Xindian Old Street Introduction
Xindian Old Street, located on the eastern bank of the Xindian Bitan Suspension Bridge along Xindian Road, traces its origins back to the Daoguang era according to historical records. In its early days, it served as a distribution center for agricultural products and daily necessities from nearby areas such as Wulai, Muzha, An-Keng, and Jingmei. The thriving commerce was facilitated by the convenient transportation options of river transport, accessible roads, and suspension bridges. Xindian Old Street is lined with numerous shops, where one could find everything from pharmacies and herbal medicine shops to bakeries, catering to all essential needs from birth to old age. The back lanes of the merchants connect directly to the Xindian River, leading to the collective construction of a temple for the local Earth God, named Changxing Temple. According to Mr. Lin Wenliang, the temple has been in existence for over 150 years; the original Earth God statue was washed away in floods, leaving only the old Earth Goddess statue. The ancient temple has been expanded to two floors, providing blessings for business owners along Xindian Road to prosper and remain safe. Preserving the authentic charm of Taipei's Xindian Old Street, the morning market is filled with the sounds of vendors calling out, while the afternoons tend to be quite peaceful. Strolling through Xindian Old Street in the glow of the evening sun gives one a sense of stepping back into history.
