The Taiwan Sugar Railway National Greenway was established under the National Greenway Network Development Framework Plan initiated by Taiwan's National Development Council (NDC). The plan identifies greenway corridors with strong development potential, broad stakeholder consensus, and favorable implementation conditions. Three priority demonstration routes were selected: Danlan Trail, Raknus Selu Trail, and the Shanhaizhen Greenway. In addition, four supporting routes were designated as general greenway corridors: the Centennial Irrigation Canal Greenway, Taiwan Sugar Railway Greenway, Central Mountain Range Greenway, and Indigenous Ancient Trails.
The plan has two primary objectives :
- To establish a comprehensive and integrated National Greenway Network through holistic and systematic planning, connecting outstanding cultural assets, natural landscapes, green spaces, and public open areas while preserving existing linear heritage corridors, such as irrigation canals, sugar railways, and former railway lines. The network is intended to promote the diverse values and functions of greenways, including cultural heritage preservation, ecological conservation, healthy lifestyles, outdoor recreation, and sustainable tourism.
- To develop a National Greenway Network that provides residents with safe, convenient, and comfortable access to Taiwan's natural and cultural landscapes, fostering a deeper appreciation of the nation's diverse cultural heritage and ethnic traditions. Internationally, the network will serve as a distinctive national brand, showcasing Taiwan's unique cultural and ecological assets to the world.
The Taiwan Sugar Railway National Greenway was planned based on the「 Taiwan Sugar Railway Cultural Route Assessment and Preliminary Planning Project」 conducted by the Bureau of Cultural Heritage, Ministry of Culture. Suitable sections of the historic sugar railway were selected as the foundation of the Greenway.
Following a resolution （adopted by the National Development Council on January 8, 2021）, two official Greenway sections were designated:
- Changhua Section: From Xihu Sugar Factory to MingDao University, with a planned future extension to Xizhou Forest Park.
- Tainan Section: From Annei Sugar Factory to Xinying Sugar Factory, and onward to Wushulin Sugar Factory.
Greenway Enhancement Project
The National Greenway Enhancement Project (scheduled for completion by the end of 2022) includes the installation of wayfinding signs, interpretive panels, bicycle parking racks, and landscape planting, while incorporating elements of Taiwan's sugar industry heritage into the overall greenway design.
- Expected Outcomes and Benefits of the Changhua County Government Improvement Project :
- Establishing a Representative, Long-Distance Taiwan Sugar Railway National Greenway and Connecting with the Historical Sugar Industry Heritage of Xizhou Township.
The project aims to create a continuous and distinctive Taiwan Sugar Railway National Greenway by improving approximately 13.6 km of existing sugar railway cycling corridors. Four themed landmark points will be developed along the existing route, and a new dedicated sugar railway-themed corridor will be constructed between Pitou and Xizhou, with a length of approximately 1.9 km, further strengthening the connection between railway heritage and local landscapes.
- Enhancing the Cultural Features of Xihu Sugar Factory and the Five-Branch-Line Railway Heritage.
The project will strengthen the cultural identity of Xihu Sugar Factory and the historic Five-Branch-Line railway experience while integrating with the Xihu Green Living Infrastructure Development Program to expand overall community benefits and improve the quality of the surrounding environment.
- Integrating with the Local Revitalization Program of Pitou Township.
By connecting with the Pitou Township Local Revitalization Program, the project aims to attract more visitors, create local employment opportunities, and stimulate regional economic development. Together with initiatives such as the Dongluoxi Tourism and Recreation Improvement Project, the Greenway will establish a circular regional tourism network. Through the introduction of electric sightseeing vehicles and integrated transportation services, the project will further promote sustainable regional revitalization.
- Expected Outcomes and Benefits of the Tainan City Government's Enhancement Project
- To establish a representative, continuous long-distance Taiwan Sugar Railway National Greenway and strengthen the historical and cultural connections among the three sugar heritage sites of Annai, Xinying, and Wushulin. The project will optimize the landscape and planting along approximately 16.5 km of the existing Sugar Railway bicycle green corridor; construct approximately 0.3 km of a new Sugar Railway-themed bicycle corridor (from Provincial Highway 1 to Dongshan 3rd Road toward Wushulin); improve the signage system and supporting facilities at 29 locations along the bicycle corridor; and create 11 distinctive destination nodes highlighting the unique character of the Sugar Railway corridor.
- Through the Taiwan Sugar Railway National Greenway, the project will integrate the historical and cultural heritage of Taiwan's sugar industry, develop high-quality recreational spaces and bicycle corridors, and stimulate local economic development by enhancing the value of tourism and related industries.
