Author Chelsea Chih Yi Chen
Photographer ChihYi Chen, Pinglin Tea Museum of New Taipei City, Xiangshun Tea House
Taipei is renowned for its futuristic skyscrapers and modern shopping malls, but the city’s natural wonders, just beyond its borders, often remain undiscovered. One such hidden gem is Pinglin—the nearest place from Taipei you must explore. Known for its thriving tea industries and often referred to as the ‘Tea City,’ Pinglin has been selling its tea since the Japanese colonial period, gaining international acclaim. It has diligently preserved valuable tea processing skills, continues to uphold these cherished tea techniques, tea plantations, also tea cultures to this day. This is also an industry that local residents rely on for their livelihood.
Pinglin Tea Museum of New Taipei City (坪林茶博物館)
Pinglin Tea Museum is the only museums in Taiwan regarding with the Taiwanese tea cultures. The Pinglin Tea Museum is built in traditional Chinese Siheyuan, with a combination of modern architecture. The museum consists of three main sections: the Exhibition Hall, the Experience Hall, and the Museum Shop. The Exhibition Hall features a clear presentation of the multifaceted aspects of tea, encompassing both its material and spiritual dimensions. The exhibition displays in this hall change every three months. The Experience Hall serves as an interactive space for a “five-senses experience,” allowing visitors to explore the wonders of the tea world through touch, smell, listening, and hands-on activities.
When you visit, you will experience a journey through the timeline of Taiwanese tea, along with a magical VR experience in the exhibition. One of the exhibitions I have attended was titled “Singularity”- The Metaverse of Immersion.” It combines various professional realms such as physics, philosophy, and social sciences, showcasing the process from ancient times to the AI generation.
Humans have long known how to incorporate immersion into daily life, whether through bathing, pickling, or making religious offerings. Throughout the thousands of years of history, people have been brewing tea. In modern times, with the endless possibilities of immersion, it is not just about immersing in daily life but also in dreams, virtual reality, and illusions.
After immersing myself in this amazing time-traveling experience, I exited the exhibition hall and strolled along the outdoor landscaping pool and promenade that surrounds the museum. I then had a cup of tea with my friends in the pavilion, enjoying the whole morning.
Xiangshun Tea House (祥順茶行)
Just go through the history of tea culture, we must explore the magic and specialty of Pinglin tea. Before I arrived in Pinglin, I only knew that it was renowned for Wenshan Baozhong Tea, with limited knowledge of tea procedures. It was only when I met the super-friendly owner of Xiangshun Tea House, Tsai Guoxiang, that I gained a deeper understanding.
The owner Tsai has taken out one kind of Pinglin tea and invited me to try. I am still remembered that the first time I tried was Tieguanyin(鐵觀音), which is richness taste elevated me to a state of bliss.
Tsai explained that how he make this kind of tea. Tieguanyin tea is a moderately fermented and heavily roasted tea. After the tea leaves undergo withering, their fermentation level is enhanced through stirring. Once processed into tea leaves, they undergo repeated roasting, during which the tea components transform into aroma through the heat of the fire. So every time you make tea, you have to spend a week taking care of the tea leaves like a child.
The owner Tsai Guoxiang, is the third generation owner of Xiangshun Tea House. In 1983, Tsai Guoxiang（蔡國祥） took over his family’s tea production business. Having been exposed to tea-making knowledge since a young age, he received the top award at the 1987 Wenshan Baozhong Tea（文山包種茶） Spring Tea Competition. He continued to delve into tea-making techniques and in 2021, he received the reward again and became the Bouzhong Tea master. Tsai Guoxiang humbled said that “I am so happy with that, after 30 years, I can still win this rewards.’’ Tsai spent his whole life doing his tea careers. When I asked what is the key point of making high-quality tea like he did and he proudly said that experience matters— When cool weather and the first wave of dry cold air arrive, it’s crucial to harvest and process the tea to yield high-quality tea leaves and produce tea.
Matsu Cafe(良醫藥師本舖)
From Xiangshun Tea House to Matsu Cafe is about a 3-minute walk. You will notice a Japanese-style building stands along the roadside. At first glance, you might not recognize it as a cafe, as it bears the name of a “Good Doctor” shop. Upon entering the space, one can feel the relaxation and tranquility associated with the Japanese tea and Zen lifestyle. Matsu Cafe originated from the renovation of an old street house in Pinglin, where the veranda still proudly displays the early “Western Medicine, Tea” (西藥・茶)sign.
There are four concepts in this building, namely “Pine”, “Bamboo”, “Orchid”, and “Plum”—known as the ‘Four Gentlemen of Health'(健康四君子)—that characterize each floor with a unique health-symbolized meaning. The first floor, represented by ‘Pine,’ serves as a coffee shop offering trendy health coffees, detox teas, and light sandwiches inspired by Japanese and French cuisines. Each floor functions as a health classroom, a space for tea and Zen culture, and an elder-friendly kitchen.
Pinglin is a place with a large elderly population, and that is why the founder, Pharmacist Liu Huilan, wants to make an effort in Pinglin to promote whole foods and cultivate health-conscious habits. Additionally, every Thursday, resident pharmacists are available for consultations on chronic prescriptions for the residents.
The dishes they offer consist of seasonally pan-fried fish with Japanese rice balls made from black rice, slow-cooked to perfection. The fish has a fresh and sweet texture, while the rice is firm and velvety, providing me with a warm and satisfying experience.
【Information】
Tea Museum of New Taipei City (茶博館)
Address: No.19-1, Shuisongqikeng, Pinglin Dist., New Taipei City
Hours: Mon. to Fri. 09:00 am – 05:00 pm, Sat. to Sun. 09:00 am – 5:30 pm
Website: Click
Xiangshun Tea House
Address: No. 167, Section 8, Bei-Yi Rd., Pinglin Dist, New Taipei City
Hours: Mon. to Fri. 08:00 am – 09:30 pm, Sat. to Sun. 08:00 am -10:00 pm
Matsu Cafe
Address: No. 37, Shuiliujiao, Pinglin District, New Taipei City 232
Hours: Wed. Closed, Sun. to Tue. 11:00 am – 06:00 pm, Thur. to Sat. 11:00 am – 06:00 pm
