Xinmin Old Street Introduction
Cats lazily nap on scooter seats, the rich aroma of coffee wafts through the streets, and shopkeepers exchange quiet greetings... The bustling noise of Zhongzheng Road fades away, and time seems to slow down on Xinmin Old Street. Nestled within the Dazhong Temple shopping district, the less than three-hundred-meter-long Xinmin Old Street used to be known as "the first street in Taoyuan," but its former glory has gradually faded with the shifting commercial focus of the city. The Xinmin Old Street, which splits off from Zhongzheng Road, retains traditional shops such as rice stores and bridal shops in its western section near Wenchang Park. In the past, when the Xinmin Market existed, it was a hub for numerous daily necessities shops and vendors, where anything from hardware, rice, to fabric could be found. Thus, during festive seasons, Xinmin Street was always bustling with crowds. Those old, golden times are no more, but tasting the famous rice noodle soup at corner eateries, savoring the fragrant "Guoker Fan," and enjoying the sweet and savory "Sweet Rice with Granules" alongside side dishes can still be a nostalgic experience. After a period of quiet, the Xinmin Old Street regained attention thanks to the century-old Yang Family Temple located in the eastern segment and the emergence of creative coffee shops. Currently, Xinmin Street has become an important hub for local creators to promote Taoyuan's culture. "Not just a coffee shop!" is the business philosophy of the shops on Xinmin Street; the menu features local favorites like peanut rice ball, pudding cake, fried dough sticks, and malt syrup. By integrating artistic spaces into the old houses, they hold exhibitions, lectures, concerts, and book clubs, preserving the charm of the old street. In 2015, the first "Back to Taoyuan Art Festival" was initiated by dozens of artistic creators, covering the storefronts along Xinmin Street with 20 pieces of installation art, blending the old space with new creativity in a charming way.
