A Historical Tour of Old Taipei: The Return of Dadaocheng’s Glory

By / Compiled and Reported by the Editorial Team of MOOK Travel Life Network.
 
If you ask young people what their impression of “Taipei” is, some might say Taipei 101, others might mention Shilin Night Market, and some might say xiaolongbao (soup dumplings). It seems that trends and food are how the younger generation identifies with the city. But if you ask older residents of Taipei, neighborhoods like Dadaocheng and Dalongdong—places rich in tradition and history—might be their most genuine memories of the city.

Tradition and modernity have long coexisted in Taipei but have often been artificially divided into incompatible groups. What kind of sparks would fly if young students were to walk into the neighborhoods of their elders’ memories? How would the younger generation interpret old Taipei?

The Taipei City Tourism and Communications Bureau has launched the “Dadaocheng & Dalongdong: Exploring Together on Weekends” free guided tour program in Datong District. It features two free tour routes—“Dadaocheng” and “Dalongdong”—and in addition to experienced professional guides, students are also invited to join as lecturers. Hear how different generations interpret the stories of old Taipei.

Dadaocheng was once the commercial heart of Taipei. This time, the tour will start at Yongle Market, the gathering place for Taiwan’s fabric industry, before visiting the local spiritual center—Xia Hai City God Temple—and traditional shops and Southern Fujian-style street houses along Dihua Street, as well as the recently popular URS Urban Regeneration Forward Bases.

The Dalongdong route is designed for a deeper exploration of religious and scholarly culture. The national third-class historic site, Confucius Temple, and Bao’an Temple—which won the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation—are both located here. Their architectural structures and intricate designs are not to be missed. If you want to understand Taipei’s traditional religious culture, Dalongdong is definitely the best place to go.