"Rainbow Container Dessert Shop" in a Temple by the Three Gorges — Only 10 Layers of Cake Sold per Day

▲ The NineSky container in Sanxia is located next to the "Qixuan Palace Jiutian Goddess Temple," creating a whimsical contrast. (Photo provided by NineSky Sanxia Container Café)

By Peng Huaiyu / Comprehensive Report

Did you see that right? A colorful container in a temple? Located on the mountainside of Yuanshan in Sanxia, "NineSky" is a dessert shop that became famous for its layered cakes. Run solely by the owner and her younger brother, the café sells a maximum of just 10 layered cakes per day. Flavors include local Sanxia tea-infused layered cake, plum wine layered cake, and the currently trendy rainbow layered cake, as well as main dishes and drinks.

▲ The NineSky Sanxia container also offers juices, coffee, and main meals. (Photo provided by NineSky Sanxia Container Café)

▲ "NineSky" is a vibrant container tucked away next to the "Qixuan Palace Jiutian Goddess Temple." (Photo provided by a netizen)sirenyangPlease do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.

"NineSky" is a vibrant container tucked away next to the "Qixuan Palace Jiutian Goddess Temple." The reason for this unique location is that the temple was founded by the owner’s parents 42 years ago. To be close to her parents, she decided to move back with her younger brother Youxin and start their business here.

▲ The best-selling tea-flavored layered cake is made using locally sourced Biluochun and honey-flavored black tea ground into tea powder. (Photo provided by a netizen)shenalan0228Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.

Speaking of the shop’s pride and joy — the layered cakes — the owner makes the pastry sheets extremely thin and stacks them carefully into 40 layers, resulting in a richly textured cake. Among them, two tea-flavored layered cakes are the most popular, made from locally grown Biluochun and honey-flavored black tea turned into tea powder. These must usually be reserved in advance on weekdays and sell out quickly on weekends, with a maximum daily production of just 10 cakes. Uniquely, the rainbow layered cake is sold through an online pre-order flash sale system. The owner reminds customers that if you're coming for the layered cake, it’s best to call ahead to check availability to avoid disappointment.

▲ % NineSky enjoys a high vantage point overlooking the Taipei Basin, offering different views from day to night. The owner recommends the sunset reflecting over the water, a scene so stunning it even attracts professional photographers. (Photo provided by NineSky Sanxia Container Café)

NineSky’s elevated location offers sweeping views of the Taipei Basin, with different moods from morning to evening. The owner recommends the view of sunset reflecting on the water, which has even drawn professional photographers. Her father also planted cherry blossom trees along the hiking trail, making the area especially beautiful during the cherry blossom season.

▲ The owner’s father planted cherry blossom trees along the hiking trail, creating an incredible display every cherry blossom season. (Photo provided by NineSky Sanxia Container Café)

The decision to build the shop using containers was actually a coincidence. “We didn’t have much funding at the beginning, so we went with the easiest option — containers. For our first container, we even cut the metal sheets ourselves. We did almost everything ourselves — painting, building the bar, tables, chairs, plumbing, and electricity. Later, we got lucky and caught onto the container trend, even matching the colors to those of the temple,” the owner explained.

▲ Almost everything inside and outside the container — from painting to the bar, tables, chairs, plumbing, and electricity — was done by the owner. (Photo provided by a netizen)cynthia4.13Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.

The shop’s name is quite unique. By chance, they translated "Jiutian" into English as NineSky and were surprised to find it sounded like "Nice Guy." They hope the name brings good people and good food, and that through this, they can create something special here. They also aim to carry on the legacy of the temple built with their parents’ hard work through "NineSky."

▲ The owners hope that good people bring good things and good food, and that they can create something meaningful here, continuing the legacy of the temple built by their parents under the name "NineSky." (Photo provided by NineSky Sanxia Container Café)

NineSky Sanxia Container Café
Address: No. 201, Lane 459, Zhongshan Road, Sanxia District, New Taipei City
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