Tao Tao Ju

Tao Tao Ju

Tao Tao Ju is a protected cultural heritage site of Guangzhou.

Tao Tao Ju’s current location is at Shiwu Fu, making it one of the time-honored brands in Guangzhou’s food and beverage industry. Its founding date is debated—some say it was established in the sixth year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1880), while others claim it was 1893 (the 19th year of Guangxu). However, due to poor management and lack of successors, it once went bankrupt in 1927 (the 16th year of the Republic of China) because of massive debts. It was not until 1933 (the 22nd year of the Republic of China) that it reopened.

After the liberation of Guangzhou in 1949, Tao Tao Ju transitioned from a public-private joint venture to a state-owned enterprise. From 1958 to 1964, it was repeatedly recognized as a model unit at both the provincial and municipal levels in Guangdong. In the early years of the Cultural Revolution, Tao Tao Ju was briefly renamed “Dongfeng Lou,” and it wasn’t until 1973 that it reverted to its original name. In 1983, it began operating in partnership with Hong Kong businesspeople. In 1987, it returned to being a state-owned enterprise and continued to expand its operations. In 1988, a Cantonese music teahouse was added on the fourth floor, blending entertainment with dining. In early 1989, a gourmet bakery was opened on the first floor, featuring a birthday cake decoration area accessible to passersby, along with services allowing customers to choose their own greetings and designs. Over thirty years later, during the national market economy reforms of the 1990s, Tao Tao Ju was among the many state-owned enterprises striving to survive through transformation. Around the year 2000, it was acquired by the Hong Kong-based Xingfu Lou Group, transitioning from a traditional state-owned enterprise to a joint-stock model to raise capital and introducing Hong Kong-style management practices. Tao Tao Ju has also been awarded titles such as “China Time-Honored Brand” and “National Top-Class Restaurant” by relevant Chinese authorities. In June 2005, it was designated as a registered cultural heritage protection unit of Guangzhou.

After several renovations, Tao Tao Ju now boasts an even more magnificent façade. The pillars by the roadside are inscribed with an elegant couplet from the Republican era, handwritten by contemporary calligrapher Qin Esheng, which was selected from a public competition. Lifelike reliefs further showcase the grandeur of this historic brand.