Dadaocheng | 大稻埕

By now, I've visited Dadaocheng 大稻埕, which is located in Taipei, a couple of times. I've decided to create a post in which I provide you the ultimate guide on the places you should cover when visiting Dadaocheng. Did you know that it was a flourishing trading port back in the day? This is why many shops and traditional stores were established in the area.

Let's go! 

First stop, Dihua Street 迪化街. As I visited during the Lunar New Year celebrations, the place was bustling with people. The streets were filled with lantern decorations to welcome the new year. During this time of the year, many people visit this particular street to catch up on their new year shopping. Many purchase dried fruits, traditional herbs, nuts, and more. 

Dihua Street is filled with traditional buildings with baroque architecture as well as traditional red architecture that, in many ways, defines Chinese culture. 

The entire street is great for photography as well as for hanging out with friends and family. 

Many traditional buildings have now been renovated into tiny cafes or hipster stores that sell all sorts of eclectic stuff such as pens, souvenirs, and even chilies.

If you're a fan of  枝仔冰城, a traditional ice cream shop from Cishan 旗山, make sure to check out their shop in Dadaocheng! I purchased their iconic banana ice cream. Haven't had it since I visited Cishan years ago! 

On Dihua Street itself, you'll spot the Xia Hai City God Temple 霞海城隍廟. The temple gets really crowded during new years, as many people come to pray to the god of love and marriage either to find a nice companion, or to pray to the god for a successful marriage after the couple has married.

For those looking for love, the temple offers an elaborate prayer procedure for those looking for a lover. They have to pray to the god and describe, in detail, what type of a person they are looking for. You can describe their outer appearance, personality, and more. The temple will provide you with a red string and a Love God amulet that worshippers will have to keep with them at all times until their wish has come true. 

The Dihua 207 museum 迪化二Ｏ七博物館 is also located on Dihua Street. Entrance is free for all, though note that during new years, there may be a line of people waiting outside to get in. The museum showcases different facets of Taiwan history and culture. For example, when I visited, there was an exhibition of how temple art and mosaic art is created in Taiwan. It was fascinating to see how the delicate artworks on the roof of the temple were created using the traditional methods. 

One another best feature of the Dihua Museum is its rooftop. You can visit the rooftop and get see a bird's eye view of Daadaocheng. There's a sense of awe as you stare at Dihua Street from above. 

Built in 1915, the Dihua Street Post Office 迪化街郵局 has more than 100 years of history. Interestingly, it still functions as a post office till this date! Apparently, Chiang Wei-shui 蔣渭水, a doctor turned political activist who fought again Japanese rule in Taiwan, used to come here often. 

With more than a hundred years of history, the New Cultural Movement Memorial Museum  臺灣新文化運動紀念館, used to house prisoners during the Japanese era and when the ROC government came to Taiwan. It was built by Japanese officials in 1933. Interestingly, the prison bars built by the Japanese almost 90 years ago, still stand today. After the ROC government came to Taiwan, it was turned into a police department.

The building has now been converted into a museum to honor Chiang Wei-shui. The exhibition on the first floor was really interesting. There was a fan-shaped detention room and a water dungeon that were built by the Japanese. Unfortunately, when I visited, the second floor wasn't open to visitors. Hopefully, next time. 

Click here to read more about my visit to the museum. 

The Cisheng Temple 大稻埕慈聖宮 was built in the 19th Century and is dedicated to the Goddess Matsu, the protector of the sea. The original temple was destroyed by the Japanese, after which the locals worked together and gathered enough money to build a new temple in 1916. From its exterior, the temple looks tiny, but as you enter and walk around, you'll find that its interior isn't like regular Taiwanese temples. You can walk around on both the left and right side to worship various gods. Keep in mind that it does get crowded during Lunar New Year.

Another interesting thing about this temple is that there a street food that sells local delicacies right outside the temple! You can purchase your favorite Taiwanese traditional meals and enjoy your while while hanging around outside the temple where there are tables. I noticed that many locals were eating hotpot and chatting with one another while enjoying the view of the temple.

The Renan Hospital 仁安醫院 used to be a hospital during the Japanese era. It was built in 1927 and has now been converted into a community center. Take note of its beautiful and grand architectural features.

How to get to Dadaocheng: You can take the Taipei Metro and get off at Shuanglian Station Exit 2. Walk along Mingsheng West Road for approximately 20 minutes to get to Dihua Street. 

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