Xichang Street - Qingcao Alley Introduction
Walking on Xichang Street near Taipei's Longshan Temple, you will smell a strong aroma of herbal grasses, signaling that you've arrived at the famous Herb Alley in Taipei. In Lane 224, over ten herbal shops gather, showcasing a variety of traditional Chinese herbal materials. It is said that in the early days of the Monga settlement, there were many widespread diseases, but very few licensed Chinese medicine practitioners, making herbal shops the main institutions for folk healing. People would drink herbal soups to treat illnesses, and many ancient remedies were hidden within, earning it the nickname "Saving Life Street." Later, as Longshan Temple discontinued prescription services and health insurance was implemented, herbal products transitioned into natural health foods. Here, there are over 100 types of herbs, all authentic Taiwanese herbs transported from the south and processed through drying. The famous herbal tea is a quintessential remedy for the sweltering summer, and many come here to buy a few bags to brew at home. Under the planning of the Taipei City Government, Herb Alley and Guangzhou Street Lane 209 adjacent to Longshan Temple have planted live samples of medicinal plants such as aloe vera, red-eyed herbs, Siberian bugloss, and lavender, establishing a medicinal plant garden area, making it a great place for outdoor educational activities.
