Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel & Lifestyle Network Editorial Team
Autumn is the perfect season for travel, and Taipei City’s Tourism and Travel Bureau has especially recommended a one-day mini adventure exploring the city’s old districts.
Take a stroll through Dadaocheng to enjoy the beautiful scenery of old Taipei. (Image source / Taipei Tourism Network)
The first stop of this deep-autumn day trip is to fill up with an old-school Taipei-style brunch. Head to Dadaocheng in Taipei’s old district, take the MRT to Daqiaotou Station, and exit from Exit 1 towardCi Sheng Temple. Ci Sheng Temple, a Mazu temple, was once the spiritual center for early Fujian coastal residents who came to Taiwan. This gave rise to the street food around the temple, such as savory pork congee, blanched squid, fried seafood, crispy yet juicy red-braised pork, affordable and hearty Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, sliced meats and vegetables, four-ingredient soup, pork rib soup, pork leg noodles, and daily limited offerings of snow crab—all traditional, popular, and uniquely humble eats rarely seen in urban settings.
In front of Ci Sheng Temple in Dadaocheng (Image source / Taipei City Government)
And the most interesting part? Everyone orders their meals and shares tables under the big tree in front of the temple—a truly unique experience. Just note that most places are open only from 9:30 am to 3 pm, so time your visit accordingly. Next, head to the intersection of Yanping North Road and Bao’an Street to visit “Shun Tian Surgical Hospital” for coffee, and explore what was once a hospital and is now“Bao’an 84”—a hybrid space with coffee on the first floor, exhibitions on the second, and cultural events on the third.
The bright yellow lighting at Bao’an 84 creates a warm and cozy atmosphere, with rotating exhibitions on the walls. (Photo / MOOK Scenic Spots Family, Liao Qiyu)
The coffee space is comfortable and spacious, keeping many guests here for the entire afternoon. (Photo / MOOK Scenic Spots Family, Liao Qiyu)
If you love historic homes, continue on toLin Wu Hu’s Original Mansionon Section 1 of Dihua Street. Though compact, it’s one of the best-preserved Qing Dynasty Minnan-style street houses in the area. The front section is leased by Zhen Wei Tea House, which was also the filming location for a Taiwan tourism promotional video starring Masaharu Fukuyama. The middle section is the Lin family’s shrine room, while the rear section is currently a private residence for the Lin family elders and not open to the public. For those interested in more stories, there are guided tours at specific times.
Dihua Street’s Yongle Market is Taiwan’s largest wholesale hub for fabrics. (Image source: Taipei City Tourism Bureau)
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