Xin Nan Old Street Introduction
If Peace Old Street is like a mainstream song that is still sung today, then New South Old Street is the indie music of Daxi, not overly lively or noisy, but exuding a unique artistic atmosphere, spreading a wonderful charm that is unforgettable once experienced. The beauty of the old alley, reserved for the literary youth, and the nostalgic moments of the past await your visit to listen. New South Old Street, also known as Zhongshan Old Street, is only 500 meters away from Peace Old Street. Unlike Peace Old Street, which is lined with shops, New South Old Street has been a prestigious area that integrates politics, economy, and culture since the Qing Dynasty and the Japanese occupation. It was home to important public institutions such as the Taiwan Provincial Land Office during the Qing Dynasty, the county government, post office, elementary school, assembly hall, and martial arts hall during the Japanese era, akin to today’s Boai Special District in Taipei. Residents in this area were either wealthy or of high status; notable figures such as businessman Jian A-Niu, Kato Ninsaku, and scholar Lu Ying-Yang were prominent families of their time. The odd-numbered side of the old street featured the mansions of the wealthy, while the even-numbered side had workers' quarters, warehouses, and residences—an entire street reflecting the contrast of wealth and poverty. Compared to Peace Old Street, the facades of the buildings on New South Old Street are even more grand and luxurious, showcasing a mixed Western and Eastern Baroque style, with each archway seemingly competing for attention. The most eye-catching establishment on the old street is "Jian Cheng Commercial House," which belonged to the rich Jian A-Niu; its Romanized foreign shop name, brass-covered central dome, symmetrical gables, Western-style double columns, and a width three times larger than ordinary shops highlight the wealth of the Jian family. The neighboring archways of "Yong Chun" and "Xian Ji" belong to the Lu family, featuring a majestic peacock spreading its feathers on the gables and elaborately designed Chinese auspicious decorations like arowanas, unicorns, and cultural symbols, reflecting great ingenuity. It is said that the buildings were covered with canvas during construction to prevent their designs from being plagiarized. New South Old Street also has the hall names of notable families such as "Wu Yi Old Clan" and "Long Tang Clan," expressing nostalgia for their homeland. Today, as the affluent families have declined and their descendants have moved away from Daxi, the luxurious street houses remain, with only their facades and archways witnessing the passage of glorious times. Next time you visit Daxi, consider turning into Zhongshan Road to uncover the stories behind each house and rediscover the once-bustling Daxi.
