After the Treaty of Tianjin opened up Taiwan as a trading post, Anping Harbor became a gathering spot for foreign tradesmen. British Tate & Co. was one of the five biggest trading companies functioning in this region. These companies all ceased operations one by one as they were increasingly hindered from doing business under colonial Japanese rule. The Tate & Co. building was once used as the office of Tainan Salt Field, and was later made into a wax-work museum. The warehouse of the company has become the renowned Anping Treehouse.