Xichang Street - Qingcao Alley Introduction
Walking on Xichang Street near Taipei's Longshan Temple, you will smell a strong scent of fresh herbs, indicating that you are in Taipei's famous Herb Alley. In Lane 224, there are more than ten herbal shops gathered together, offering a wide variety of Chinese herbal medicine materials. It is said that in the early days of the development of Wanhua District, various diseases were prevalent, but there were very few licensed traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, making herbal shops the main institutions for folk remedies. People used to drink soups made from boiled herbs to treat ailments, and many ancient folk prescriptions were hidden within, earning the street the nickname "Saving Life Street." Later, with the cancellation of medicated prescriptions at Longshan Temple and the implementation of health insurance, herbal products transformed into natural health foods. There are over 100 types of herbs here, all locally sourced from Taiwan, transported from the southern regions, and processed through drying. The famous herbal tea is a must-have remedy for heat during the scorching summer days, and many people come to buy some packs to brew at home. Under the planning of the Taipei City Government, herb alley and Lane 209 of Guangzhou Street, adjacent to Longshan Temple, have been planted with live specimens of herbs such as aloe vera, red river seven, Saxifrage, and lavender, establishing a medicinal plant garden area, making it a great spot for outdoor education.
