opened its castle doors in 2014 and it is one of the most popular tourism factories in Taiwan. The school slogan is “我們在台灣做世界的餅乾,” which translates to: “We are making biscuits for the world in Taiwan.” The tourism factory is an immersive and educational place for children and adults to learn more about the magic of biscuits and how they are made. Principal Owl is the mascot of the factory and it guides young and adults students through a fantastical learning and eating journey in the “Hogwarts-style” school of cookies. Watch this video for a tour of the Taiwan You Good School of Cookies.
What to do and see in Taiwan You Good Company
1. Cookie Plaza: The spacious cookie plaza on level 1 welcomes visitors with a moving train that runs above them. The animated train is like the “Hogwarts Express” and even emits smoke!
2. Cookie Museum: Learn all about the history of cookies and how Taiwan You Good Company has refined the business of making cookies.
3. Cookie workshop: Try the DIY cookie workshop and make your own cookies. It is so fun to mould the dough, create fun shapes, bake the cookies, and of course, enjoy freshly baked cookies at the end of the workshop. The workshop is so affordable (NT$200 to make 10-12 cookies; NT$250 to make 15 double-layered cookies) and everyone can participate and enjoy the cookie-making process. Find out more about the cookie workshop here.
4. Cookie Shop: This is a cookie wonderland stocked with a dazzling variety of cookies from chocolate biscuits, palmier, short bread, and any types of biscuits you can think of, you can find here.
I had the honour to meet Mr Rich Wu, the Founder of Taiwan You Good Food Company Limited and Taiwan You Good School of Cookie. In spite of his biscuit Empire and achievements, he is so humble and has such a big heart. I could not believe that he took the time to show me the factory.
Taiwan You Good School of Cookie is not just a biscuit factory and museum as Rich Wu is passionate about giving back to the community. The tourism factory works closely with the community in Xianxi Township to provide job opportunities to the locals and support disadvantaged children and elderly. When you visit Taiwan You Good School of Cookie, you are also supporting initiatives to uplift the local community. Enjoy a fun and meaningful time in this magical School of Cookie!
See my tour of Taiwan You Good School of Cookie!
- Address: No.5, Lane. 501, Caofeng Road., Xianxi Township, Changhua County, Taiwan
- Opening hours: 9:00am-6:00pm
- Cost: Free entry (additional fees for the DIY cookie workshop)
Ribbon Museum
Another famous tourism factory in Changhua is Ribbon Museum 緞帶王觀光工廠. Initially when I heard about Ribbon Museum, I wondered what’s the connection between Taiwan and ribbon and why would everyone visit a Ribbon Museum.
After my visit to the Ribbon Museum, I am so blown away by the dazzling variety of ribbons – I have never seen so many types, colours, and designs of ribbons. Ribbon Museum is established by King Young Enterprise Co., Ltd. (King Young Ribbon), the largest artistic fabric and ribbon manufacturer in Taiwan.
Founded by Peter Wu (吳世長, Wu Shichang), the King Young Enterprise is a world leader in producing high quality ribbons, laces, and textiles. The enterprise produces a staggering volume of 600 million yards of ribbons annually and supplies ribbons to Europe and the U.S. International companies and global brands work with King Young Ribbon. The factory is a professional OEM and they supply ribbons and related products all over the world.
Opened in 2011, Ribbon Museum showcases the scale and impact of the ribbon manufacturing industry in Taiwan. I had the honour of enjoying an in-depth and “enlightening” guided tour by Mr Peter Wu. He brought me through colourful rows and rows of ribbons. I have never known that ribbons are such an important product. Although ribbons may be a small product that we don’t usually pay attention to, ribbons are used in clothing, garment accessories, gift wrapping, holiday decorations, product packaging, stationery, events like ceremonies, and more.
The massive sightseeing museum covers over 10,000 square metres and it has successfully created an immersive world of ribbons and textile.
What to do and see in Ribbon Museum
Ribbon Museum is huge that I did not have time to go through all the exhibits and try all the activities. Check out this map of the museum and all the features.
Photo credit: Ribbon Museum 緞帶王觀光工廠
1. Ribbon Museum: A highlight of my tour is to see the incredible spectrum of ribbon designs, colours, textures. The company provides end-to-end services to their customers and oversees the entire production of ribbons from the preparation of the raw material, weaving, dyeing, printing, cutting, processing to packaging. For such one collection of Valentines’ ribbon, there are so many types of ribbon designs.
2. Factory processing and packing areas: See the behind-the-scenes of how ribbons are made. The factory invests in advanced production machines, which are operated by highly qualified technicians.
3. Ribbon artworks and exhibits: The museum is filled with beautiful and “Instagrammable” artworks and exhibits made of ribbons. The “City of Taiwan” art installation depicts popular elements of Taiwan’s culture and attractions using just ribbons! There is also a Ribbon Heart arch entrance made entirely of ribbon. Ribbon artistic exhibits showcase the wonders of the ocean, 12 constellations, animals, nature, and more. There are also AR and 3D exhibits.
4. DIY activities: There are many DIY activities to entertain all ages in the museum. You can try some machines and also tie and dye ribbons in colour dye for free. There are also other experiential DIY activities like making ribbon bears, flowers, and even printing tote bags. Check out more DIY activities here.
- Address: No. 15, Lugong Rd, Lukang Township, Changhua County, Taiwan 505
- Opening hours: 9:30am-6:00pm
- Cost: Free entry. Free guided tour in Chinese. Professional technical tour (NT$180). English guided tour (NT$180). For the professional technical and English tours, make reservations in advance (at least 2 weeks in advance) at 04-7813366. Additional fees for DIY activities.
Taiwan Glass Gallery
Located just next to the Ribbon Museum, Taiwan Glass Gallery 臺灣玻璃館 is another tourism factory that has been attracting doves of visitors. Set up by Taiwan Mirror Glass Enterprise Company Limited, Taiwan Glass Gallery is a multi-functional factory is designed to share everything about glass made in Taiwan.
Taiwan Mirror Glass Enterprise Company Limited is one of Taiwan’s main glass production companies. The family business started with 2 employees and now it has expanded to supply glass products domestically and internationally.
The factory is dedicated to providing an educational and entertaining space for visitors to have close contact with glass products and technology and understand the different types of glassware. There are three spacious main areas in the factory and the Glass Mazu Temple besides the factory.
What to see and do in Taiwan Glass Gallery
1. Golden Tunnel: A top attraction of the Taiwan Glass Gallery, this spectacular 72-metre glass tunnel is made up of 3,600 glass mirrors. The glass tunnel is described as a Golden Tunnel 黃金隧道 as the entire tunnel is constructed using glass and the optical illusion and light effects enhance the immersive and illuminated walk through the tunnel. We had a fun-filled experience getting lost in the maze of mirrors, reflections, and lights.
The entrance fee to this glass attraction is NT $150 and it comes with a pair of Taiwanese-style white-and-blue slippers. Visitors have to wear soft rubber slippers and disposable gloves to protect the glass flooring from scratches and smudges when they enter the Golden Tunnel.
Taiwan Glass Gallery owner and Taiwan Mirror Glass Enterprise Company Chief Executive Jackson Lin (林肇睢) collaborated the local rubber slipper factory owner to include rubber slippers as part of the Golden Tunnel experience to support the local manufacturers and boost the domestic economy.
2. DIY activities: The gallery aims to provide “zero distance” experiences for visitors when they interact with glass works. You can join a glass-blowing workshop (NT$1199) and also glass-making workshops where you can make items like mugs, paper weight, bottles, and more. See the Taiwan Glass Gallery website for more information about the DIY activities.
3. Dine and bring home glassware: One of the eye-opening experience of the Taiwan Glass Gallery for me is the dining experience. We had a hearty meal in the gallery and I was surprised to find out after my meal that I can bring the glass dining set home! The cost of the set meal is only NT$199 and I get a plate, bowl, and glass for free. This is a brilliant concept as it is environmentally friendly and visitors can have “made in Taiwan” glass souvenirs.
4. Glass Mazu Temple: An extension of the Taiwan Glass Gallery, this striking Glass Mazu Temple 玻璃媽祖廟 is built using over 70,000 pieces of glass. The Goddess of the Sea, Mazu is Taiwan’s most beloved and important deity. This special Glass Mazu Temple is the only glass temple in the world!
The entire temple is constructed using glass and filled with glass statues of deities, artworks, and even prayers items. Most of the structure is made of transparent glass except for the supporting pillars. The best time to visit the temple is when night falls as the temple is illuminated with LED lights are switched on. I just kept “wowing” when I explore this glass temple. This is a must-see place if you visit Changhua.
- Address: No. 30, Lugong South 4th Rd, Lukang Township, Changhua County, Taiwan 505
- Opening hours: 8:00am-6:00pm (weekdays). 8:00am-5:00pm (Thursday; level two closed to visitors). 8:00am-6:30pm (weekend and public holidays)
- Cost: Free (additional fees for the DIY activities)
- Opening hours: 8:00am-7:00pm (weekdays). 8:00am-9:00pm (Thursday, level two closed to visitors).
- Cost: Free
J. Wood Garden
The newest tourism factory in Changhua, J. Wood Garden 卷木森活館 opened its door in 2018 after three years of construction and development. J. Wood Garden is a subsidiary of Juan Wood Building Materials Company Limited 合室家建材有限公司 that manufactures in wood veneer building materials.
Conceptualised by Isaac Huang (黃昱哲), J. Wood Garden is the only wood veneer tourism factory in Taiwan. Like the growing group of young Taiwanese returning to their hometowns to revitalise local communities, Isaac, a second-generation youth helping out with the family business, is passionate about educating the younger generation about the forestry and art of wood craft and promoting environment protection and sustainability.
What to do and see in J. Wood Garden
1. Educational exhibits: The well-designed and children-friendly Forest Living Museum has exhibits and informative panels to share the knowledge of trees and wood veneer production process with the visitors. The exhibits are interactive and promote messages and ideas about the importance of protecting the environment as we use resources from our planet.
2. DIY activities: Both children and adults can try hands-on activities and use wood veneer materials to make stationery like pen holder, piggy banks, mini models in the shapes of rocking horse, dinosaurs, and more. See the range of DIY activities on J. Wood Garden website.
3. Wood craft shop: The shop on level 1 has an impressive range of wood veneer products. It is a good place to buy souvenirs as there are DIY wood handicraft sets that can be assembled to form models like animals and even Taiwan’s landmarks and cultural motifs.
- Address: No. 6, Gongye East 3rd Rd, Lukang Township, Changhua County, Taiwan 505
- Opening hours: 9:00am-5:00pm (closed on Thursdays)
- Cost: Free (additional fees for the DIY activities)
Other than these four tourism factories in Changhua, there are more tourism factories to explore in Changhua and the rest of Taiwan. If you are travelling to Changhua Coastal Industrial Park 彰濱工業區 to check out the tourism factories, these are some other attractions to explore: Brand’s Health Museum 白蘭氏健康博物館.
An impressive variety of tourism factories is spread over all Taiwan. If you are visiting Taichung, I recommend Okuma Center and for these regions, check out their websites for more tourism factories to visit: Tainan and New Taipei City.
How to get to the tourism factories in Changhua
The tourism factories or sightseeing factories in Changhua are mainly found in Changhua Coastal Industrial Park 彰濱工業區. You can get to the tourism factories easily by car or public transportation. Of course, the most convenient way is to drive.
Don’t worry if you do not have a car or drive, the public transportation is really accessible. You can take the Taiwan Tourism Shuttle (台灣好行) buses from Taichung High Speed Rail station (check out my new travel guide to Taichung) or Changhua bus station.
Travel tip: You can purchase high speed train tickets from Taiwan High Speed Rail website or discounted tickets (20% off) on Klook. Use my special Klook promo code WENDYKLOOK to enjoy 5% any Klook purchases (no min. spend; capped at USD $10).
There are two special bus shuttle lines: the blue Lukang Shuttle Bus Route (鹿港祈福線) – 6939, and the red Lukang Express Bus Route (台灣祈福快線) – 6939A.
For more information on how to get around Changhua, check out Travel Changhua website.
Taiwan Travel Fair 2024
Interested to visit tourism factories in Taiwan for your next holiday? Check out these tourism factories at Taiwan Travel Fair 2024! The travel fair is from 19-21 April 2024, 11:00am-7:00pm, at Marina Square (Central Atrium), 2F.
- Taiwan You Good School of Cookie 台灣優格餅乾學院 (Changhua)
- Okuma Center 寶熊漁樂碼頭 (Taichung)
- Shu Shin Bou Kirigakure Tourism Factory 手信霧隱城 (Taoyuan)
- Taiwan Soya-stewed Museum 台灣滷味博物館 (Kaohsiung)
- Li Kang Health & Regimen Factory 立康健康養生觀光工廠 (Miaoli)
Join us at Taiwan Travel Fair 2024 to explore the best things to do in Taiwan! Get more information about the travel fair from Taiwan Tourism Administrative Singapore Facebook page and see the schedule and activities here.
My trip to Taichung was organised and supported by Tri-Mountain National Scenic Area and Taiwan Tourism Administration Singapore.
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Use my special Klook promo code WENDYKLOOK to enjoy 5% any Klook purchases (no minimum spend; capped at USD $10).
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