Hengchun Old Street Introduction
Hengchun Old Street, formed at the intersection of Zhongshan Road and Fude Road, has a history of over a century since the establishment of Hengchun. Most of the buildings and businesses on the old street have existed for more than half a century. With its long history and many old shops, if you just take a cursory glance, you might regret missing out on its treasures. From the moment you step onto the old street, besides taking the time to explore each old shop carefully, don't forget to look up and admire the old architecture. Although many ground-floor shops have been remodeled to create a modern commercial atmosphere, making it difficult to sense the nostalgic charm at first, if you shift your gaze to the second floor and above, the architectural scenery transforms. Classic window designs, traditional stone tiles, old Minnan-style buildings, and Baroque-style architecture combine to create a stunning architectural style. The unique characteristics of the old shops lie in their long history and authentic flavors. For example, a century-old traditional Chinese medicine shop has a medicine cabinet that is 300 years old, designed with ancient copper coins as clasps, which has become rare today. Over time, the surface of the cabinet has gained a shine that cannot be easily replicated; the charm of the old is irreplaceable. A department store from the 1960s does not display goods as clearly as modern department stores but is instead densely packed with items, making shopping feel like a treasure hunt, offering a unique flavor that is hard to find elsewhere. The old-fashioned charm is the secret to the enduring appeal of these shops. Tasting local food is the main intent of strolling about; if you’re tired of Japanese, Italian, and American cuisine, you should try traditional snacks here, such as salty rice pudding, red round dumplings, mung bean soup, thick noodles, and duck meat vermicelli. You will surely be delighted after trying them all. Whether hot or cold, sweet or savory, these delicacies can be easily found without much searching. It is not simple to list all the delicious snacks on Hengchun Old Street; only by visiting can one truly experience that it is a paradise of traditional cuisine. To enhance the cultural characteristics of Hengchun Ancient Town, the government aims to transform Hengchun Old Street into a vibrant area. Starting from the old street, they are integrating resources from historical streetscapes, reinforcing pedestrian paths, lighting, and guidance facilities along important roads, as well as extensively planting greenery to provide a friendly space for visitors to stroll comfortably.
