At first glance, Anping Tree House looked like something out of a fantasy movie, where a crumbling warehouse was swallowed by massive banyan roots with branches weaving through brick walls and sunlight filtering through tangled canopies.
The structure dated back to the late 19th century during the Qing Dynasty and was later expanded under Japanese rule. It served as a warehouse for the British trading company Tait & Co., storing commodities such as sugar and salt. However, as the harbor gradually silted up and trade declined, the warehouse was abandoned. That’s when nature stepped in.
Over decades, banyan trees began growing around and through the structure. Their aerial roots stretched downward, penetrated the roof, wrapped around walls, and eventually consumed the entire building.
To protect the structure while allowing visitors to explore safely, wooden elevated walkways have been installed throughout the compound.
Within the compound, there was a bridge built over a small river where there is a viewing platform at the end.
Below was our family shadow shot of this trip.
Next to the Tree House is the former residence and office of Tait & Co., now converted into a small museum.
Inside the museum, we saw exhibits about Anping’s trade history, models of old ships, information about Taiwan’s export economy and historical photographs. They provided us with valuable context for understanding how this once-busy warehouse became an abandoned relic.
At one corner of the museum, we had a chance to do some Chinese calligraphy.
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