Shiding Old Street Introduction
Shiding Old Street is the earliest developed area in Shiding District and an important settlement along the Dahan Ancient Road. Here, the Bengshan Creek and the Wutu Creek converge to form the Jingmei Creek. Shiding Old Street is divided into East and West Streets by the Wanshou Bridge (Route 47). West Street developed earlier and is known as a hub for the dyeing and tea trade; East Street rapidly developed after the rise of the coal mining industry and later became more prosperous. The unique stilted buildings and the "No Sky Street" are must-visit spots in the old street. The stilt houses on East Street of Shiding, suspended above the riverbed, are currently one of the last remaining "No Sky Streets" in Taiwan. Many of the old houses in Shiding are built using local creek stones. Due to the narrow land along the Bengshan Creek, stilt houses were developed, with homes elevated above the riverbed, supported only by pillars. The rooms on the creek side are used as kitchens, while the ones against the mountainside serve as living rooms. The central passageway acts as a pedestrian path and a shopping street, creating a unique cultural landscape. Shiding Old Street used to be a key area along the Dahan Ancient Road South Route, connecting the tea aroma road between Pinglin and Wenshan, and became a distribution center for freight during its prosperous time. Today, the shops in Shiding Old Street are mainly concentrated in the East Street's "No Sky Street," featuring century-old tofu shops, Shiding Baozhong tea, tofu ice, handmade mochi, and other establishments. The century-old iron shop at the bottom of the street, with the clanging sounds of blacksmithing, adds a rustic charm to the old street.
