Chen Tianlai Former Residence Introduction
*Business temporarily closed due to cultural heritage restoration on March 27, 2024. The building restoration is expected to be completed between late 2026 and early 2027. Dadaocheng was one of the most prosperous metropolitan areas in Taiwan during earlier times, and Guede Street became “rich because of tea.” Many businessmen engaged in the tea trade became wealthy, including Chen Tianlai. He founded Jinji Tea Shop and invested in entertainment businesses such as Penglai Pavilion, First Theater, and Yongle Theater. The residence of Chen Tianlai, located at No. 73 Guede Street, was once the "Jinji Tea Shop." This three-story building, designed in a pseudo-Baroque style, was built in 1920. The first floor served as a trading space, the second floor as a guesthouse for tea merchants, and the third floor as living quarters. The exterior is grand and European in style, with a central main body flanked by two side towers, adorned with decorations such as dangling flowers and brackets, along with classical columns and large arches, exuding a romantic ambiance. It was formerly a popular gathering place for Dadaocheng tea merchants to enjoy tea and gaze at the Tamsui River docks. The back also features a private garden adjacent to Gangzi Channel (now Xining North Road), serving as an important witness to the splendid years of Dadaocheng in the first half of the 20th century.*
