A Guide to Dihua Street in Dadaocheng, Taipei’s Oldest Street

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Dadaocheng (大稻埕) is undoubtedly one of Taipei’s most compelling neighborhoods and best places to explore on foot. While Wanhua, the historical Old City to the south, is a magnet for tourists, serious history, food & culture fans can’t miss Dadaocheng.

Twatutia, as Dadaocheng is pronounced in the Hokkien (Taiwanese) language, was once the second largest city in Taiwan after Tainan, the original capital in the south.

Most goods entered Taipei at Twatutia Wharf on the Tamsui (Danshui) River. Dihua Street, the area’s main thoroughfare and now considered Taipei’s oldest street, developed into a sprawling place of trade in tea, medicine, herbs, fabrics, and all manner of dried goods, as it remains today.

The area also features some of the most interesting temples, best traditional street foods, and most interesting cooking classes in Taipei.

Dried goods shop on Dihua Street, Dadaocheng. Exploring shops like this is one of the best things to do on Dihua Street
A typical dried goods shop on Dihua Street today

Thanks to the neighborhood’s rich and colorful history, a variety of architectural styles are preserved on and around Dihua Street, representing the different phases of its history. Traditional Fujian-style Qing Dynasty homes can be seen alongside Baroque revival and modernist styles favored by wealthy Japanese at the time of the Japanese colonial occupation.

What truly makes Dihua street special is that many of these 100+ year-old businesses are still in operation, while cute modern cafés, craft shops and clothing boutiques make practical use of gorgeously restored ancient edifices. The area’s unique museums, intriguing temples, and traditional eats are the finishing touches on this quintessential Taipei experience.

Be sure to also check out my articles on Ximending and Beitou Hot Spring, my other two favorite neighborhoods in Taipei, or Jiufen, which also features Japanese-era architecture and tea houses, and 40 other day trips from Taipei that you may enjoy.

Useful resources

– Find out whether the Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass will save you money on your Taipei visit.

– Learn how to plan your trip around Taiwan and read my recommended Taiwan itinerary.

– Get discounts and travel deals here on Klook

– Find out the best times to visit Taipei.

Exploring Dihua Street with MyProGuide

My professional tour guides, Effi and Sylvia of MyProGuide. Let them guide you to the best things to do in Dadaocheng!

I was invited to delve into the history and sights of Dihua Street on a customized tour by MyProGuide. While I’m going to briefly introduce the best things to do on Dihua street below, if you really want to dig deeper and get more information on each spot from a knowledgeable local, then I would highly recommend either their Dihua Street Walking Tour.

From the moment I was greeted by Sylvia, a professional licensed tour guide, and intern Effi, who arranged our day, I was taken aback by the depth of detail they were able to provide.

Since Dihua Street and Dadaocheng are quite big and there are SO MANY places to visit and stories behind them, I would recommend doing a little bit of research on your own first (like, ahem, reading this article!) This will help you to narrow it down and have a better idea of what you would like to see and do and make the best use of the limited time on your walking tour, as it would be impossible to see everything described in my article on one tour.

The company also offers walking tours of Longshan Temple and Ximending.

History of Dadaocheng

Bags of shallots and garlic on Dihua Jie (Dihua Street), Dadaocheng
Dihua Street remains a center of trading goods today.

Twatutia was an area of rice cultivation in the Qing Dynasty, and Twatutia means “large square for drying rice husks and grains.” Tea traders began setting up shop in the mid-19th century, with the first teashop opening in 1851. Twatutia lies to the north the old city of Taipei, Bangka (艋舺, also called Monga, or modern-day Wanhua District 萬華區), which was not yet the capital of Taiwan.

The British also became involved in the tea trade in Twatutia, and many more locals settled there after a conflict among settlers from different parts of China in Bangka.

Following the Treaty of Tianjin, the port of Tamsui at the mouth of the Tamsui River was open to trade with foreigners, with Taipei as the main place of trade. The influx of trade led to rapid development in Bangka.

However, the muddy shore at Bangka made it difficult for boats to dock, so Twatutia to the north soon became the city’s main dock, and Twatutia was prospering by the 1880s. The first train station in Taipei was built in Twatutia in 1891, shortly before Taipei officially became the capital of Taiwan in 1894.

Painting of Twatutia (Dihua Street) Taipei
Famous painting of South Street (南街), the southern portion of Dihua Street in its heyday, by Taiwanese painter Guo Xue-hu (郭雪湖)

During the Japanese colonial occupation of Taiwan (1895-1945), Taipei (referred to by the Japanese as Taihoku) remained as the capital, while Twatutia (Daitōtei), was considered an extension of the city. Twatutia was home to many foreigners, and had a population of 30-40,000. When the KMT arrived, they called the area Tataocheng or Dadaocheng.

Dihua Street was always and remains the main thoroughfare and central place of commerce in Dadaocheng. It runs south to north parallel to the Tamsui River. It is considered the oldest street in Taipei, with a few sections that date back to the period of Dutch rule in Taiwan (1624–1661), but mainly it was constructed from the 1850s.

The street was originally called Central Street (中街), with the southern and northern sections called South Street (南街) and North Street (北街), respectively. Interestingly, the KMT named it Dihua Jie after the original name of Ürümqi, the capital of Xinjiang province in China.

To learn about the oldest street in all of Taiwan, read my guide to Anping Old Street.

Dadaocheng & Dihua Street Orientation & Access

Beimen (North Gate), Taipei
Beimen, the North Gate of Old Taipei and southern entrance to Dadaocheng. (See what camera I use here!)

Dadaocheng is not an official district but a neighborhood within larger Datong District (大同區).

As such, there is no official border, but what most people consider to be Dadaocheng is bordered by the Tamsui River to the west, Minquan W. Road (民權西路) and the orange MRT lines to the North (with Daqiaotou MRT station providing access from the north), Chongqing North Road Sect. 2 (重慶北路二段) to the east, and Beimen (North Gate or 北門, the original northern entrance to Old Taipei) to the south.

Skinny temple in Dadaocheng, Taipei
A super skinny temple (財團法人台北市台疆樂善壇) in southern Dadaocheng

The traditional heart of Dadaocheng is much smaller though, and focused on the area nearest to the Dadaocheng Wharf (大稻埕碼頭). Dihua Street section 1 (迪化街一段) begins at the point where Nanjing W. Rd. (南京西路) briefly veers south before continuing west to the river.

Search for Mikkeller Taipei (米凱樂啤酒吧), a craft beer bar, to find the exact spot, and this is where we started our walking tour. You can walk there from Beimen MRT station on the gren line (10 minutes) or Zhongshan MRT station on the green or red line (15 minutes).

Find out how to include Dadaocheng in your visit by consulting my 2-day, 3-day, 4-day, and 5-day Taiwan itinerary!

 Fachukung Temple 法主公廟 in Dadaocheng, Taipei
Fachukung Temple (法主公廟), which straddles a road near the southern entrance to Dihua Street

Dihua Street section 1 runs north (parallel to the river) all the way to Minquan W. Rd., and it is worth walking it in its entirety. Beyond Minquan W. Rd. it becomes Dihua Street section 2, which I won’t cover in this article. There you can also find Yansan Night Market (延三夜市), while Ningxia Night Market (寧夏夜市), one of the most popular night markets in Taipei, is to be found just east of Dadaocheng.

Southeast of Dihua Street, Jiancheng Circle (建成圓環) was a large circular market dating to the Japanese colonial period that was closed in 2006 after two major fires, and is now a park. If you’re passing by, it’s worth stopping for a quick look at Ri Xing Foundry (日星鑄字行, No. 13, Lane 97, Taiyuan Road, 9:30-12, 1-6, closed Monday and Tuesday), the only remaining type foundry in Taiwan.

Ri Xing Foundy, Dadaocheng
Ri Xing Foundry, the last remaining traditional character type foundry in Taipei

Where to Stay in Dadaocheng

If you are planning your Taipei trip and wondering where to stay in Taipei, Dadaocheng hotels and Dihua Street hotels are fine choices in the center of it all! Not only can you have access to Dihua Street, Ningxia Night Market, Beimen, Taipei Main Station, and more, but some of these hotels are housed in beautiful historic buildings with a vintage atmosphere. Here are my recommendations.

Budget

We Come Hostel Great location between Taipei Main, Beimen, Ningxia, few steps from start to Dihua Street. Highlyrated, dorms or doubles. (see on Agoda / Booking / TripAdvisor)

Jian Shan Hotel Cute vintage style rooms with cement and red brick, historical atmosphere, decent prices for doubles practically hostel price, on Guisui street a few steps from Dihua. (see on Agoda / Booking / TripAdvisor )

Mid-Range

OrigInn Space Housed in a historic building owned by Lin family at entrance to Dihua street, nostalgic atmosphere, every room decorated with vintage items. (see on Agoda / Booking / TripAdvisor )

The Door Inn Minimalist style, white & gray, some rooms with balconies offering views over Dadaocheng, northern end of Dihua Street (see on Agoda / Booking / TripAdvisor )

Luxury

Palais de Chine Hotel One of Taipei’s finest hotels and home to the only Michelin 3-star restaurant in the city, Palais de Chine is within walking distance of Dihua Street (see on Agoda / Booking / TripAdvisor )

Dihua Street during Lunar New Year

Dihua Street at Chinese New Year

If you want to see Dihua Street at its most lively (and crowded!) then come in the weeks leading up to Lunar New Year, which usually takes place in late January or February in Taipei. At this time, half of Taipei’s residents seem to flock there to purchase goods for the holiday, such as dried treats, mullet roe, and Lunar New Year decorations.

The road becomes incredibly crowded, especially on weekends, and most shops set up additional stalls and hand out free samples in front of their businesses at this time. As this is the peak of winter in Taiwan, there are lots of tummy warming foods on offer and warmth produced by the crowds.

Dihua Street Walking Tour

The following are the best things to do on Dihua Street roughly in order from the start of Dihua Street and heading north. I saw some on my walking tour with MyProGuide, and others another day on my own; don’t try to do all of this in one day!

Dadaocheng Tourist Information Center

Rent clothing at Dadaocheng Visitor's Center on Dihua Street
Traditional clothing you can rent for free at Dadaocheng Visitor’s Center

For information and a great English map of the area, start your Dihua Street tour at the the tourism bureau-run Dadaocheng Visitor Center (大稻埕遊客中心, #44 Dihua St.), which is across from the large Yongle Market.

Check the maps here, ask for info, or even rent a traditional qipao for free for taking photos on Dihua Street. These are very popular, so you need to book it online in advance. Find out how in my guide to renting qipaos and kimonos in Taiwan.

A.S. Watson & Co. Building

ASW Building, Dihua Street, Dadaocheng

ASW is a 100+ year-old building at the corner of Dihua Street and Lane 32. The building once housed Taiwan’s first Western pharmacy, A.S. Watson and Co., but is now home to several cute craft & souvenir shops, a café, and a bookstore.

ArtYard1 (listed as Small Arts Courtyard 小藝埕 on GoogleMaps, #34 Dihua Street) is run by ArtYard, a project devoted to breathing new life into numerous buildings in the Dihua Street Area. You will notice several other ArtYard establishments on the Dadaocheng map.

Breakfast on Dihua Street at ASW Tea Hosue
British tea & scones at ASW Tea House

On the second floor, ASW Tea House (9 AM to 6 PM) is an elegant, British-themed tea shop. They do all-day breakfasts, but I went for the Tea Set, which includes a pot of Ceylon tea (which can be upgraded to a variety of select Taiwanese teas), butter scone with cream cheese, and snowball cookies (NT340). The cute window-side tables have a great view down on Dihua Street.

In the evening, the tea house becomes Watson’s Bar (7:30 PM to 12:30 AM, closed Monday and Tuesday) and features a selection of whiskeys and local craft beers from 55 Street Craft Beer.

Planning a trip to Taiwan? Find great discounts and deals on a variety of travel related activities on Klook. Sign up now with this link and get an NTD100 discount on your first activity!

Yongle Market

Yongle Fabric Market, Dihua Street, Taipei
Taiwan’s largest fabric market

Yongle Fabric Market (永樂布業商場, #1 Minle St.) is a Dihua Street institution. Dating to the Japanese colonial area, the fabric market remains the largest in Taiwan. But there’s more than just fabric to see here.

The first floor of Yongle Market houses a small wet market. At the entrance, people line up to purchase oil rice (you fan or 油飯), which parents customarily give away to family and friends to celebrate their child’s one-month birthday. Inside, there are several sushi bars, including one with a good range of craft beers.

For another interesting historic food market in Taiwan, check out Taichung Second Market on my list of things to do in Taichung.

Oil Rice, Yongle Market, Dihua Street
Oil Rice ready for purchase in Yongle Market

The second floor is the actual fabric market, while the third floor is where people can take their fabric to be tailored. The 8th floor houses cultural exhibitions (currently there is one on traditional Taiwanese puppet theater), while Dadaocheng Theater can be found on the 9th floor.

Fish stew from one of the best restaurants on Dihua Street
Fried mackerel strew, a Tainan-specialty

On the south side of Yongle Market (on Minle street 民樂街), there is a collection of tasty, local eateries. Yongle Tainan Fried-Spanish Mackerel Thick Soup (永樂台南土魠魚羹) serves a specialty common at night markets in Tainan that I love: thick stew with breaded, deep fried mackerel strips. Next door, Minle Swordfish Rice Noodle Soup (民樂旗魚米粉) is another popular option.

At the front of Yongle Market, watch for Yanji Xingren Lu (顏記杏仁露), which specializes in traditional almond and shaved ice desserts. For vegetarians, watch for the Buddhist swastika denoting a vegetarian lunchbox shop on the north side of Yongle Market – it’s here on GoogleMaps.

Yao De Herb Shop, Dadaocheng
Interesting herbal drinks at Yao De Herb Shop

On the backside of the Yongle Market, Yao De Herb Shop (姚德和青草號, #55, Minle St) is a photogenic Chinese herb shop dating to 1946. I found the chilled aloe vera tea (蘆薈茶) tasty and refreshing. They also serve perotis tea (茅根茶), bitter herbal tea (苦茶), and Taiwanese herbal tea (青草茶). There’s a similar business next door, but with a less beautiful shop.

Wang Tea (Youji Ming Cha)

Wang Tea, Dadaocheng, Taipei
Roasting tea leaves in the traditional manner over charcoals at Wang Tea

A few blocks east of Yao De Herb Shop, Wang Tea (有記名茶, No. 26號, Lane 64, Section 2, Chongqing North Road, 9 AM to 7 PM, closed Sunday) is one of the most popular stops for Dihua Street Walking tours and visiting tourists interested in Taiwanese teas. And for good reason. This is the only tea manufacturer in Taipei where tea is roasted in the traditional manner, in baskets above hot coals, and you can even have a look at the roasting room at the back.

The tea shop dates to 1890, when the current owners’ great grandfather established it in Xiamen, China. He came to Taiwan in 1935 and establishing the current shop in 1949. They are known for their Baozhong and High Mountain oolongs, but sell several others at various price/quality points.

The tea shop faces Chaoyang Tea Park (朝陽茶葉公園), with several other tea shops around it.

See the end of this article for two more teas hops that I strongly recommend in the area, and learn more in my complete introduction to Taiwanese teas.

Xiahai City God Temple

Xiahai City God Temple on the Xiahai City God's birthday
Carved watermelons for the Xiahai City God’s birthday celebration.

Dadaocheng’s most famous temple is Xiahai City God Temple (霞海城隍廟, #61, Dihua Street). You may be surprised at how small the temple is, but what it lacks in sizes it makes up for in importance to the local people. The temple houses the Xia Hai Cheng Huang God (霞海城隍爺), which was brought over from Xia Cheng, Tong An County, Fujian province, China.

The statue was originally housed in Bangka, but moved to Dadaocheng following conflicts among people there. The city god is thought to protect the city, among other things, and there are numerous temples devoted to him in Taiwan and China.

The Xiahai City God’s birthday (the 14th day on the 5th month of the lunar calendar, usually around June in Taipei) is celebrated with a boisterous parade around the neighborhood, and is one of the most important temple festivals in Taipei.

See my guide to what is probably the noisiest and most dangerous festival in Taiwan, the Yanshui Fireworks Festival.

Xiahai City God birthday celebration in Dadaocheng, Taipei
Parade in Dadaocheng for Xiahai City God’s birthday.

Interestingly, the reason many Taiwanese people come to Xiahai City God Temple these days is to pray for success in their romantic lives. In the last 20 years, the god of love, Yue Xia Lao Ren (月下老人), or simply Yue Lao (月老), who actually comes from a novel, has come to be associated with the temple.

To improve your love life, follow the below 13 steps, which are further explained in Mandarin here with photos.

Ghost money, Xiahai Cheng Huang City God Temple, Taipei
Joss paper and incense used to pray for love at Xiahai City God Temple

1. Enter the door on the right and make a donation for a bundle of joss paper and three sticks of incense.
2. Go to the counter in the main shrine room and exchange the joss paper for a pack of offerings, including a lucky bracelet and paper, candy, and cake (first-time visitors only). They will give you a number to reclaim your joss paper later.
3. Light the three sticks of incense over the candles and carry them with you for the following steps.
4. Go to the incense cauldron outside and introduce yourself to the Emperor of Heaven (天公).
5. Return to the counter and get your joss paper back. Go to the main shrine and introduce yourself to Cheng Huang and Yue Lao. Tell them who your Mr. of Mrs. Right is. Don’t forget to promise them something in return after your love succeeds (locals bring a box of treats from their wedding for them).

Yue Lao (Yue Xia Lao Ren), Xia Hai City God Temple
Yue Lao, the God of Love, at the front, with other followers of Cheng Huang (the Xiahai City God) behind him

6. Go to the room on the right and pray to 義勇公 (the tiger figure) for safety.
7. Pray to Cheng Huang’s wife (城隍夫人) for happiness, family.
8. Pray to Pusa (菩薩) for serenity and wisdom.
9. Return outside and place your incense in the cauldron.
10. Eat the cake with some “blessed tea” found outside.
11. Give the candy back to the counter for good karma.
12. Turn the red paper and string over the smoke from the incense in the cauldron 3 times, then keep it on you in the future (most put it in their wallet, while some people wear the string as a bracelet, if they aren’t embarrassed for others to know).
13. Leave your joss paper in the bin or on the offering table. The temple will burn it elsewhere on your behalf.

Central Dihua Street

Center of Dihua Street, Taipei
A rainy day on Dihua Street

Next, head west down lane 72, directly across from Xiahai City God Temple. At the end of the lane, on Xining North Rd., you’ll see Nadou Theater (納豆劇場), which stages traditional Taiwanese puppet theater performances.

Nadou Theater, Taipei
Nadao Theater, where Taiwanese puppet shows are performed

It may be tough to catch a show, but the Taiyuan Asian Puppet Theater Museum (台原亞洲偶戲博物館, #79-1, Xining North Road, NT80) next door is open 10 AM to 5 PM (closed Monday) and is the best place in Taipei to learn about this curious performance art form.

The museum houses exhibits on not only Taiwanese puppet theater but other versions from around Asia. Note that the Taiyuan Puppet Theater closed for renovations in 2019 and hasn’t reopened yet. Check GoogleMaps to see if it has reopened when you go.

To learn more about Taiwanese puppet theater, see this article I wrote for Travel in Taiwan magazine introducing the Puppet Theater Museum in Huwei, Yunlin, the puppet theater capital of Taiwan.

Taiyuan Asian Puppet Theater Museum, Dadaocheng, Taipei
Taiyuan Asian Puppet Theater Museum

One block closer to the river, Chen Tian-lai Residence (陳天來故居, formerly Jin Ji Tea House or錦記茶行), is the baroque-style former residence of a tea tycoon, and worth a quick look for architecture fans.

A few steps north to the point where Minsheng W. Rd. (民生西路) meets the river, you can take Evacuation Gate #5 (淡五號水門) to reach Dadaocheng Pier (大稻埕碼頭), with access to the riverside path, ferries bound for Tamsui, and a number of little temples. This is where all the goods traded in Dadaocheng once came in and left the city, and the place that is essentially the reason why Dadaocheng grew into what it is.

Dadaocheng Pier 5
Food and drink stalls at Dadaocheng Pier 5

Come here for in the evening for the relatively new collection of food and booze stalls called Dadaocheng Pier 5; it’s a popular place for a sundowner. This is also the site of the popular Dadaocheng Fireworks Festival, which usually takes place in early August.

To see a few more historical sights, follow Minsheng W. Rd. east all the way past Dihua Street and Yanping N. Rd. (延平北路), to have a look at Xing Hua Ge Alcohol House (杏花閣大酒家) on the north side of the road, a last-of-its-kind institution where customers enjoy banquet meals and can pay extra for the company of women.

Xinghuage Taipei
Xinghuage Alcohol House, an aging Dadaocheng Institution

Facing it on the south side of the road are two identically named Bolero restaurants, who both claim to be the oldest continually operating Western restaurants in Taipei. In their heyday, parents brought their daughters here to meet prospective husbands, and the young women could indirectly decline by ordering nothing but a drink. Come here for a Taiwanese retro eating experience.

A few steps further down, on the north side of the road, Sin Hong Choon (新芳春茶行, #309, Minquan W. Rd.), formerly Guji Tea Factory or 古蹟製茶廠, #309, Minsheng W. Rd.) is a baroque building dating to 1934 that was once the area’s largest tea manufacturer, and is sometimes open to the public.

Chen Wey Tea House, Dihua Street
Boxes of tea at Chen Wey (Zhen Wei) Tea House

Back on Dihua Street, the section between Minsheng W. Rd. and Guisui St. (歸綏街) is stuffed with traditional herb shops. You can also expect to spot controversial items such as bird’s nests, shark fins, deer antlers, and more, such as in the photo below.

Dixie Lane (迪士巷咖啡, #117 Dihua St.) is a very cool jazz-focused cafe that sometimes has live jazz performances.

Chen Wey Tea House (臻味茶苑, #156, Dihua St.) is a particularly lovely little tea shop housed in an ancient residence. The tea leaves on offer are a little pricey but of exceptional quality, and free samples are offered.

If you take Guisui St. to the intersection of Yanping N. road, you can find a collection of shops and stalls selling traditional incense.

Northern Dihua Street

Chinese medicine shop on Dihua Street
Chinese medicine shop

Venturing north of Guisui Street, Dihua street becomes a little quieter and feels less touristy, but the buildings and the business they contain are equally atmospheric. Many of the cafés, tea houses, restaurants, clothing shops, and dry goods businesses open into arresting, leafy internal courtyards.

At Taiwan Cooking 101 School (大稻埕台灣料理研習所, Dihua St. #221, 10 Am to 6 PM, closed Wednesdays), you can learn how to make all kinds of traditional Taiwanese food, including oyster omelets, bubble tea, beef noodles, or soup dumplings. You can sign up for one of the cooking courses here.

Right next to the cooking school, Ho Hsing 1947 (合興壹玖肆柒) is a famous traditional pastry shop that does a variety of steamed breads.

AMA Museum, Dihua Street, Taipei
59 lights honoring the 59 “comfort women” who came forward with their stories for the AMA Museum

At the far northern end of Dihua street section 1, just before it reaches Minquan W. Rd, Lao Mian Cheng Lantern Shop (#298 Dihua Street) is the best place in Taipei to buy traditional handmade and embroidered lanterns.

Right next to it, Yehjinfa Rice Story Museum (葉晋發商號 Yehjinfa 1923, 1-6 PM, 10 AM to 6 PM weekends, closed Tuesday) is a small rice museum which also sells some local products. Further down the street Rice & Shine (稻舍URS329, 12-3 and 5:30 to 9 PM, closed Mondays) sells traditional meals in a historic Dihua street setting.

Nearby, Lee Cake (李亭香餅店, #309, Dihua St., 9 AM to 8 PM) is one of the oldest continuously running traditional pastry shops in Taipei, which I learned about in the book A Culinary History of Taipei: Beyond Pork and Ponlai.

AMA Museum (阿嬤家-和平與女性人權館), once located on Dihua Street, has moved to a new location here. It is a small but meaningful museum devoted to the “comfort women,” Taiwanese women used as pleasure slaves of the Japanese military during the colonial occupation of Taiwan.

See another fascinating small museum in New Taipei City: the Museum of World Religions.

Oriental Cuisine Guizhou (Qing Xai Lai restaurant), Dihua Street, Taipei
Amazing stir fry with potatoes at Oriental Cuisine Guizhou

Last but not least, Oriental Cuisine Guizhou (Qing Tian Xai or 東方饌黔天下貴州主題餐廳, #358-2, Dihua St, 11:30-2:30, 5:30-9:30) is one of my favorites in Taipei and one of the best restaurants on Dihua Street, serving up authentic dishes from Guizhou province in Southwest China in a modern setting.

Guizhou is known for its spicy-sour cuisine and pickled vegetables (醃菜), and some local foodie friends of mine once even preordered a whole chicken slow cooked for over 24 hours in a traditional clay plot for our visit (note: I don’t eat meat).

This is the furthest north we will go. The below sights are to the east of Dihua Street.

Starbucks Bao An Datong

Starbucks Bao An Datong, probablythe most beautiful Starbucks in Taipei
Modern stands atop ancient

It may seem strange to include a Starbucks on a Dihua Street walking tour, but this one is particularly gorgeous. Listed on GoogleMaps as Starbucks Reserve (星巴克典藏咖啡 保安門市, #11 Bao An Street), this may just be the most beautiful Starbucks in Taipei.

According to Sylvia, my MyProGuide guide, the building is a gorgeous example of a compromise between construction companies and those wanting to preserve old buildings: The bottom three floors (now occupied by Starbucks) preserve the original red brick building, while a modern building housing Taipei City Hotel 台北城大飯店 (see on Booking / TripAdvisor) sits on top. You barely even notice the tall building on top from street level.

The original building was constructed in 1929 by Yeh Jin-Tu (葉金塗) of the famous Yeh family. Starting out in seafood, the company Jin Tai Heng Shang (金泰亨商) made a fortune on canned pineapple and came to be known as the “Pineapple King” (鳳梨王) of Taiwan. Note the pineapples paying homage on the building’s exterior.

The interior of the Starbucks is gorgeously designed as well, and the views looking out past the exterior’s columns are majestic.

Dadaocheng Presbyterian Church

Dadaocheng Presbyterian Church (Ta Tao Cheng Presbyterian Church)

Around the corner from Starbucks, the Dadaocheng Presbyterian Church (“Ta Tao Cheng Presbyterian Church” on GoogleMaps, 台灣基督長老教會大稻埕教會, #40, Ganzhou Street) has an interesting story, also shared with me by Sylvia. When the Taipei City Government’s bureau of cultural affairs made an attempt to have the beautiful old church designated as a historical structure to ensure its preservation, the owners tore it down within days, not wanting the restrictions that come with official designation.

The church sued the government and vice versa, and the church won in the end. They later rebuilt a similar church on the same spot, with a surprisingly large addition behind it.

Dadaocheng Cisheng Temple

Dadaocheng Cisheng Temple, Taipei

Another Dadaocheng Institution is Cisheng Temple (大稻埕慈聖宮天上聖母, #17, Lane 49, Bao An Street), sometimes referred to as the Dadaocheng Matsu Temple. What makes this temple special and unique is not so much the structure itself, which has been moved in the past from a different location, but the collection of 40+ food stalls in its forecourt.

Here locals gather for breakfast or lunch to be enjoyed under two large banyan trees in front of the temple. In the past it was primarily (male) laborers and taxi drivers who dined here, but now all manner of people come for the traditional food and experience.

Lin Mao Sen and Lin Huai Tai Tea Shops

Teas at Lin Mao Sen Taipei
Various teas on offer at Lin Mao Sen Tea Shop

Owned by two competing brothers, Lin Mao Sen Tea Co. (林茂森茶行, #195-3, Section 2, Chongqing North Road, 8:30 AM to 9 PM) and Lin Huai Tea (林華泰茶行, #193, Section 2, Chongqing North Road, 7:30 AM to 9 PM), are my two top recommendations for buying tea in Taipei. They are next door to each other at the northeastern fringe of Dadaocheng.

Lin Mao Sen has a fancier shop, but both sell a very similar range of bulk Taiwanese teas, with similar price/quality levels, covering all the main popular Taiwanese varieties, with a minimum purchase of ¼ jin (斤, a traditional Chinese measurement), or 150g.

The workers in both shops speak English and can help you find what you need. These are my go-to shops for buying high quality, locally produced Taiwanese teas at a decent price, just don’t expect fancy boxes or packaging.

So that sums up my suggested Dihua Street walking tour! I hope you’ve found some useful information here. If you find something has changed, or feel I missed something great, please let me know in the comments below!

Disclosure: This article was written in cooperation with MyProGuide tours.

16 thoughts on “A Guide to Dihua Street in Dadaocheng, Taipei’s Oldest Street”

  1. Raymond,
    Very interesting post my friend. I haven’t been to Taiwan since 1976. That was my last buying trip with Six Flags. Did you visit the National Palace Museum where all the artifacts are that were smuggled out by Chiang kai-shek before they were invaded in China? I spent an entire day taking photos, etc and probably could have spent an entire week! What a collection of various and valuable art.

    Funny I also visited a taylor, just like others in my group and had 3 suits made. One was suede (remember we were all hippies at heart back then). I aslo bought several jewels that were made into rings in Hong Kong on this trip. The suits were ready in 24 hours and my rings actually took about a day and a half and the Gold was of inferior quality. Your post brought back so many memories for this old man. Thank you kindly from the bottom of my heart!
    Mike

    Reply
    • Hi Raymond,
      I’m really glad to hear my post brought back some memories for you! Taipei must have been an incredibly different place in 1976. It’s hard for me to even imagine, though I’ve seen photos. Yes, I’ve been to the National Palace Museum a few times. Recently they had a really interesting exhibit in which they animated traditional Chinese scrolls on digital screen, so all the little characters on them came alive and were shuffling around. Really cool stuff. Thanks again for reading!

      Reply
  2. Hi Nick,
    I lived in Taipei for a few years 20+years ago, and can’t help going back to visit every few years…it’s the kind of place that definitely gets under one’s skin the more you get to know it!
    Thanks so much for your awesome posts – I am visiting again later this year and reading your suggested itineraries has made me even more excited to go back and rediscover parts of the city!
    I have found every time I go back things have changed and I think it just keeps getting better and better!

    Reply
    • Thank you Julie! I’ve been here for 12 years and it has changed a lot; I can’t even imagine 20+ years ago! Enjoy your next visit!

      Reply
  3. Hi there! Very insightful post 🙂 How long does this walking tour take, assuming one doesnt rush through the sights and sounds? Thanks!

    Reply
    • I would say you could budget about two hours for it if you walk quickly, or make that 3 hours+ if you stop for lunch, shopping, or any of the little museums

      Reply
  4. Hi Nick,
    Thanks so much for this Great website! I have literally spent hours reading, and copy pasting, your info to follow on our trip to Taiwan a couple of weeks from now, from very chilly Calgary. I’ve also learned about and checked Klook, withlocals and Fun Pass, Easy card etc etc. Thanks for the info on the closure of the puppet theatre, the 2 day suggested itinerary, walking tours of Di Hua Street, Ximending and Beitou Hot Springs and so many restaurant and food suggestions! I’m sure there is more because I haven’t finished reading everything I want to on your site yet. So many tips!! Thank you! Thank you!
    Rhonda

    Reply
    • Hey Rhonda, thanks so much for the positive feedback, I’m really glad my site helped with your planning! And I’m writing to you know from Edmonton, so I feel your pain ha ha! -Nick

      Reply
  5. Hi Nick,
    What a GREAT website you’ve created!! Your thoroughness is so appreciated!! I’ve read most of the info you’ve written about Taipei & I’m trying to incorporate your 2 or 3 day itineraries to get in the most we can in a short time. My husband & I will be stopping in Taipei at the end of March on our way to Myanmar for a dive trip. We have the option of being there either 2-1/2 or 3-1/2 days. We’re not big on museums & we’ve seen our share of temples, that said we’d enjoy seeing them on our way to other things that would give us a taste of the Taiwanese culture. What would you do if you had to choose 4-6 things each day including meals? I’d so appreciate your input

    Reply
    • Hi Mindy, thanks for your kind comments!
      Considering what you said, I’d recommend the following:
      Day 1: I’d recommending visiting Beitou, Guandu temple, and Danshui (Tamsui), as recommended in my itineraries, but minus the stop at National Palace Museum. These gives you a great combination of nature & culture, Beitou being historically significant, with some really cool old Japanese buildings, hot springs, and so on. I’d recommend having hot spring ramen at one of the two shop noodle shops there (all the details in my Beitou article). Depending on timing, you could eat dinner on the Tamsui riverside promenade, or hot Shilin Night Market (the biggest and most famous one) on your way back to to town.
      Day 2: You could start with exploring historic Dadaocheng (see this article), then walk or hop on the MRT to trendy Ximending (lots of great lunch options there, just window shop to decide!), followed by Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall and Longshan Temple (you said you don’t care too much about temples, but it’s an easy add on, and the city’s most important). For dinner you could try one of the smaller night markets if you haven’t had enough of night markets yet.
      If you added a third day, I would say definitely try to do a day trip from the city. It’s hard to recommend just one or two because there are so many possibilities; I’ve chosen 40 ideas in my Taipei Day trips article.
      For breakfasts you can’t go wrong with Taiwanese breakfast shops; they are everywhere (just walk down any residential street and you’ll find one) and they all have similar menus. I hope this helps, but let me know if you have any more specific questions, and feel free to join my “Taiwan Travel Planning” group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TaiwanTravelPlanning/

      Reply
  6. This, by far, is the best and most comprehensive article that I have ever read as an intro to a must-see visitor experience. Having traveled to Taipei for about 40 years and having visited Dihua Street, you have hit every note precisely in this well written piece. Whether for first-time visitors or long-time residents, this is truly a must-see experience and you have done great justice in describing it.

    Thanks!

    Reply

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