Xinzhuang Temple Street Shopping District Introduction
Xinzhuang literally means "new thriving street," and it has a history of over three hundred years since the establishment of Xinzhuang Temple Street in the late Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty. Xinzhuang is the earliest town in the Taipei Basin, benefiting from the convenient shipping system of the Tamsui River, earning the reputation of "a thousand sails at Xinzhuang Port, and a marketplace with countless lights" during the Qing era, and at one time it was the third-largest prosperous city in Taiwan. Immigrants from various regions brought their local beliefs to Xinzhuang to make a living, which made Xinzhuang one of the most densely populated areas of century-old temples among New Taipei's many old streets, hence it is called Xinzhuang Temple Street. The old street, protected by various deities, is a bustling business district with ancient temples that have witnessed the rise and fall of Xinzhuang over hundreds of years, making it an important cultural asset of New Taipei City. Among them, Guangfu Temple has been designated as a national historic site; Ciyou Temple, Wusheng Temple, and Wenchang Temple are designated as municipal historic sites, all of which are significant centers of faith in the Xinzhuang area. While strolling around Xinzhuang, visitors can also enter the temples to light incense, praying for family safety and national peace. The historical charm of Xinzhuang Temple Street, filled with fragrant aromas, is embedded in its essence, with century-old alleys and shops like Mishi Street, Xiguan Alley, and Ironworks Lane, exuding the unique scents and sounds of the old street. At night, Xinzhuang Temple Street transforms into a lively night market, with tempting stalls offering spring rolls, Mongolian barbecue, diced pork rice, and red yeast rice balls, where steam and aromas rise before the century-old temples, with each stall delivering flavors that have stood the test of time.
