Pó-bí-lâu, Historic restaurant building near West Gate Circle in Tainan, Taiwan.
Pó-bí-lâu is a four-story building near West Gate Circle that blends traditional Taiwanese architecture with European influences. The interior features bright chandeliers and large dining halls that were designed for gatherings and meals.
The building was founded before 1905 during Japanese rule and was later rebuilt in 1934 at the southwest corner of West Gate Circle. The redesign in the 1930s reflected changes in Tainan's architecture and commercial life.
The name blends local languages and literally means 'house of the master'. Visitors can see today how the space still serves as a gathering point, and the ornate chandeliers reveal how much elegance mattered to those who gathered here.
The site operates today as a coffee shop with seating areas and is easy to visit when exploring near West Gate Circle. Historic photographs on the walls help visitors understand the area's past.
A famous local saying goes 'Jiangshan in the north, Pó-bí-lâu in the south', highlighting the place's regional importance. This phrase shows how Tainan's people viewed this location as one of their city's most important gathering spots.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
