Watsons Pharmacy Established in 1917 in Taipei: A Nostalgic and Artsy Store

Seeing Watsons Pharmacy, does it feel like a time warp? The story begins in 1917 when herbal medicine merchant Mr. Li Junqi obtained the agency rights and opened a large pharmacy in Dadaocheng. The Watsons we see everywhere today was actually acquired by Hutchison in Hong Kong in 1963 and entered Taiwan in 1987. The grand Watsons Pharmacy of the past sold foreign medicines, but due to complex agency disputes, the Hong Kong headquarters did not recognize it, and eventually, a lawsuit was filed in Tokyo. Interestingly, the trademark tower outside the building has a dragon on the right and a qilin on the left; whereas in Hong Kong, Watsons has a unicorn on the left. Next time you visit Dihua Street, look for this emblem. In 1990, a major fire destroyed all the wooden parts inside, but the stone facade was perfectly preserved. Thanks to the efforts of the Li family's descendants, the building was rebuilt to its current state. Now, the Xiaoyicheng team assists in its operation. The first floor houses the 1920 Bookstore and the Taiwan Product Hall, featuring nostalgic items like old-fashioned coasters and heat pads with Taiwanese imagery, all combined in this space. The second-floor café is also a favorite nostalgic spot for tourists. 📍Address: No. 34, Section 1, Dihua Street, Datong District, Taipei City, 103 🚗 About a ten-minute walk from Beimen Station