【Taipei Day Tour】Let’s Stroll at Dadaocheng | Old Fashion is the New Trending

When it comes to Taipei, what’s the first to show up in your mind? For most people, Taipei is one of the prosperous cities in Asia, and it’s an urban jungle where Taipei 101 stands. But the most intriguing part of Taipei doesn’t lie in the cityscape of the dazzling modern metropolis. In recent years, it’s a new trending to dig out the old fashion. As the retro wave surging, the blocks and the streets which were bustling are now relive with innovation. If you come to Taipei, you may like a Taipei day tour to Dadaocheng.

The history of Dadaocheng

One hundred years ago, Dadaocheng is the most flourishing area in Taipei. In 1853, there was a battle between different group of immigrants in Mongka. The losers are forced to move to Dadaocheng.

In 1860, Tamsui officially became an international port. From late 19^th century to mid 20^th century, the development of Dadaocheng was thriving. Because of the locational advantage, Dadaocheng attracted people to start trading business and soon evolved into the economic center of Taipei. Tea, Chinese medicine, cloth, and dried foods. In 1885, the governors set up foreign consulates and set Dadaocheng as a foreign residence area.

The aliens brought in new cultures and rendered Dadaocheng with an exotic style, so you can see the buildings with baroque façade as well as traditional Hokkien townhouse. 

The most-visiting spot in Dadaocheng

Xiahai Chenghuang Temple

The main deity of the temple is Chenghuang God, who is in charge of guarding the city. However, most people come to this temple to pray to the love god, the old man under the moon. It’s said that a lot of people meet their true love after praying. There are numerous wedding cakes contributed by the newlyweds.

Grandma’s Kitchen

Grandma’s kitchen is a grocery selling bamboo products. From 1960’s to 1970’s, there was a brilliant era of bamboo industry. Though bamboo products are now replaced with plastics, grandma still insist on making bamboo made groceries with high quality. Grandma’s kitchen is somewhere you can find new inspiration for your home decoration.

Museum 207

The museum was a house built in 1962, and was turned into a museum in 2017. The building is located at the street corner, so the façade was shaped into curve to correspond to the urban context. The decoration represents the aesthetic of Taiwanese craftsmanship. If you come to visit this old belle, remember to look down at your feet. The floor is decorated with patterned grindstones. The exhibition of the museum shows the furniture and utensils of different time era. The view on the 3^rd floor is superb, you can have a cup of coffee and appreciate the street view and the old –fashioned vibe.

Sin-Hong-Choon

Sin Hong Choon was a tea shop built in 1934. It’s a commercial residential mix use building designed in the combination style of orient and western. The house is now renovated by Taipei City government and turned into a micro museum displaying the tea culture.

The Ten Townhouses

The history of these architecture can be traced back to Japanese colonized era (1895~1945). Originally the buildings were one-story housed. The government reorganized the block and had the new building constructed with red bricks. The townhouses belonged to the six famous clans which were famous of rice milling business. After the urban renewal, the local still keep the façade of red bricked arches to preserve the memory of old Taipei. Tourists can come here to stroll along the arcade and feel the vintage ambiance.