Highest elevation Starbucks in Taiwan closing doors after over 20 years

台灣海拔最高星巴克開幕餘20年歇業

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — After more than 20 years serving customers, the Starbucks with the highest elevation in Taiwan will close its doors permanently after business hours on Monday, July 21.

The Starbucks at Qingjing Farm in the mountains of Nantou County opened in 2003 and sits at an elevation of 1,743 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest Starbucks in the world, per UDN. According to reports, the company is giving up the location due to various market factors.

The Starbucks location, situated in the Mist Plaza shopping center next to the Qingjing Guest House, was a well-known attraction and a landmark for tourists visiting the scenic mountain area.

Reports indicate that flagging tourist numbers may have influenced the company’s decision to leave. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Qingjing Farm saw over one million visitors annually, but even with the post-pandemic rebound, visitors numbers have only surpassed 800,000 once, in 2022, per UDN.

Starbucks' departure from the area has reportedly worried some businesses that the farm’s attractiveness as a tourist destination may be in decline. Qingjing Farm said that the Taiwan Good Coffee Company (TGC) will be taking over the location to provide visitors with high-quality coffees and teas.