Xizhi Old Street Introduction
Xizhi Old Street is a short, one-kilometer stretch of Zhongzheng Road from Xizhi Train Station to Limen Street, formerly known as "Shuifanjiao Street." It was once an important cargo transfer station by the Keelung River, nicknamed "Xizhi First Street." The past prosperity has left behind many historical relics, and some buildings along the street still feature traditional red brick walls and Baroque-style western buildings. The glory of the past is evidenced by many historical sites, such as Niuchoutu Dock, the Public Market, granaries, churches, and the Aimen Ruins, as well as long-standing shops operated by three generations, including rice stores, fabric merchants, pharmacies, and incense shops. The buildings along the street maintain the traditional style of long narrow houses. The narrow entrance to Zhongzheng Old Street is directly across from the train station, and its features include sections of streets that still retain traditional architecture and lifestyles from the Qing Dynasty and Japanese colonial period. The remnants of its prosperous past include notable historical spaces like Jide Temple (Mazu Temple), Zhongshun Temple (the site of the Nengjiu Prince Shrine), the Public Market (the site of the Taisho Era Qixing District Market), the torii gate at Xizhi Park, Jian Shun Tea House, the Baroque-style Chen Wanqi Ancient House and Cai Dinggong Hall, as well as traditional buildings from the Japanese Taisho period like the Su House and the brick arch-column-shaped Yu House. These landmark buildings, marked by their historical significance, allow Xizhi Old Street to retain the characteristic style of a bygone era, making it a precious cultural asset of Xizhi.
