On my recent trip to Tainan, I stayed at Just Sleep Tainan Hushan Hotel, which is conveniently located near one of the area’s biggest attractions—the Ten Drum Cultural Village. I had absolutely no idea what to expect from this cultural village, but the overall experience was enjoyable! Since I visited during Taiwan’s summer season, the weather was humid and warm, so I’d recommend bringing a portable fan and carrying anti-mozzie patches with you to stay comfortable while exploring.
What’s unique about Ten Drum Cultural Village is its former identity. This piece of land used to be a sugar refinery hub consisting of 22 warehouses and a towering chimney. The story of this land goes back to the early days of Japanese colonisation in southern Taiwan, when the site was dedicated to sugar production. Interestingly, Tainan is also celebrating its 400th anniversary this year, making the visit feel even more meaningful.
Walking through the grounds, you can still see remnants of that industrial past, now given a second life as a cultural and creative space by Ten Drum Art Percussion Group.
Fun fact: Back in the olden days, sugar was considered a status symbol in Tainan—it wasn’t cheap, and the more you had, the more well-off you were perceived to be. That’s why sweet flavours became such a distinctive trademark of Tainan cuisine, a tradition that still lingers today.
Drumming workshop
After I have learned some bits of history about this village, I was led to a space where they conduct drumming workshop. It was such a fun and energising experience to learn the basics and actually play alongside others. Even as a complete beginner, the rhythm was easy to pick up, and the instructor made it lighthearted and enjoyable!
Next, I also had the chance to step into another warehouse that has been converted into a drum-making workshop. Here, you can see how the instruments are handcrafted locally, preserving traditional techniques
Live drum performances
I was also fortunate to catch a live performance by the Grammy-nominated Ten Drum Art Percussion Group, held in one of the warehouses that has been transformed into a theatre.
A Magical Sugar Factory
Another highlight for me was stepping into a warehouse that’s now a playful attraction designed for both kids and adults. Many of the old warehouses have been cleverly repurposed into museums, cafés, and little shops, each adding a new layer of charm to the industrial setting. Among them, the “Magic Factory” stood out—it’s one of the most photographed spots in the village, with its whimsical, almost Harry Potter–like atmosphere that immediately draws you in. And tucked within this space is an old train that visitors can actually hop on board, making it an extra fun stop.
Inside the Magic Factory, there’s also a section designed as both a play space for children and a spot filled with more photo opportunities. When I visited, I could already see kids dashing around playing tag, their laughter filling the space and adding to its whimsical vibe.
View this post on Instagram
Ten Drum Cultural Village
No. 326號, Section 2, Wenhua Rd, Rende District, Tainan City, Taiwan 71755
Lunch at Just Cafe
After exploring the Ten Drum Cultural Village, I headed back to the hotel for lunch at Just Café.
The culinary team behind Just Café is supported by Silks Place Tainan, ensuring that every dish is thoughtfully prepared and full of flavour.
Their menu is quite comprehensive, featuring a mix of local specialities alongside Japanese and Western dishes—so there’s really something for everyone. I also discovered that Tainan is known for delicacies like mullet fish roe and eel, and it was nice to see these local flavours included on the menu.
That said, I was actually craving for a donburi that day, and was glad to find it on their menu! I ordered the Broiled Beef Ribs and Sea Urchin donburi, and needless to say, it was absolutely delicious and so satisfying after a morning of exploring. Here are some dishes that were ordered among us as well, look, there is the western option Flaxseed Tomahawk Pork Chop Pasta with Century Egg and Taiwanese Mullet Roe Pasta with Capelin Roe. All meals come with salad, soup and a beverage. Pretty worth it I must say.
Among the dishes ordered at our table, there were also some interesting picks: the Flaxseed Tomahawk Pork Chop Pasta with Century Egg (a playful East-meets-West combination) and the Taiwanese Mullet Roe Pasta with Capelin Roe.
All meals came with a salad, soup, and a beverage, and with prices ranging from 400 to 600 NTD, it made the whole experience feel pretty worth it, I must say.
What I also appreciated is that Just Café isn’t just for hotel guests—it’s open to the public as well. So even if you’re not staying at Just Sleep Tainan Hushan, it’s a convenient and tasty dining stop if you’re visiting nearby attractions like the Ten Drum Cultural Village or CHIMEI Museum.
All photographs were taken by Discoverist.sg unless otherwise stated.
Just Sleep Tainan Hushan Hotel: Resort-Style Comfort and Culture in Tainan
