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Xin Yuan Chang Black Tea Culture Hall
Long-standingGift box
VerdictTaitung's first tea factory, home of red oolong
A long-running tea factory in Yong'an, Luye, described as Taitung's first, where the second generation developed red oolong. The culture hall offers free tastings and tours, sells tea as souvenirs, and its red oolong wheel cakes are well liked.
Review
Xin Yuan Chang Black Tea Culture Hall is at No. 451 Yong'an Road in Luye Township, not far from Luye Highland and the hot air balloon area. Smile Taiwan says Xin Yuan Chang was Taitung's first tea factory and has operated locally for more than fifty years. The first generation, Wen Tseng-kun, moved from Hsinchu to Luye and introduced Assam black tea; the second, Wen Chi-fang, processed oolong and Jin Xuan leaves with black tea methods to create red oolong, reviving Luye's tea trade; the third generation, Wen Ching-yu, now runs it.
Tea is the star here. The hall offers free tastings with staff brewing on the spot, usually red oolong, black tea, oolong and Jin Xuan, and sometimes award-winning teas for comparison. The third generation sticks to traditional methods and pays special attention to sun withering. There are also wheel cakes, which a travel blogger suggests buying several of, and diners say they carry a red oolong aroma. Tea prices vary by product, so ask on site.
Fans praise the warm owners and staff, free tastings without hard selling and clear explanations; one visitor planned to stay ten minutes and ended up staying two hours, even being taken into the tea fields. Foreign travellers say communicating with translation apps went smoothly. Complaints are rare, mainly crowding when tour groups arrive at weekends, and some note that the best teas are not cheap, so taste a few before buying.
Online listings show hours of about 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a blogger writing 6 p.m., and no fixed day off; check before you go. Mobile payment is accepted. There is parking out front, so driving is easiest, and it fits neatly between Luye Highland, the balloons and the Chishang route as a tea break.
It suits tea lovers, anyone after a distinctive Taitung souvenir, or those curious about the story of red oolong. Sit down first to taste red oolong and black tea, comparing roasting and oxidation levels, then pick a tea you like to take home; and grab a red oolong wheel cake to enjoy with your cup.
Why go
- Free tastings brewed by staff on the spot
- Red oolong, created by the second generation, is the star
- The wheel cakes carry a tea aroma; buy a few
- No hard sell, so take your time tasting
- Mobile payment accepted; parking in front
- Fits between Luye Highland and Chishang
What people say
Liked
- Warm owners and clear explanations
- Free tastings with no pressure to buy
- Tasty wheel cakes with a red oolong aroma
Complaints
- Crowded when weekend tour groups arrive
- The best teas are not cheap
Summarized from the common views of bloggers, media and diners; not direct quotes.
Videos
Location
台東縣鹿野鄉永安路451號Directions ↗
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Sources
This page is compiled from the articles below and rewritten in our own words. Hours and prices change, so check before you go.
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