Departing from Taipei! Visit the Filming Location of the Taiwanese Drama "Tea Gold（茶金）" at Daxi Tea Factory and Enjoy Pure Rice Turnip Cake at Daxi Old Street

The signboard of Daxi Tea Factory is definitely a must-visit spot for taking photos.

Daxi Tea Factory: A One-Stop Spot for Photos and Souvenirs

The history of Daxi Tea Factory dates back to 1899, when the Mitsui Company established tea plantations in Taiwan during the Japanese colonial period. In 1926, they opened the Jiao Ban Mountain factory at the current site, using machinery to produce tea primarily for export to Europe and the United States. At that time, Taiwan's tea export industry was booming and gained international acclaim. The 2021 drama "Tea Gold" brought this historical grandeur back to life for audiences.

The tea factory rebuilt after the fire.

After a fire in 1965, the factory was rebuilt and later redesigned by the Agricultural and Forestry Company. It officially opened to the public in 2013, featuring exhibitions of tea-making machinery, a screening room, a tea library, and a restaurant, along with regular guided tours telling the factory’s story. Besides the fragrant tea, the factory's architecture is particularly eye-catching, with a two-story building supported by 151 beams in a crisscross pattern, showcasing a sleek and distinctive style. The building also features large aluminum windows that provide excellent lighting, promoting airflow during the hot summer months. The design cleverly uses the heat generated by the machinery below to help with the tea drying process.

The tea factory still operates on a limited basis. The size of the factory gives an idea of its past glory.

Today, Daxi Tea Factory is still operational. While the production volume may be limited, there’s no need to worry—tea is available for purchase! The shop on the lower floor sells tea leaves, tea cakes, cold brew tea, and local agricultural products. The packaging for Daxi's tea is designed in a minimalistic, artsy style, with recommendations for organic Qingxin Oolong tea and Oriental Beauty tea, both offering a sweet and mellow flavor suitable for daily drinking. Finally, you can try their tea-flavored ice cream, which has a subtle tea aroma and is refreshing.

A brief introduction to the tea-making process. The shop on the lower level of the tea factory sells tea leaves, tea cakes, cold-brewed tea, and Taiwanese agricultural products. The shop retains its rustic charm. Oriental Beauty Tea Must try the tea-flavored ice cream.

Daxi Tea Factory

Address : No. 80, Lane 732, Section 2, Fuxing Road, Xinfeng Village, Daxi District, Taoyuan City

Phone: +886-3-3825-089

Opening Hours : 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Ticket Price : NT$150 per person (NT$100 can be deducted from same-day purchases)

Transportation :

1.Take Taoyuan City Bus Route 710 (Daxi - MRT Yongning Station), wait at Exit 4 of Yongning Station. After arriving at Daxi Old Street Station, please transfer to bus route 5104 at Daxi Bus Terminal. After arriving at Shuiliudong Station, it's about a 2-3 minute walk to the tea factory.

2.Take the Taiwan Railway to Taoyuan Station, then transfer to Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 502 to Daxi Tea Factory Station (operates on weekends)

Website: https://www.daxitea.com/en/

Daxi Old Street: A Great Weekend Destination for Taiwanese Tourists

When traveling, one often fears encountering crowds of tourists from Hong Kong at popular spots, which can dampen the excitement. The Daxi Tea Factory and the nearby Daxi Old Street are primarily frequented by local Taiwanese tourists, making them a fantastic weekend destination. Daxi Old Street is bustling, reminiscent of Cheung Chau in Hong Kong, with historical buildings and unique food options that cater to families and groups alike!

Daxi Old Street was one of the earliest developed areas in Taoyuan during the Japanese colonial period, where many merchants opened shops for trade. The architecture features a blend of Baroque style popular in the Taisho era of Japan, adorned with traditional Minnan decorative patterns, reflecting a mix of cultural influences that are well-preserved to this day.

Qianxiang Garden （芊香園） was always packed with people. The turnip cake was fried until fragrant.

Popular food spots on Daxi Old Street include "Old Grandpa's Braised Tofu” （老阿伯現滷豆干） and "Cai Ji Malt Peanut Candy” （蔡記麥芽花生糖） . I highly recommend Qianxiang Garden （ 芊香園 ） , located at the street's entrance, which specializes in homemade pure rice turnip cake and garlic chili sauce. Unlike the typical preserved meat turnip cake eaten in Hong Kong, their pure rice turnip cake is made primarily from rice milk and shredded radish, offering a lighter, firmer texture. At Qianxiang Garden, they fry the turnip cake to a crisp, cut it into pieces, and mix it with their secret garlic chili sauce, creating a sweet and spicy flavor that is irresistible. You can even buy a bottle of the sauce to take home as a souvenir!

Pure rice turnip cake with a sweet and spicy sauce that's incredibly flavorful.

Daxi Old Street

Address : He Ping Road and Zhong Shan Road, Daxi District, Taoyuan City

Transportation: Take bus 9103 from Taipei to Daxi. Board the bus at Wanping Park Cultural Road in Banqiao District, New Taipei City. The journey takes about 2 hours. Get off at Taoyuan Bus Daxi Terminal and walk for about 2 minutes along Puji Road to reach the Daxi District Office of Taoyuan City. Buses run approximately every 20 minutes.

Website: https://travel.tycg.gov.tw/en/travel/attraction/1151

Qianxiang Garden

Address : No. 9, He Ping Road, Daxi Old Street

Opening Hours: 10:00-17:00( Saturday & Sunday)

Website: https://chgarden.blogspot.com/