Travel in Taipei! Welcome to Dadaocheng
Welcome to Dadaocheng
In late 1880s, Dadaocheng started to prosper in light of the opening of Tamsui Harbor. It has since become the keystone of economic and cultural development. In Dadaocheng, you will see extravagant Baroque architecture, traditional Hokkien bungalows and brilliant red-brick western houses. Historical buildings, traditional folklore center, tea houses, fabric stores, Chinese pharmacy and local eateries alike are rich in history. A new everyday-aesthetics derives in the vintage neighborhoods of Dadaocheng where century-old stores meet with contemporary innovation.
For explorers looking for the cultural essence of Taipei, you can stroll in Dihua Street or try some local cuisines from the vendors in front of Tze Sheng Temple. You can also roam in the alleys where various select shops of distinctive features await your visit, or enjoy a cup of coffee and a moment of serenity in elegant street houses. In short, Dadaocheng is definitely the place to visit if you want to experience the traditional lifestyle of Taipei!
Historical Attractions
Tea takes up a crucial part in the history of Dadaocheng. Several tea companies that were indispensable to the tea development at that time include “Jin-Ji Tea Company” on Guide Street, “Sin Hong Choon Tea Company” on Minsheng West Road, “Nanxing Tea Shop” which is today’s Chuan Hsiang Tea Shop on Xining North Road and Wang Tea on Chongqing North Road.
Address : Ganzhou St., Datong Dist., Taipei City
Dadaocheng was where Taiwanese tea embarked on a worldwide journey of ascending fame. For over a century, Wang Tea has been offering renowned Taiwanese tea from different regions that is strictly selected and roasted. Its traditional business mindset is to pass down the essence of tea culture by offering high-class but inexpensive tea that adheres to the policy of honesty.
Address : No.26, Ln. 64, Sec. 2, Chongqing N. Rd., Datong Dist., Taipei City
Phone Number : +886-2-2555-9164
The Historic Residence of Chen Tien-Lai was formerly home to “Jin-Ji Tea Company”. It is a three-story Baroque style architecture built in 1920. Its European-style exterior looks impressive and romantic with exquisite designs like hanging flowers, brackets, classical columns and arches.
Address : No.73, Guide St., Datong Dist., Taipei City
Phone Number : +886-2-7705-2399
The renowned wealthy merchant Lee Chun-sheng of Dadaocheng was a legendary figure who became rich as a comprador for foreign companies. This two-story building sits in an area used to be home to foreigners in the late Qing Dynasty. The area was also the most prosperous street block in Dadaocheng where merchants and foreign companies gathered.
Address : No.44, Guide St., Datong Dist., Taipei City
Phone Number : +886-2-2558-0753
Bangka was the first Harbor in Taipei. After Dingxiajiao Conflict in 1853, Hokkien Tong’an people were casted out of Bangka by Hokkien Sanyi people and ended up settling down in Dadaocheng. Dadaocheng then prospered and became the major trade wharf. The wall design of the Chinese shophouses resemble western style architectures. The iconic scene of congregated shophouses in the old times is preserved.
Address : No.274, Sec. 1, Dihua St., Datong Dist., Taipei City
Phone Number : +886-2-2720-8889
Historical Temples
Built in 1856 (6th year of the Xianfeng reign in Qing dynasty), Taipei Xia-Hai City God Temple is a renowned religious center that takes up an area of 149 square meters where you can always see an endless stream of pilgrims. Other than City God, the Matchmaker, deity of love and marriage is definitely the most visited deity by tourists. More than 6,000 couples came with tributes to return the Matchmake’s favor each year. The most wanted item here is the Yu Fu Shoes (husband-harnessing shoes). It is a renowned love amulet in Taipei City which is also refer to as the shoes of happiness.
Address : No.61, Sec. 1, Dihua St., Datong Dist., Taipei City
Phone Number : +886-2-2558-0346
Dadaocheng Cisheng Temple is generally known as the Dadaocheng Matsu Temple dedicated to the Heaven Holy Mother, i.e. Matsu or Tianhou (Empress of Heaven), the patron of seafarers. Taipei Xia-Hai City God Temple, Fazhugong Temple, and Cisheng Temple collectively are referred to as the three main temples in Dadaocheng. A number of local cuisines can be found at the entry of the temple.
Address : No.17, Ln. 49, Bao’an St., Datong Dist., Taipei City
Phone Number : +886-2-2553-9978
Each year, Dalongdong Bao'an Temple holds a two-month festival to celebrate the birthday of Baosheng Emperor on 15th day of the Lunar month. The festival consists of several elements including religious worship, folk art and traditional crafts, historical site guiding, family-organized opera performances, pilgrimage and the fire-walking event of Baosheng Cultural Festival. It is the largest and most celebrated religious festival in Northern Taiwan.
Address : No.61, Hami St., Datong Dist., Taipei City
Phone Number : +886-2-2595-1676
Constructed in 1927, the Confucius Temple locates on Dalongdong Old Street. It is a ceremonial venue, a symbol of Confucianism and also a municipal historical monument.
Address : No.275, Dalong St., Datong Dist., Taipei City
Phone Number : +886-2-2592-3934
Linji Huguo Chan Buddhist TempleLinji Huguo Chan Buddhist Temple was built in the Japanese colonial period. Its mountain gate and grand hall are both typical temple architecture of the Japanese Edo period. In 1998, Linji Huguo Chan Buddhist Temple was designated as the municipal historical monument for its historical, cultural and artistic value.
Address : No.9, Yumen St., Zhongshan Dist., Taipei City
Phone Number : +886-2-2594-8308
Shops of Distinctive Features
The history of Lao Mian Cheng Lantern Shop dates back to nearly a century ago. Having witnessed the Sino-Japanese War and the Chinese Civil War, the shop transformed its business from originally selling spirited money (money burned as offerings) to lantern business. It is an indispensable shop on Dihua Street especially during the Chinese New Year Holidays and cloth-dealer events.
Address : No.298, Sec. 1, Dihua St., Datong Dist., Taipei City
Phone Number : +886-2-2557-8856
Fleish CaféFleish Café features local tea, meals, desserts symbolizing the matchmaker culture and alcoholic beverages. Retrospective Taiwanese songs are playing all the time. There is a showroom full of Taiwanese cultural and creative products where you can buy unique Taiwanese souvenirs.
Address : No.76, Sec. 1, Dihua St., Datong Dist., Taipei City
Phone Number : +886-2-2556-2526
Bolero was a matchmaking hub symbolic of the trendiness in a bygone era. Opened in 1934, it is not only a historical western-style restaurant that serves fine dishes but also a cultural center with great ambience.
Address : No.314, Minsheng W. Rd., Datong Dist., Taipei City
Phone Number : +886-2-2555-0521
ArtyardArtyard is located on Dihua Street beside Xia-Hai City God Temple. It is a century-old three-entry shophouse featuring folk art and traditional crafts where traditional culture and creative artists integrate.
Address : No.67, Sec. 1, Dihua St., Datong Dist., Taipei City
Phone Number : +886-2-2552-1367
Special Attractions
It was a garden until 1908 and was reconstructed as a marketplace during the Japanese colonial period. It became the largest fabric market in Taiwan where nearly a thousand fabric shops gathered. Dadaocheng is the cradle that nurtured traditional Chinese opera, also known as the hub of theater.
Address : 8、9F., No.21, Sec. 1, Dihua St., Datong Dist., Taipei City
Phone Number : +886-2-2556-9101
Dadaocheng used to be home to the Pingpu Tribe. Many of the Pingpu people moved to settle in Dadaocheng due to the severe conflict of Tong’an people in Bangka. Shops and houses were built on the riverbank of Tamsui River in Dadaocheng. In light of the opening of Tamsui Harbor, Dadaocheng became the most prosperous center of merchandise in Taipei City under the governance of Liu Ming-chuan.
Address : Dadaocheng Wharf ., Datong Dist., Taipei City
