Shuinandong Smelter

The Shuinandong Smelter, also known as the Remains of the 13 Levels (水湳洞十三層遺址), was once Asia's largest refining facility, processing the abundant gold and copper ores found in the area. Built in 1933 during the Japanese Colonial Era, the smelter played a significant role in the gold rush that transformed the villages of Jiufen and Jinguashi into prosperous mining towns.

The smelter's tiered construction, despite being named the Remains of the 13 Levels (水湳洞十三層遺址), actually consists of 18 levels. After World War II and Taiwan's restoration in 1945, the Taiwan Gold and Copper Mining Bureau took over the management of the mining industry. However, as the gold deposits were depleted, the industry declined, and the company shifted its focus to copper, which also faced challenges due to rising extraction and purification costs.

The smelter's fortress-like appearance is accentuated by its extraordinary ventilation system, featuring one of the world's longest concrete pipeline systems, extending over 1,000 meters. The toxic emissions from the smelter once posed a threat to the health of residents and workers in the surrounding areas. To address this, the authorities constructed three pipelines to redirect harmful gases away from inhabited areas.

In recent years, Jiufen and Jinguashi have seen a resurgence in tourism, drawing visitors eager to explore the surreal remains of the smelter and learn about the area's history of prosperity and decline. The smelter's iconic presence and its role in the region's mining heritage continue to captivate and intrigue visitors.