Xinmin Old Street Introduction
Cats lazily nap on motorcycle seats, the rich aroma of coffee wafts through the streets, and shopkeepers exchange gentle greetings… The hustle and bustle of Zhongzheng Road fades away, and time seems to slow down on Xinxin Old Street. This quaint street, less than three hundred meters long, is discreetly nestled in the Dàmiào commercial district. The past splendor of being "Taoyuan's First Street" has long faded as the focus of urban commerce shifted elsewhere. Xinxin Old Street, divided into two parts by Zhongzheng Road, still retains traditional shops like rice stores and bridal shops in the western section near Wenchang Park. When the Xinxin Market existed, this area was a hub for many daily necessities, where hardware, rice, and fabric could all be purchased. Thus, during holidays and festivals, Xinxin Street would always be bustling with crowds. The days of the old street are gone, but tasting classic dishes from renowned shops, such as the corner rice noodle soup, fragrant "guest rice," and sweet-savory "sweet millet rice" with side dishes offers a nostalgic experience. After a period of quiet, Xinxin Old Street has once again gained attention, especially with the emergence of creative cultural cafés in the eastern section, where the century-old Yang Family Temple is located. Xinxin Street has become an important hub for local creators promoting Taoyuan's culture. "Not just a café!" is the business philosophy of the shops on Xinxin Street; the menu features "just Xinxin dishes," including flavors from old establishments like peanut syrup, pudding cake, fried dough sticks, and malt sugar. By integrating artistic spaces into the old houses and hosting exhibitions, lectures, concerts, and book clubs, the legacy of the old street continues. In 2015, the first "Return to Taoyuan Arts Festival" was initiated by dozens of artists, filling Xinxin Street with 20 installation art pieces, blending old spaces with new creativity in a charming way.
