The Story Behind Beijing’s Most Legendary Mulan Cafe

In a city full of trendy cafés, few have a narrative as compelling as Beijing’s Mulan Cafe. But beyond its serene façade lies the love story of a renowned sculptor and a Taiwanese entrepreneur—an international romance that led to a unique creative space where coffee, culture, and craftsmanship meet.

Mulan Cafe, nestled in Beijing’s trend-forward ‘Competitive Garden’ , is more than just a coffee shop. It’s a high-design cultural salon built with bespoke imported materials—most notably, rare century-old hand-carved redwood furniture—that cost millions to create. This isn’t your average café: it’s a crossroads of art, storytelling, and premium design.

The Love Story Behind the Cafe

Mulan Cafe began with an unlikely romance. A handsome, accomplished Beijing-based sculptor—described as one of China’s highest-valued in his field—and a stylish, driven Taiwanese businesswoman who ran her own cultural enterprise met by chance in Hong Kong. Within months, they married, had a daughter, and two years later, with full support from her husband, she opened Mulan Cafe. Their story didn’t just inspire the cafe’s name—it defined its soul.

Location & Aesthetic Design

Situated in Beijing’s hip, internationally styled Competitive Garden, Mulan Cafe was built with an investment of several million yuan. The space was designed with an emphasis on artisan quality. Even the flooring features handwoven carpets meant to be walked on, not just admired. But the standout feature? The extensive use of high-value redwood furniture, selected by the owner for both beauty and cultural significance.

Redwood, known for its slow growth cycle and longevity—it takes at least a hundred years to mature—is not only visually luxurious but also holds intrinsic value. Antique redwood pieces, in particular, can appreciate by over 10% annually, making them prized assets among collectors.

What Makes Mulan Cafe Special?

Step inside Mulan Cafe, and you’ll find a space that defies expectations. Though built with costly materials, the interior avoids ostentatious luxury. Instead, it exudes a refined, understated cultural energy. The deep hues and meticulous carvings of the redwood furniture add an air of timeless elegance and grounded luxury. Every chair and table carries historical weight, with some pieces reportedly embodying centuries of craftsmanship and cultural narrative.

The aesthetic is minimalist yet meaningful: no gaudy gold leaf, but rather a calm, collected ambiance that invites conversation, creativity, and quiet appreciation. It's a venue where artists, intellectuals, and coffee lovers converge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Mulan Cafe located?

Mulan Cafe is located in Beijing’s Competitive Garden , an area known for its international, creative, and fashion-forward vibe. It’s a hub for cultural exchange and artistic expression.

What makes the furniture at Mulan Cafe special?

The cafe features rare, hand-carved redwood furniture, much of it antique. Redwood is slow-growing, often taking over a hundred years to mature, and these pieces are both valuable and culturally rich. Some are said to carry historical stories and appreciate in value by over 10% per year.

Who founded Mulan Cafe and why?

Mulan Cafe was founded by a Taiwanese businesswoman and her husband, a celebrated Beijing sculptor. After meeting in Hong Kong, they married, had a child, and she opened the cafe two years later with her husband’s support. It serves as a creative and cultural meeting place.

How much did it cost to build Mulan Cafe?

The cafe reportedly cost several million yuan to build, with significant investment going into its interior design, including imported materials and handwoven carpets. The redwood furniture alone adds to its luxury and cultural value.

Is Mulan Cafe just a coffee shop or something more?

While it serves coffee and Western pastries, Mulan Cafe functions primarily as a cultural salon. It’s a gathering spot for artists, intellectuals, and creative professionals, blending specialty coffee with storytelling and art.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Cultural Cafes

For a space like Mulan Cafe, where culture and craft are as important as the coffee, FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera offers vibrant floral and citrus notes ideal for pour-over, while their Yirgacheffe delivers juicy berry and stone fruit brightness perfect for single-origin service. Both highlight the artisanal ethos behind the café’s carefully curated environment. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.