【台東 眺港】TìaoGǎng Café in Taitung
Located in Taitung, 眺港 (TìaoGǎng) is one of those spots you could easily miss — and that would be a huge mistake.
Since there’s no official English name for this wonderful café, the literal translation 眺港 (TìaoGǎng) from Chinese to English is actually “Overlooking the Harbor,” which perfectly captures the feeling of this place.
What looks like a small hospital from the outside, may be a little bit misleading because it actually opens into a beautifully preserved historic space of a cafe that tells a unique story.
This spot was originally the first hospital in the neighborhood, and this building has been thoughtfully transformed into a café — keeping its original infrastructure while giving it a new, creative and artsy life.
If you love cafés with meaning and history — not just aesthetics — this is 100% your kind of spot.
about TiaoGang Café
眺港 isn’t just a café — it’s a piece of local history.
When I visited, I had the chance to chat with one of the owners, Alvis, who shared the story behind the name and how the space came to be. It made the whole experience feel even more special and personal.
Located on Zhongshan East Street in Chenggong, this space was originally the first hospital in the area, founded by Dr. Kao-Tai Li, who moved from Kaohsiung and became an important figure in the local community — but its story actually starts even earlier.
In the early 1900s during the Japanese era, Katsutaro Sugimiya, a former police inspector, was assigned to this coastal town (then called Xinggang). He played a major role in shaping the area — overseeing urban planning, road construction, and the development of the fishing port (which was completed in 1932), and helped the town grow into a thriving hub.
After years of building the area, Sugimiya chose to stay. He resigned from his post and built a two-story Japanese wooden residence near the port — a home where he could overlook the harbor he helped create.
After the Japanese period ended and Xinggang was renamed Chenggong (which translates to success), the property took on a new life. Dr. Kao-Tai Li, a doctor from Kaohsiung with a strong medical family background, settled here and transformed the residence into Gao’an Hospital, the first of its kind in the area. It even doubled as a gathering space for early church communities nearby.
As the town evolved, a new hospital building was constructed next door, and the original structure quietly returned to being a private home — preserving decades of history within its walls.
Today, that same space has been thoughtfully reimagined as 眺港. It’s amazing how history and architecture can be passed down through generations.
the vibe
Don’t judge this place by its entrance — it’s way bigger than it looks.
Once you’re inside, you’ll be surprised how spacious it actually is. You can order coffee, tea, and pastries, then take your time exploring while your drinks are being made.
What makes this place special is that it almost feels like a museum. You can walk through different parts of the building, see preserved elements from its hospital days, explore the connected Japanese-style home, even head upstairs to view the harbor, as well as visit the church!
If you’re stepping into the Japanese home, make sure to take your shoes offbefore going in. There’s a shoe cubby available to place your shoes so it’s not in the way of others going in and out of the home.
And if you see a black cat roaming around — that’s QQ. He’s not owned by the café, but he definitely acts like he owns the place 🐈
food + drink highlights
We ordered the Honeycomb Latte, which had crunchy honeycombs on top! Super delish and subtly sweet. I ordered the Crème Brûlée Tea,which amazed me! There was no sugar added, but still had that subtle brûlee taste at the end. So good! We also ordered a Lemon Cake to pair with our drinks.
know before you go!
🎟️ ADMISSION | Free
☀️ BEST TIME TO GO | Right when they open for a slower, more relaxed crowd
⏱️ DINING TIME | 100 minutes when tables are full (starts after you order + are seated)
📖 HISTORY | If the owners aren’t busy, they would be happy to share stories about the café, home, and nearby church
🧾 MINIMUM ORDER | One drink or pastry per person
💛 PERFECT FOR | Solo dates. Aesthetic café lovers. History lovers.
👨👩👧 CHILD POLICY | Family-friendly, but best suited for a calm environment
🪑 TABLES | Some tables are repurposed from vintage sewing machines — avoid stepping on the pedal
💲 PRICING | $
📶 WI-FI | Available — password is listed on the menu
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final thoughts
This is the kind of place you go to when you want to feel something, not just grab coffee.
Between the preserved hospital structure, the thoughtful redesign, and the little details (like QQ the cat 🐾), 眺港 (TìaoGǎng) feels like a real hidden gem that not everyone knows about yet.
I’d 100% come back — and it’s the kind of spot I’d recommend to someone who wants to experience something a little more different, more meaningful side of Taitung.
visit info
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01022026 11:11
From its preserved architecture to its aesthetic drinks and quiet, wander-through spaces, this spot is perfect for slow travelers who want something meaningful (and Instagram-worthy). If you’re looking for unique cafés in Taitung, this is one you don’t want to miss.