If you’re looking for a great taste of fragrance, then a tea house will probably the one for you.
Nothing can be more attractive to have a sip of selected tea in a monument in “ Wistaria Tea House” and enjoying the art gallery at “ Qingtian Tea House” while drinking some tea.
The history of the tea culture in Taiwan can be traced back to the 19 century brought by the British businessman named John Dodd, who is now well-known as the Father of Taiwan Oolong Tea, and he made the tea business in Taiwan thrive. During the Japanese colonial period( 1895-1945) Formosa Black Tea spread vigorously to Europe and America with high quality and fame. Yet, with the break out of WW2, lots of the tea plantations were changed to make other use. It was not until the end of the war and the recovery of the economy did the tea culture start to slowly recover. Now it is an indivisible part of our daily lives.
Wistaria Tea House in Da-an district is a tea house we highly recommend. Built in the 1920s, it was first used as a dormitory of high position government officials until 1980. In 1981 it became a tea house and often held exhibition. It was a very important spot for the democratic movement of Taiwan at the time. Many elites active in social movements held many meeting here. History aside, it is also known for its high quality tea and antique tea wares. Here, you can taste various kinds of tea with lovely fragrance and to seek the” Gongfu Tea Ceremony,” the art of tea brewing in Chinese culture.
Qingtian Tea House is another tea house with Japanese style architecture. It was once the dormitory of the professors in National Taiwan University but had been disused for years. In 2012, it was bought by the Dunhuang art gallery and opened as a tea house. It is actually a very important stop of our very own Chill Out tour every Thursday and Sunday.
Last, but not least, Maokong. One can take the Maokong Gondola there and enjoy the night view of the whole Taipei City. Feel the fresh breath of air and have a sip of great high mountain tea. And if you’re lucky enough at night when the sky is clear enough, you may even catch the Milky Way!
A tea house is where you can seek tranquility in the hustle and bustle of Taipei city, but tea culture itself is totally more than that. It is a way of living.
Wisteria Tea House
Address: No.1, Lane 16, Section 3, Xinsheng S Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City, 106
Hours: 10AM-11PM
Qingtian Tea House
Address: No.12, Lane 8, Qingtian St, Da’an District, Taipei City, 106
Hours: 1PM-6PM, book first after 6PM-9PM, closed on Monday
Maokong Gondola
Take the MRT Wenshan-Neihu Line and get off at Taipei Zoo Station.
