The Story Behind Beijing’s Most Legendary Coffee Shop: Mulan Café

When you walk into a coffee shop that claims to have ‘stories,’ you’re usually met with framed photos, a chalkboard menu, and maybe a cat. But Mulan Café in Beijing isn’t playing that game. This is the real deal: a café born from a cross-strait romance, built with million-yuan investments, and filled with hand-carved antique redwood furniture. If you’ve ever wondered which Beijing coffee spot has actual cultural depth—and not just aesthetic depth—this is it.

Mulan Café is more than just a café—it’s a cultural landmark in Beijing’s creative hub, Gongti. Founded in 2011 by a Taiwanese businesswoman and her mainland Chinese sculptor husband, the café reportedly cost several million RMB to build, featuring bespoke redwood furnishings and imported underfloor heating. It’s been a gathering place for artists, intellectuals, and coffee lovers ever since.

The Founders: A Cross-Strait Love Story

Mulan Café was founded by a Taiwanese woman and her mainland husband, a renowned Chinese sculptor. The couple met by chance in Hong Kong, fell in love, and married six months later. Two years after their wedding, they had a daughter. After dedicating three years to raising her, the mother—backed by her husband’s support—re-entered the professional world and opened Mulan Café. It quickly became a hub for family, friends, and cultural figures.

Location & Vibe: More Than Just a Pretty Space

Situated in Beijing’s fashionable and internationally styled creative complex known as ‘Gongti’ or ‘’, Mulan Café occupies a space designed to impress. Though not flashy upon entry, the café exudes understated elegance. Its interior blends cultural minimalism with luxury—most notably through its extensive use of genuine antique redwood furniture.

The Redwood Furniture: Craftsmanship Meets Investment

Mulan Café’s most striking feature is its collection of antique redwood furniture. These pieces aren’t just for show—they’re functional art with financial value. Redwood trees take over a century to mature, making the wood rare and highly durable. Antique redwood furniture can appreciate by over 10% annually, attracting collectors and investors. Each table and chair in the café carries historical significance, adding layers of meaning to the space beyond its aesthetic appeal.

Why Mulan Café Stands Out in Beijing’s Coffee Scene

Unlike many modern cafés that focus solely on coffee or Instagram aesthetics, Mulan Café offers a layered experience: specialty coffee, Western pastries, cultural conversations, and centuries of craftsmanship in every piece of furniture. It’s a place where art, history, and caffeine intersect—a rare find even in a city as culturally rich as Beijing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Mulan Café located in Beijing?

Mulan Café is located in Beijing’s Gongti area, inside the creative and fashion-forward complex known as (Gongyuan or “Competitive Garden”). It’s in the city’s eastern, trendier district known for its artistic and international vibe.

What makes Mulan Café different from other cafés in Beijing?

Mulan Café stands out due to its unique origin story, high-end interior design, and use of antique redwood furniture. It was founded by a Taiwanese entrepreneur and her mainland Chinese sculptor husband, blending personal narrative with cultural and artistic elements not commonly found in typical coffee shops.

How much did it cost to build Mulan Café?

The café reportedly cost several million RMB to construct, with significant investment going into its interior, including custom redwood furniture and imported underfloor heating systems.

Is the redwood furniture in Mulan Café valuable?

Yes. The redwood used in the café’s furniture comes from trees that take over 100 years to mature. Antique redwood furniture is both a cultural artifact and an investment, often appreciating more than 10% in value per year and sought after by collectors.

What kind of crowd visits Mulan Café?

Mulan Café attracts a mix of artists, intellectuals, cultural figures, and coffee enthusiasts. It has become a regular meeting place for creative professionals and those interested in both specialty coffee and cultural exchange.

Does Mulan Café serve specialty coffee?

While the article focuses more on the café’s cultural and historical aspects, it does confirm that Mulan Café serves coffee and Western pastries, positioning it as a destination for both drink and conversation among Beijing’s more culturally minded clientele.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Cultural Café Settings

For a café like Mulan—with its deep cultural roots and appreciation for craftsmanship—try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui for bright floral and citrus notes, or Yirgacheffe for juicy berry and stone fruit profiles that pair beautifully with conversation. For something richer, their Black Cocoa Blend offers chocolatey depth ideal for pairing with desserts. All are freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.