A Mini Autumn Getaway in Taipei: Unearthing Treasures in Historic Houses and Snacking Around

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Team
 

Autumn is the best season for travel, and the Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau has especially recommended a one-day mini adventure exploring the city’s old districts.

For the first stop on your deep-autumn day trip, start by filling up on an old-school Taiwanese brunch. Head to Dadaocheng in Taipei’s old city area—take the MRT to Daqiaotou Station, exit at Exit 1, and headtoward Ci Sheng Gong. Ci Sheng Gong, a temple dedicated to Mazu, was once a spiritual hub for early Fujianese immigrants to Taiwan, and the street food around the temple is a direct result. Try local specialties such as savory pork congee, blanched squid, fried seafood, tender and juicy braised pork with crispy skin, the affordable yet luxurious Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, sliced meats and vegetables, four-herb soup, pork rib soup, pig’s trotter noodles, and the daily-limited snow crab—all traditional, popular, and uniquely humble delights rarely seen in the city today.

And the most interesting part? Everyone orders their meal and shares tables under the big tree in front of the temple—an experience unlike any other. Just note that most vendors are only open from 9:30 AM to 3 PM, so plan accordingly. Next, walk toward the intersection of Yanping North Road and Bao’an Street to visit “Shun Tian Surgical Hospital” for coffee, where a former hospital has been reborn as“Bao’an 84”, a multifunctional space with a coffee shop on the first floor, exhibitions on the second, and art and cultural events held on the third.

If you’re a fan of historic homes, continue on toLin Wu Hu’s Original Mansionon Section 1 of Dihua Street. Though compact, it is one of the best-preserved Qing-era Minnan-style street houses in the area. The first section is leased by Zhen Wei Tea House, which was also the filming location for a Taiwan tourism promotional short starring Fukuyama Masaharu. The second section serves as the Lin family’s shrine, while the third is currently a private residence for the Lin elders and not open to the public—but specific guided tours are available at certain times to learn more of its stories.