Explore the historic flavors of Dadaocheng and Dalongdong: Taipei launches free weekend guided tours

▲ Bao’an Temple, a winner of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. (Photo/Taipei City Tourism and Travel Department, same below)

By Chen Rui-zhong / Staff reporter

The Taipei City Tourism and Travel Department has launched the "Dadaocheng & Dalongdong: Explore Together" free weekend guided tour program in Datong District, featuring two routes—Dadaocheng and Dalongdong. In addition to experienced professional guides, students have also joined the team of lecturers, offering diverse interpretations of old Taipei’s stories across generations.

According to the Taipei City Tourism and Travel Department, the event will take place every weekend from September 12 to December 27, as well as during the Mid-Autumn Festival and Double Ten Day holiday period. Dadaocheng, once a commercial hub of Taipei, will be explored starting from Yongle Market—the island’s gathering place for the textile trade—followed by visits to Xiahai City God Temple, a local faith center; traditional shops and Minnan-style street houses on Dihua Street; and the popular URS Urban Regeneration Stations that have gained rapid attention in recent years. The tour showcases how Dadaocheng’s development continues to attract visitors across time and generations.

▲ Yongle Market is a key hub for Taiwan’s textile trade.

The Dalongdong route offers a deeper look into religious and literary culture. The Confucius Temple, a national third-grade historic site, and Bao’an Temple—which won the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation—are both located here. Their architectural structures and decorative details make them ideal spots to explore Taipei’s traditional religious culture. To register, visit https://goo.gl/5snIN0 or check the Taipei Travel website (http://www.travel.taipei/).

Dadaocheng Guided Tour
Time: September 12–December 26, every Saturday from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Extra session: Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, September 28 (Monday), 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Meeting point: Yongle Market (No. 21, Section 1, Dihua Street, Datong District, Taipei City)
Route: Yongle Market (meeting point) → Watson’s Pharmacy → URS44 Dadaocheng Story Workshop → Taipei Xiahai City God Temple → Traditional shops on the southern section of Dihua Street → Minnan-style street houses on the middle section of Dihua Street → URS127 → Lin Wu-hu Original Store → Dadaocheng Park

Dalongdong Guided Tour
Time: September 13–December 27, every Sunday from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Extra session: Double Ten Day holiday, October 9 (Friday), 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Meeting point: Taipei Confucius Temple (No. 275, Dalong Street, Datong District, Taipei City)
Route: Taipei Confucius Temple (meeting point) → 44 Lanes Street → Dalongdong Bao’an Temple