Old Streets, Vintage Costumes, and a Riverside Sunset
Located between MRT Beimen and Daqiaotou stations, Dadaocheng is one of Taipei’s best-preserved historic neighborhoods. For more than a century, it has flourished through trade in dried goods, herbal medicine, tea, and textiles. Its historic shophouses still line the streets today, lending the neighborhood a distinctly nostalgic charm.
But Dadaocheng offers much more than historic streets to photograph. In recent years, numerous of its old buildings have been transformed into costume rental shops, atmospheric teahouses and cafés, and hands-on DIY studios. Rushing through in an hour or two means missing the best of it – this is a neighborhood meant to be savored slowly.
| Ways to Get a SIM 【KKday】 Airport MRT Ticket / Multi-Day Transit Pass: 【KKday】 Taoyuan Airport ↔ Taipei Private Transfer: 【KKday】 Taipei Hotels: 【agoda】 | 【Klook】 | 【KKday】 |
Dadaocheng Cisheng Temple
On the northern edge of Dadaocheng, near MRT Daqiaotou Station, Cisheng Temple has long been a spiritual anchor for the local community. In front of the temple, a row of food stalls serves up Taiwanese comfort classics, from pork rib soup and rice porridge to braised pork over noodles and Four-Herb Soup – all at wallet-friendly prices. Simply grab a seat at one of the tables in the temple courtyard and enjoy one of the most authentically local dining scenes in Taipei. Stalls typically close by early afternoon, so it’s best to arrive before noon. Several have even earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand, making this a worthwhile stop for food lovers.
| 📌 Dadaocheng Cisheng Temple Food Tour【Klook】 |
Dihua Street
Dihua Street is Dadaocheng’s commercial heart, lined with shops selling dried goods, herbal medicine, tea, and textiles – trades that have flourished here for generations. The street comes especially alive in the weeks leading up to Lunar New Year, when locals flock here to stock up on all the things they need for the festivities.
It’s also one of the best places in Taipei to shop for souvenirs. Beyond dried fruit, mullet roe, and tea, you’ll find traditional Taiwanese mesh bags (known locally as ka-tsi bags), bamboo crafts, beautifully designed teaware, and plenty of other products that blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design.
The architecture alone is worth the visit. Dihua Street is home to one of Taiwan’s finest collections of historic shophouses, dating from the Qing dynasty through the Japanese colonial era. Their façades blend Southern Fujian, Western, and Baroque influences, with intricate floral motifs and lion-head reliefs adorning many of the gables above.
Beyond the Sightseeing
The neighborhood’s historic streetscape has attracted a new generation of businesses in recent years. Many have carefully preserved original wooden beams, brick walls, and traditional layouts, allowing old and new to coexist under the same roof. Costume rental shops, teahouses, cafés, and DIY studios have all found a home here, becoming one of the defining features of modern Dadaocheng.
Costume Experiences
One of Dadaocheng’s most popular activities is dressing in vintage attire before exploring the old streets. Most rental shops specialize in 1930s-inspired styles, offering elegant qipao and vintage dresses that perfectly complement the historic surroundings.
The Dadaocheng Visitor Center offers free costume rentals, though availability is limited and reservations are required. Private rental shops are often a more convenient option, with many also offering professional hair styling, makeup, and photography services, allowing you to simply relax and enjoy the experience.
| 📌 Cheongsam (Qipao) Dress-up Experience 【KKday】 |
Tea Houses & Cafés
When you need a break, enter one of the neighborhood’s teahouses or cafés. Many occupy beautifully restored historic buildings, where original wooden interiors blend seamlessly with contemporary design. Order a pot of Taiwanese tea or a cup of locally roasted coffee, then slow down and soak up the atmosphere.
If you stay into the evening, you’ll discover another side of Dadaocheng. Several cafés transform into cocktail bars. One of the neighborhood’s newer trends is cocktails infused with traditional Chinese herbal ingredients, giving classic drinks an unmistakably Taiwanese twist.
DIY Experiences
Beyond costume rental shops and cafés, the surrounding lanes are dotted with DIY studios offering cooking classes, metalworking, candle-making workshops, and other hands-on experiences. It’s a fun way to create a personalized souvenir while learning traditional skills from local artisans.
| 📌 Decoration Piece Handmade Course 【KKday】 📌 Traditional Market & Taiwanese Cooking Class 【Klook】 📌 Candle Making – Bubble Tea & Xiaolongbao【Klook】 |
Taipei Xia-Hai City God Temple & Yongle Market
Yongle Market and Taipei Xia-Hai City God Temple sit along the liveliest stretch of Dihua Street. The market’s ground floor is a haven for food lovers, serving up Taiwanese favorites like savory sticky rice and runbing (Taiwanese spring rolls), while the second floor is packed with fabric shops and handmade textile goods well worth exploring.
Just across the street, Taipei Xia-Hai City God Temple is famous throughout Taiwan for its shrine to Yue Lao (the Matchmaker God), drawing countless visitors hoping to be blessed with a happy relationship. Though the temple itself is modest in size, the incense never stops burning, making it a meaningful stop for anyone interested in Taiwan’s folk beliefs and living religious traditions.
Dadaocheng Wharf
Dadaocheng Wharf is one of Taipei’s best spots to watch the sunset over the Tamsui River. As evening approaches, locals gather along the riverbank to take in the changing colors of the sky. For an even better view, hop aboard one of Taipei’s Blue Highway river cruises and watch the sunset unfold from the water.
The wharf also comes alive in the late afternoon with its container market, where food stalls and lifestyle shops set the perfect scene to relax with a drink or enjoy dinner by the riverside.
| 📌 Tamsui River Cruise · Sunset Cruise · Night Cruise【KKday】 |
Where to Stay
Dadaocheng rewards those who slow down, and one day really only scratches the surface. If your schedule allows, consider staying overnight – there’s something special about watching this historic neighborhood shift from its bustling daytime energy into a quieter, more atmospheric mood after dark.
