TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A popular tourist hotspot in Tainan, Anping Tree House, is in the spotlight for a spelling mistake. "Tree house" was erroneously spelled as "tree mouse" on the signposts, creating confusion for visitors. The gaffe was brought to light on Sunday (March 17) by Tainan City Councilor Lee Chi-wei, who criticized the oversight in a Facebook post.
Councilor Lee expressed concern about the mishap. He harked back to the times when former President Chen Shui-bian pushed for the development of Anping Harbor Historic Park, transforming the natural environment into a tree house. This move significantly increased the tourist footfall, making it a popular Instagrammable spot today.
Lee believes the spelling error would have been avoided if basic proficiency in English had been ensured. He further stressed the importance of learning Romanized phonetics to facilitate seamless international interactions.
Constructed during the late 19th century and early Japanese rule, the Anping Tree House is revered and unique for its architectural brilliance. Over a century, the warehouse walls have become enveloped by intertwined aerial roots of the banyan tree, mimicking the rooftop structure. Councilor Lee and the local residents believe that amending such errors will help Taiwan better align with international standards and diminish confusion among international tourists.