Dadaocheng Area_Dihua Street Shops

In the past, there was no levee along the Tamsui River, so Guide Street directly faced the river. After dried goods and sundry items from mainland China arrived by sea, they were displayed and sold on Dihua Street, which was located behind Guide Street. Many Dihua Street merchants became immensely wealthy through trade, and the houses they built were exceptionally beautiful. To adapt to Taiwan's rainy weather, these houses all featured arcades (qilou), but their external facades were often decorated in a Western style, creating a unique blend of Chinese and Western architecture. The most distinctive feature of these old shop houses is their extremely narrow and long depth; the front served as a shop, while the back housed a factory or warehouse, reflecting the characteristics of early clustered street houses. The most famous street in Dadaocheng is Dihua Street, where shops in the district sell a variety of dried goods, traditional Chinese medicine ingredients, woven products, and more. It also transforms into an important New Year's Market Street during festive seasons. There are also many designated municipal historical sites, such as the Taipei Xia-Hai City God Temple, Cihsheng Temple, Gu's Residence, and Sin Hong Choon Tea Co., all preserving traces of history and well worth a visit. The container market at Dadaocheng Wharf offers a variety of delicious foods, allowing visitors to enjoy beautiful scenery and sunsets while dining. Various activities and performances are also held there intermittently. Today, Dadaocheng still retains traditional architecture, with red-brick houses and nostalgic streets, presenting a tapestry of old and new alongside surrounding modern buildings. On weekends, consider visiting Dadaocheng for a stroll, and perhaps rent traditional costumes to immerse yourself in the historical atmosphere.