The Banyan trees were not planted by the merchant house; they grew over the structure after it was abandoned for decades.
The merchant house was one of the five major foreign trading firms in Anping during the late 19th century.
The site features a specific exhibit detailing the history of the salt industry in Tainan.
The elevated walkways were designed to protect the root systems of the Banyan trees from visitor foot traffic.
The building's brick walls were constructed using traditional red bricks and mortar sourced locally during the Qing dynasty.
The Former Tait & Co. Merchant House is defined by the unique integration of architectural remnants with massive, intertwining Banyan tree roots. Originally built in 1867 by a British merchant firm, it served as a primary base for trading tea, sugar, and opium in Anping. The structure is part of the Anping Old Fort complex and serves as the Anping Tree House. During the Japanese colonial period, it functioned as a warehouse for the Japan Salt Company. The current visitor experience involves walking on elevated steel catwalks that weave through the interior and across the tree canopy. The site demonstrates the process of nature reclaiming abandoned industrial space. It is a designated historical monument under the Bureau of Cultural Heritage of Taiwan.
From the highest point of the elevated walkway looking down into the courtyard where the tree roots engulf the brick walls.
Bring mosquito repellent, as the humid, tree-covered environment attracts insects.
Wear comfortable, flat walking shoes for the elevated steel walkways.
Carry a portable fan if visiting during the peak heat of summer.
Do not attempt to touch or climb the tree roots, as they are fragile and protected by barriers.
