Datong District

Understand

Old Taipei is next to the Danshui River and is one of the oldest inhabited areas in Taipei. It was the commercial hub of the city, but since the 1990s the economic center has shifted southeast to Zhongzheng, Daan and Xinyi districts. While much of the original architecture has been lost, the area still maintains a traditional feel. In particular, places like Longshan Temple hold a special place in the hearts of the Taiwanese, and many still visit the area to consult with fortune tellers about who they should marry or what to name their children. Dihua Street has undergone massive renovation and now blends traditional architecture and shops selling Chinese medical herbs and dry goods with cool handicraft shops, modern cafes and distinctive tea houses. Further south, Ximending has been totally transformed, and is now a major youth hub for shopping and eating.

Getting there

By metro The area can be accessed on the green MRT line via 1 Beimen (北門); the green and red lines via 2 Zhongshan (中山); and the green and blue lines via 3 Ximen (西門).

See

Wanhua 1 Longshan Temple (龍山寺), No.211, Guangzhou Rd, Wanhua Dist. (near junction with Guilin Road) (Longshan Temple Station on the Ban-Nan Line), ☏ +886 2 23025162. Daily 06:00-22:00. This temple is where countless generations of Taipei citizens have come to pray and seek guidance at times of trouble. As the temple is dedicated to Guanyin (the Buddhist representation of compassion) it is officially defined as Buddhist, but there is a great amount of folk religion mixed into the fabric of the beliefs at this temple. Free. (updated Jan 2026) 2 Red House (紅樓劇場) (Outside the southwest exit of MRT Ximen station). Near the Ximending shopping area, the Red House was Taiwan's first modern market as well as a theater. Now, the renovated structure is home to an exhibition hall and a market selling innovative handicrafts. (updated Dec 2017) 3 North Gate (北門), Sec 1, Zhongxiao West Road (Across from the main post office.). Of the five ancient city gates, four are still standing. But of the four, only one is a true historical relic from the Qing Dynasty: the salmon-colored north gate, whose formal name in Cheng'en Gate (承恩門). It was built in a traditional South Fujian architectural style. Its external walls were built with granolithic and brown mosaic tiles from Beitou Kiln. 4 Bopiliao Old Street (剝皮寮歷史街區), Lane 173, Kangding Road (Bannan Line Longshan Temple Station, exit 3 and go straight on Kangding road), ☏ +886 2 2302 3199. Outdoors Tu-Su 09:00-21:00, Indoors Tu-Su 09:00-18:00. M closed.. One of the few, and probably best preserved, examples of Qing dynasty architecture in Taipei. The street features historic red brick buildings which have been well restored and are used for a variety of cultural purposes. (updated Jun 2026) 5 Beimen Metro Station. Displays some archeological remains from the Qing Dynasty. Arguably not worth a detour, but keep your eyes peeled when changing trains. Free with the MRT ride. (updated Nov 2024) 6 Huaxi Street Night Market (華西街夜市). This area

Do

Stroll around - The area, particularly Dihua Street (day) and Ximending (night), are great to walk around and absorb the atmosphere of the city streets.

Parks and nature 1 Machangding Memorial Park (馬場町紀念公園). The park features an artificial mound on the approximate site where a number of people were executed during the period of marshal law. The park is dedicated to those who lost their lives during this period. (updated May 2020)

Buy

Dihua Street Along Dihua Street (迪化街), just inland from the Danshui River in Dadaocheng, rows of old shophouses from late 1880s hold Taiwan's oldest wholesale dried goods market. Every Chinese New Year, Dihua Street is the most popular place in Taipei where local residents buy snacks and sweets for Chinese New Year festivities. In addition, renovation work to the street has created a fascinating environment that combines traditional shops selling tea and Chinese medicine with creative handicraft shops, modern cafes, and distinctive tea houses. Dihua Street is a 10 minute walk north from MRT Green Line at Beimen Station. It is also a 20 minute walk from the MRT Red Line at Zhongshan Station; turn right and walk straight along Nangjing West Road.

1 Yongle Fabric Market (永樂布業商場), No. 103, Dihua St., Section 1. 10:00-18:00. Established in 1928 by the Japanese, this market originally sold food, but over time it evolved into a cloth market. Today, this market contains over 100 different cloth shops selling all kinds of fabrics and cloth wares.

Ximending This famous part of town is the center of Taipei's pop, fashion, and alternative cultures. Sometimes called the "Harajuku of Taipei", as the experience is similar to the Tokyo counterpart. Buy your snacks, T-shirts, see portraits (sketched on the street), shop for vintage clothes and souvenirs. MRT Green and Blue Lines stop at Ximen Station, at the heart of the district.

2 Red House (紅樓), No. 10, Chengdu Rd., Wanhua Dist., ☏ +886-2-23119380. 11:00-21:30. The Red House is both a teahouse and a venue for small-scale theater productions. The two-story high red brick building is shaped into an octagonal cylinder. The first and second floors of the Red House now are the art exhibition, restaurants, cafes, shops, and theaters. During weekends, the outside of the Red House become somewhat of a bazaar, where several booths are set up for college students, young designers, or young musicians to show their talents and sell

Eat

Budget 1 Ah Chung Mee Soa (阿宗麵線), 8-1 Emei St. 10:00-22:30. You can't miss this shop in Ximending, since crowds of people surround it all day. Standing or sitting, they slurp down hot bowls of mee soa, which are a comfort on cold days. Not quite for the faint-hearted, thin noodles are mixed with a flavorful soup, created from prolonged braising of the (thoroughly washed) large intestines of the pig. Don't forget to add the condiments provided at the side: the vinegar and minced garlic packs a punch. Other branches can be found in Shilin Night Market and Zhongxiao Fuxing. NT$45-60. (updated Feb 2016) Calcutta Indian Curry House (加爾各答印度咖哩屋), 70 Xining South Rd (at E'Mei Street), ☏ +886 2 2389-3878. Basement Level of the Wannian Shopping Complex, Ximending - One of the more popular Indian restaurants. A bit hard to find, but definitely worth it. Qiaotou Sushi (橋頭壽司), 59 Yanping N Rd, Section 3, ☏ +886 2 2594-1185. 17:00-24:00. A traditional Taiwanese-style sushi establishment. Although the environs are rather average, the location is rather spacious. NT$25 will get you a big bowl of miso soup with tofu, which goes well with a serving of cold sushi. The sashimi sushi is also worth trying for NT$140, also with decent portion sizes. (updated Dec 2022) The Clover, 99 Kunming Street, Ximending. A small number of vegetarian meals set a Nt$99. Homemade sauces. Simple and clean interior. Fast service.

Mid-range 2 Mei Guan Yuan (美觀園), 36 Emei St, ☏ +886 2 2331-0377. Located in Ximending Pedestrian Are