The retro floral tile wall is super photogenic — a new IG hotspot in Chiayi

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

In early Taiwan, besides the intricately crafted traditional sanheyuan courtyard houses, the floral tiles used as roof and wall decorations were rarely known to many. The floral tiles, which were popular across Taiwan between 1915 and 1930, adorned the homes of the wealthy and were considered quite luxurious decorations at the time. Located in Chiayi, the “Taiwan Floral Tile Museum” has transformed an abandoned cypress wood old house into a magnificent vintage floral tile building, aiming to preserve and continue Taiwan’s floral tile culture.

The Taiwan Floral Tile Old House houses a collection of over a thousand vintage floral tiles. Stepping inside feels like traveling back in time to the nostalgic early Republican era. Inside, you can see entire walls covered in floral tiles, along with various floral tile decorations and furniture, all exuding a retro vibe that brings back memories of the past.

The floral tile culture flourished in Taiwan for less than 20 years before disappearing due to World War II. As Taiwan’s economy took off, thousands of floral tile buildings were demolished. In 2016, a French university applied for the “Taiwan Floral Tile Culture” to be recognized as an intangible cultural heritage, highlighting the importance of Taiwan’s floral tile architecture.