Liao Mayor Black Tea Story Land

Sun Moon Lake is located in the Yuchi Township of Nantou, where the celebrated black tea can rival the one grown in Darjeeling. The former mayor of Yuchi Township Liao Xue-hui (廖學輝) grew up in a black tea family and would like to promote this local black tea culture. He built up an European architecture in which the traditional tea factory and the modern retail sales center are combined in one site, named “Liao Mayor Black Tea Story Land.”

Combined with mild temperatures, the Yuchi Township boasts a perfect place for tea trees to thrive. Assam tea was first introduced to Taiwan during the Japanese Colonial Era, and the Yuchi Township produced some of the best black tea at the time. The quality was so highly approved that over 7,000 tons of black tea were exported. The Yuchi Township was therefore recognized as the “hometown of black tea.” However, in the 1970s, labor costs started to soar and the cheap tea leaves from India and Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon) further weakened the Taiwanese tea industry. Liao Xue-hui was elected mayor after the devastating 921 Earthquake in 1999. Trying to fulfill the expectations of the retired teamakers, Mayor Liao cooperated with the township office, the farmers’ association and the tea research institute to restore the ancient glory of Sun Moon Lake black tea.

A visit to Liao Mayor Black Tea Story Land will help you better understand the history and development of the local black tea. Inside, you will find all kinds of tea making equipments handed down by the father of Mayor Liao. These historic equipments have been in operation since 1958 and still working. If visiting during the harvest season, you will even get to see how they make tea with these traditional equipments. Before leaving, make sure you have a warm cup of Sun Moon Lake black tea. Take a sip and enjoy that smooth aroma going from the tip of your tongue, down the throat and all the way to your stomach. At the end, you will find yourself deeply connected with this land.