Taiwan’s Old Sugar Mill, New Thrills: Family Fun at TenDrum Creative Park in Tainan

TenDrum Creative Park is a cultural and creative hub transformed from a former Japanese-era sugar factory, perfectly integrating elements of history, art, and entertainment. It has been on my must-visit list for quite some time, and on this trip back to Taiwan, I finally managed to include it in my itinerary.

While the tickets to TenDrum Creative Park are not cheap, almost all the attractions within the park are free. Additionally, the ticket can be used as a dining voucher, making it quite cost-effective if you plan to enjoy all the facilities. The park offers many thrilling rides, but due to height restrictions, Lele and Xiexie were unable to experience many of them. Otherwise, I would have loved to try the Crystal Drop, Flying Courier, and Extreme Swing. However, we did get to enjoy the “Swing in Heaven” together. Mr. K sat with the kids in the back row, while I sat alone in the front. When the swing reached its highest point, the front-row seats left my feet dangling in the air, offering a breathtaking and exhilarating view of the park, though it wasn’t too scary.

The park’s landscape design is exceptionally beautiful, with stunning scenery and greenery everywhere, making it a perfect spot for photos. However, visiting in the summer requires preparation for the heat, as it’s very hot outdoors, and there are few air-conditioned areas. My favorite spot was the Dream Sugar Factory, inspired by the Harry Potter movies. The interior scenes made us feel as if we were in a magical world, perfect for taking pictures. We also rode the “Hogwarts Express,” a converted sugar train. Although the ride was short, the Diagon Alley-inspired scenery along the way was very interesting.

In addition to these attractions, the park offers many family-friendly activities, such as the Spider-Man Climbing Wall, Children’s Play Area, Outdoor Archery, and Bamboo Rafting. We also visited the History Exhibition Hall to learn about the sugar factory’s history and the development of Taiwan’s sugar industry. The exhibition featured many valuable historical documents and photos, along with interactive displays that provided a more intuitive understanding of the sugar-making process.

Finally, I challenged the park’s most iconic attraction: the Chimney Slide. After donning safety gear, I climbed a narrow iron ladder, barely wide enough for one person, to reach the slide’s top, about three stories high. Although the slide is transparent, the descent is so fast that it’s hard to see the outside scenery. The most thrilling part is the initial drop, but the actual slide is not scary at all.

We were lucky to catch a live performance by the TenDrum Art Percussion Group while in the park. The group incorporates various elements of ethnic music, emphasizing the power and momentum of drum music. Watching the performance live was truly impressive.

TenDrum Creative Park is an excellent destination for a family outing. Whether you’re into thrilling rides, interested in learning about cultural history, or just looking for a place to relax and take photos, this park has something for everyone. We spent four hours there, even without experiencing all the attractions. Although visiting in the summer can be a bit hot, the rich experiences and beautiful scenery make it absolutely worth a visit!