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The Cihua Herbarium is not merely a tea shop; it is Taiwan's first designated Cultural Heritage Site and Taipei's first site designated as a "living heritage" with specific emphasis on its cultural and historical significance as well as its public space qualities. "It served as a gathering place for Taiwan's democracy movements, opposition activities, and free scholars, radiating a cultural atmosphere with educational, cultural, and political functions. It also strongly reflects the significance of everyday civilian life and culture, meriting preservation."

Cihua Herbarium is an elegant, traditional wooden building in an area concentrated with Japanese-style houses, originally constructed in the 1920s. With a private entrance and courtyard set in a quiet, elegant environment, it was taken over by the Ministry of Finance after the war and later transformed by descendants of its original residents into a tea house due to its wisteria vine climbing up its rooftops, giving the place its name, "Cihua Herbarium."

Filling the entire house with an artistic atmosphere, this place attracted many concerned intellectuals, progressive artistic and cultural workers who often gathered here. Consequently, it gradually became an iconic place for liberal ideas and social and political reform movements. To highlight Cihua Herbarium's cultural value, after efforts by artists and cultural practitioners, it was officially designated as a Cultural Heritage Site in 1997. This designation is not because of the age of the trees or the house itself but because of the spirit represented by the place.

Partial Source: Cihua Herbarium