By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team
Tainan’s well-known Dadaong Night Market, once voted by netizens as the “Most Value-for-Money Night Market,” grew rapidly after opening in 2000 and became a landmark night market in the city. However, due to its location, which was rezoned following urban land readjustment, there are reports that it may have to close.
The Dadaong Night Market, open for nearly 20 years, is rumored to be facing closure. (Photo/Tainan City Government)
Ranked alongside Wusheng and Huayuan Night Markets, Dadaong Night Market spans over a thousand ping and has maintained high popularity for 18 years. As Tainan’s night markets operate on different days from Monday to Sunday, locals have created the mnemonic “Da Da Wu Hua Da Wu Hua” to remember their operating days.
Covering over a thousand ping, Dadaong Night Market is as renowned as Wusheng and Huayuan Night Markets. (Photo/Tainan City Government)
The land where Dadaong Night Market is located was originally leased to operators by the Tainan City Farmers’ Association, but after the urban plan changed the area to “government-use land,” the ownership had to be transferred to the Tainan City Government, and operating a night market there was no longer permitted under regulations. However, following administrative litigation, the court ultimately ruled that the land is “co-owned” by both parties.
Huayuan Night Market, along with Dadaong and Wusheng Night Markets, is one of Tainan’s top three night markets. (Photo/Tainan City Government Tourism Bureau)
After several rounds of negotiation, both parties have agreed to maintain the operation of Dadaong Night Market for now and will not reclaim the land abruptly to support Tainan’s tourism development.