By MOOK Scenic Spots Wu Pin-xuan | Compiled & Reported Photography / MOOK Scenic Spots Chang Ying-ying
With changes in the economic structure, Taiwan’s tea exports gradually declined, causing the more than two hundred teahouses that once flourished in Dadaocheng’s prime to close one after another. Xin Fang Chun Hang is the only surviving century-old teahouse building on Minsheng West Road. It was designated as a municipal historic site in 2009, perfectly embodying the East-meets-West character of Dadaocheng at its height.
This nearly century-old building, after undergoing restoration, reopened to the public in 2016. Stepping into Xin Fang Chun Hang is like traveling through a time tunnel back to the old Dadaocheng, offering a glimpse into its former glory.
On the first floor of Xin Fang Chun Hang, besides displays on the history and production process of tea, you can also explore the stylish “Cat House Kiosk.” After some browsing, you can enjoy fragrant tea paired with traditional pastries for a classic Taiwanese-style afternoon tea. The second floor recreates the set design from the Taiwanese drama “The Purple Dadaocheng.”
Additionally, there are many interactive installations integrating modern technology on site, among which the most astonishing is the 360-degree VR experience of the Dadaocheng panorama, taking you back in time and immersing you in the Dadaocheng of yesteryear.
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