臺北市政府文化局

Today’s exploration of Nangang takes us in the footsteps of early pioneers as we venture into the mountains. In the drizzle, following the winding path along Dakeng River. On one side is Jiuzhuang, once one of the eight major villages in Nangang, while the other side leads to Xizhi. 

During the Qing Dynasty, many immigrants from Anxi arrived here, mostly tea farmers. Wang Shuijin and Wei Jingshi are considered the most important tea masters of that time. The area around Nanangang’s Laoliao was also the birthplace of Taiwanese Baozhong tea.

Wandering through the misty tea gardens, a faint and delicate fragrance permeates the mountain town. This place was once a crucial path for Taiwan’s tea, mining, and osmanthus industries. Passing by traditional red-brick old houses along the way, you can imagine the prosperity of the tea industry back then. Although it may evoke a sense of nostalgia today, Laoliao has become a secluded earthly paradise.

When you enter the tea exhibition center, you can listen to the tea master recount the historical context of tea cultivation and processing during the Qing Dynasty. You’ll hear about the path along which tea was transported from Nangang to Dadaocheng for export, bringing economic prosperity to Taipei, all underscoring the significance of this place as the leader in tea production.

The busy mind finds tranquility here. Accept a cup of heartwarming Baozhong, or unlock your senses by savouring the distinctive Qingxin Oolong. Take a sip of liquid blessings, satisfy body and mind, and allow everything to fit to a T.