Photo taken on 25th Feb 2025, at the corner of Yung Le Market pointing towards the old Watson's store building. Lens in use was an Olympus 12-100mm F4 on 12mm (equivalent to 24mm on a full-frame setup). As seen, Dihua Street is a bit wider.
T
Date picture taken
25 Feb 2025
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the dispensary building, 1917
The "A.S.Watson dispensary" (屈臣氏大藥房) was built in 1917. It is said that a Chinese herbal merchant Mr Lee bought the agency right from A.S. Watson then and started dispensary business. Even Scott's Emulsion was on sale from that period. 1
Alas the wooden structures of this old building were all burnt in a fire c.1996, only the exterior stone building remains. Now part of it is used as a bookstore, I think, where the sign 'Taiwan Story House' shows on the photo.
Re: Watson's
Hi there,
If my memory of it is still intact, the ground floor had been partitioned into a visiting centre, a souvenir shop, and something else. (a cafe? perhaps?) I did not take any interior photos there as there were privacy concerns.
Bought some savery snacks there which was very good indeed.
T
ps After consulting Google Maps, I found my memory did miss quite a bit. The visitor centre is in the same block, but on the other corner. The Watson's building is on the corner of Lane 32, Section 1, Dihua Street while the visitor centre (of Dadaocheng) is in the corner of Lane 46, Section 1, Dihua Street.