Nangang Tire Factory was once the industrial hub of Eastern Taipei in the late 1900s. However, as Nangang became a new revitalized area in Taipei City, the old industries were removed, and the Nangang Tire Factory was destroyed in about 2014. However, the Nangang Tire Factory Smokestack still stands today as a historical monument to Nangang’s historical industrial past.
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- How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
- Best places to stay: Yuanshan Grand Hotel or Fu Chang Hotel
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Historical Background:
By the 1950s, after coal mining and the brick industry had begun to slow down, Nangang was designated as an industrial district for tires, fertilizer, flower, chemicals, and other industries. Taiwan’s first tire factory, the old Nangang tire factory, built in 1959 (which is now an empty lot between Civic Blvd. and Nangang Road) used to have a very prominent smokestack that was later designated as a historical building, but was torn down recently.
In its prime, the tire factory was the economic center of Nangang. It was demolished in the early 2000s. All that remains of the factory and smokestack now is a small stub. There are still many tire stores, bus depots, car repair shops, car rental shops, car sales outlets, as well as driver’s education courses in Nangang. These remnants from an older time seem now to clash with the modern developments in Nangang.
In 2024, the Nangang Tire Factory Smokestack was moved near the new high-rise across from Taipei Music Center, and a new column was built. In 2025, it was finally opened to the public.
For more history about smokestacks in Taipei, check out our blog here.
Hours:
11 AM to 9 PM every day.
Price:
Entrance to the park is free, but different exhibits may charge an entrance fee.
Where to stay:
We recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here).
We have stayed at and recommend Gold Mountain Ranch, which is a horse ranch and glamping destination in Jinshan. You can book a night at Gold Mountain Ranch on Klook here. You can also check out our full blog on the ranch here.
We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here).
Activities in Taipei:
There are many activities available to enjoy in Taipei such as kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, SUP / paddle boarding, water biking, and more activities which you can book on Klook here or KKday here.
How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: The smokestack is on Nangang Road across from Carrefour, behind the Taipei Music Center, which is hard to miss. There is limited paid parking nearby.
Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here.
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.
By Train/MRT: The smokestack is within walking distance of either Nangang or Kunyang MRT Station. You can also take the MRT to Yingge Station. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here.
By Bicycle:
Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan’s landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan’s many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here.
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here.
Map:
Please see below:
Our Journey:
I have paid attention to the Nangang Tire Factory smokestack ever since I moved to Nangang in 2016, so I can tell you from personal experience the history of this place.
I had been watching since the Nangang Tire Factory had been demolished into a field and a cement block, so I was excited to see a new smokestack come up near the new housing development behind the Taipei Music Center.
On the new housing development, you could also see an ad for Nankang Tires, which I am not sure was paid for or just free for building on the former factory site.
For the longest time, the factory site was covered by a fence, but one day a typhoon came and knocked it over, so we could see what was going on behind it. Turns out it was just some grass.
The only thing left from the factory was the bottom of the smokestack here.
Closeup on the old smokestack.
There are also just great views from the parking tower near Nangang Station, where I took the photos.
View from ground level.
After the new high-rises were built over the old factory site, the smokestack was moved here.
This is actually a fake smokestack made to resemble the original smokestack, in case anyone is confused.
This is the view from the bottom of the original smokestack.
Nangang Smokestack.
The Nangang Smokestack was built in 1959 (Republic of China Year 48). It was constructed alongside the boiler room of the Nangang Refinery of Nangang Tire Factory Co., Ltd.
To disperse smoke produced during rubber manufacturing, the boiler room was built that same year, and the chimney was designed to a height of about 15 stories. Between 1986 and 1987 (ROC Years 75–76), due to soil liquefaction in the area, the chimney tilted, and its height was reduced to about 40 meters.
In 1999 (ROC Year 88), the 921 Earthquake caused further cracking of the chimney. Later, the 331 Earthquake caused additional damage, with gravel falling from the top. Reinforcement work was carried out, resulting in the current condition—broken at the top and narrower at the base.
This chimney stands as a witness to more than 60 years of Nangang’s industrial development. A nearby area was once the site of the American military’s Nangang logistics depot, which was later redeveloped into the CTBC Financial Park. In 2008 (ROC Year 97), due to safety concerns, the chimney was slated for demolition, but in 2011 (ROC Year 100), part of it was preserved as a remnant of the original boiler room, with a remaining height of 53.5 meters.
Today, it is being incorporated into future redevelopment plans, continuing to document the transformation and growth of the Nangang area.
View from behind the smokestack.
Top-down view of the smokestack.
Wide view of the area.
Another wide view of the area.
Overall, I am glad that this important heritage of Nangang was preserved. However, it would have been cooler if it were the full factory. But something is better than nothing.
Check out our Taipei Museum Guide here.
Check out our full guide to Nangang here.
Check out our full guide to Taipei here.
Check out our full guide to Taiwan here.
