Dadaocheng District - Dihua Street Shop Houses Introduction
In the past, there were no riverbanks along the Tamsui River, and Guidede Street directly faced the river. Goods from mainland China, arriving by sea, were unloaded and displayed for sale on Dihua Street behind Guidede Street. Many merchants on Dihua Street became wealthy through trade, and the houses they built were particularly beautiful. These houses were designed to adapt to Taiwan's rainy weather with their arcades, but their exterior walls often featured decorations reminiscent of Western-style architecture, resulting in a unique mix of Eastern and Western architectural styles. The most notable characteristic of these old shophouses is their narrow and deep structure, where the front served as a store and the back as a factory or warehouse, showcasing the features of clustered street houses from earlier times. The most famous street in Dadaocheng is Dihua Street, where vendors sell various dried goods, Chinese medicinal herbs, and woven products, making it an important market street during festivals. There are also many designated historical sites, such as Taipei Xia-Hai City God Temple, Cisheng Temple, Gu's Residence, and Xin Fang Chun Tea House, which preserve historical traces and are worth visiting. The Dadaocheng Wharf has a container market filled with various delicious foods, allowing visitors to enjoy great food alongside beautiful views and sunsets, with various events and performances held from time to time. Today, Dadaocheng still retains its traditional architecture with red brick houses and retro streets, presenting a blend of old and new alongside newly constructed buildings. On weekends, it's worth taking a stroll in Dadaocheng, renting traditional clothing to immerse yourself in the historical atmosphere.
