Xinfangchun Tea Co.

About the Venue: Dadaocheng was once Taiwan's gateway to the international world. Through the export trade of tea and camphor, modern Western civilization and traditional Han Chinese culture sparked brilliantly along the Dadaocheng waterfront. Whether it was the competitive performances of modern plays or traditional opera troupes, or the flourishing of coffee salons alongside tea tasting culture, Dadaocheng thrived continuously in the first half of the 20th century. Xinfangchun Tea Co., a witness to this period of prosperity, was built in 1934. It was the ancestral home where Dadaocheng tea merchant Wang Lian-he and his father's family settled after moving from Anxi, Fujian to Taiwan to develop their business. This Japanese colonial-era building, combining both Chinese and Western architectural features, is one of the few well-preserved mixed-use Western-style mansions in Taipei City. It was designated a municipal historic site in 2009. A four-year restoration project took place from 2011 to 2015, and in the same year, the original owner donated this historically valuable heritage building to the Taipei City Government. After the Department of Cultural Affairs, Taipei City Government officially took over Xinfangchun Tea Co. in May 2016, it launched a series of special exhibitions on September 20, 2016. These included 'Revisiting the Splendor of Dadaocheng's Old Tea Houses,' 'The Story of Xinfangchun's Old Architecture,' 'The Aesthetics of Purple Dadaocheng,' and 'Rediscovering the Elegance of Dadaocheng's Tea-Scented Era.' These exhibitions recreated the industrial timeline and cultural context, introducing the public to this historic site and the glorious history of Dadaocheng's tea merchants. On July 1, 2024, National Taipei University of Education officially took over its operation. Xinfangchun Tea Co. will serve as an important base for promoting tea culture and nurturing talent. With the entry of a professional museum operation team, it aims to achieve 'tea exchange,' 'tea education,' and 'tea lifestyle,' thereby injecting new vitality into the Xinfangchun Tea Co. building. 2F Teahouse Space – Shi xian Tea: Inheriting the profound heritage of Taiwanese tea culture, Shi xian Tea blends nostalgic Republic-era styles with modern tea art aesthetics to create a unique tea tasting space. Located on the second floor, the teahouse offers an immersive experience, transporting you through time to savor the fusion of tradition and contemporary influences amidst the aroma of tea. Here, tea is not just a beverage; it is a medium to slow down and embrace the present moment. Through our mindful tea art courses and cultural salons, we guide you to rediscover inner peace during tea ceremonies, embarking on a personalized tea culture journey. (Source: Department of Cultural Affairs, Taipei City Government)