New Fang Chun Tea House Introduction
Dadaocheng once served as Taiwan's gateway to the world, where the export trade of tea and camphor sparked a remarkable fusion of modern Western civilization and traditional Han culture along the banks of the Tamsui River. Whether through the performances of modern new plays or student theater troupes, or the vibrant coffee salons and tea culture, Dadaocheng remained a bustling hub during the first half of the 20th century. The "New Fang Chun Tea House," built in 1934, is a testament to this prosperous era. It was established by Wang Lianhe, a tea merchant from Dadaocheng, who moved with his family from Anxi, Fujian, to Taiwan. This building, which blends Western and Eastern architectural styles, is one of the few preserved mixed-use buildings from the Japanese colonial period in Taipei. In 2009, it was designated as a city historical site, followed by a four-year restoration project that took place from 2011 to 2015. In the same year, the historical building was donated to the Taipei City Government by its original owner. Since May 2016, when the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Taipei City Government officially took over the New Fang Chun Tea House, it launched several special exhibitions on September 20, 2016, including "Returning to the Glorious Radiance of Dadaocheng's Old Tea House," "The Story of the New Fang Chun Old Building," "The Aesthetic Exhibition of Purple Dadaocheng," and "Revisiting the Fragrant Years of Dadaocheng Tea" to showcase the industrial and cultural context of the area and introduce the historical significance of the tea house and the grandeur of Dadaocheng's tea merchants. In 2018, the Cultural Affairs Bureau entrusted the operation of the historical site to the Taiwan Creative Content Agency, injecting innovation and revitalizing energy into the New Fang Chun Tea House through three main themes: "Living Tea Story Museum," "Tea Cultural Creative Development Platform," and "Making Friends through Tea." The tea house recreates past sales scenes using a concept of integrated exhibition and sales and plans a composite space that combines "books, cultural creative products, tea drinks, and exhibition activities" aimed at both domestic and international visitors. The opening theme exhibition, "Fragrant Spring Tea Path – The Golden Era of Taiwanese Tea," showcases the successes of Taiwanese tea exports to Europe and America and its popularity at world expos. Additionally, through the rich trade artifacts of the New Fang Chun Tea House, visitors can learn about the tea house's deep engagement in the Southeast Asian market, offering them a better understanding of Dadaocheng and allowing them to appreciate the historical elegance of the New Fang Chun Tea House. (Source: Taipei City Government Cultural Affairs Bureau)
