Melo Villareal
Ten Drum Culture Village in Tainan City, Taiwan
I must say that most of my Taiwan trips have been synonymous with out-of-the-ordinary vacation experience; making it one of my top favorite destinations in Asia.
During our second day, we left Chateau de Chine Hotel (hotel info) in Kaohsiung for our tour to Tainan City; one of Taiwan’s crowded cities — yet rich with art and cultural appreciation. Not to mention, it is also Taiwan’s former capital during the Qing Dynasty. And although dubbed as the road less traveled, it kind of surprised me and the rest of the group as we discover its colorful past.
Let me share with you my experience at our first stop; which was at Ten Drum Cultural Village and please make sure to include this on your itinerary!
About Ten Drum Cultural Village
This might not be the most visited place in Taiwan, but is currently making a buzz, since it first opened in 2007. It spans up to 5 hectares and houses 16 old warehouses built during the Japanese Colonial Period.
From what was once a busy Rende Sugar Refinery, it has been taken over by the Ten Drum Percussion Group in year 2005, created a community where locals and tourists alike can immerse into the rich tradition of drumming. The whole complex was redesigned by a well-known designer Mr. Liu Guocang.
The main goal of the complex is to promote the traditional drumming art to the world and in only 7 years, partly thanks to the amazing location, atmosphere, and great organization, its name is already strong out there with many international artists performing here from all over the world.
Activities To Do Inside the Village
Visit Drum Museum
If you want to know more about the art of drumming and watch performances from international artists, then check out the drum museum. Inside are drumming experience rooms, a small indoor theater, a huge outdoor area, a praying hall, and various exhibits. You can also drop by at the Ching Ci Lin Drum Factory and find out the traditional process in making the drums.
As for the thrill seekers, there’s the Chimney Slide and the rooftop swings for exciting activities. Definitely worth every moment.
Visit the Secret Water Pond
There’s this sweeping view of the Secret Water Pond, where most tourists stop by to appreciate its beauty and take a picture. It’s serene, lots of walking paths, and perfect for a good walk and taking a break in the busy city. This area used to be the secondary cooling pool of the old sugar refinery. Ten Drum transformed it by adding floating timber pier, sightseeing bench, ecological waterfall, and fallen bridge waterfall.
Watch an upbeat Drum Show at Tainan Dream Sugar Theater
We arrived just in time for the Drum Show. Unfortunately, photography is not allowed during the show but If you are familiar with the Japanese show Drum Tao, it’s quite similar. The theater was built on five-mills squeezer, it’s a machine that squeezes cane to produce sugar. Using transparent tempered glasses allowed us to see a full view of the refinery while enjoying the show. Collocating soft-beauty and passionate drumming music, the performance allowed us to appreciate the local history, human culture, and art.
Visit the Maintainance Book House
After watching the Drum Show, we visited the Maintainance Book House. The building used to be a maintenance house of the sugar plantation during the Japanese Colonial Period. Today, it was transformed into a Bookhouse with improvised furniture and fixtures. The lathes are transformed into desks, bookcases and the hard hats are used for their improvised lampshades. There’s also a coffee and dessert bar inside the book house just in case you want to spend time reading books.
Create and Release your own Sky Lantern
Inside the village, you can also create and release your own Sky Lantern. If you are one of those travelers who are worried that sky lanterns are creating risk and additional damage to the environment, don’t worry, the lanterns are released to the narrow Chimney and there’s a net that prevents them from releasing in the sky.
Experience the Chimney Slide
Located right next to the Chimney, the place was originally a sugar residue storage. It was now transformed into a creative slide and collocated a vertical wall for people who love rappelling and rock climbing.
Learn how to Play Drums
During our tour, our guide also taught us the basics on how to play the drums. It was fun to learn but it became more confusing later on as they add few sequences.
Sample Local Dishes at the Ten Drum Restaurant
After touring around some of the key attractions of the Village, we sampled their specialty dish at Ten Drum Restaurant. The Chef made sure to incorporate sugar cane in most of their dishes and their food is served in a drum-shaped bowl.
Chill at Honey Bridge Cafe
Built in May 1983, It used to be the largest among the three molasses tanks inside the sugar refinery. Today, the entire space was converted into a coffee shop. This place is a perfect pit stop after a tiring tour of the entire village.
Travel Tips
Just like traveling to other foreign countries, it’s always best to have a travel buddy – someone to take your photos, share the bill, and enjoy the sceneries with. Since Tainan is packed with these unlimited sights, history, and rustic charm, where you and your buddy will definitely enjoy.
Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and appropriate attire when visiting the village. And if you ever get lost, don’t be shy to ask for directions.
How to get there
By Train (To Taiwan Railways Baoan Station)
- Walk along Wenxian Road and turn left and cross over the tracks, then you will arrive in Ten Drum Rende Sugar Culture and Creativity Park.
- Take the Red 3 (to Tainan Park) at Baoan Bus Station to Ten Drum Cultural Village.
By High-Speed Rail (To High-Speed Rail Tainan Station)
- From Tainan Station, take a Taxi ride to Ten Drum Rende Sugar Culture and Creativity Park.
- Taiwan Railways Shalun Line -> Baoan Station -> Baoan Bus Station and take the Red 3 (to Tainan Park) at Baoan Bus Station to Ten Drum Cultural Village.
Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday 9:30~21:00 (Friday 9:00~21:30, Saturday 9:30~21:30) Ticket information: Full price tickets NT$ 399, evening tickets prices NT$ 200
Tainan City Travel and Tour Packages
Check out our complete list of recommended Hotels in Tainan City, Taiwan via Agoda or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.
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