Street Food, History, and Architecture on Dihua Street
Dihua Street, one of the most charming tourist spots in the city, is one of the oldest streets in Taipei — certain sections even date back to the 1600s, when parts of Taiwan were under Dutch colonial rule. It is located in Dadaocheng, the oldest remaining neighbourhood of Taipei, and retains much of its history and architecture due to conservation efforts by the government. Once one of the biggest centres for trade in Taipei, Dihua Street is still very commercially active, with a multitude of shops selling tea, dried goods, incense, traditional medicinal products, fabric, local crafts, and more. It’s a great area to explore for its beautiful architecture and a glimpse into Taipei’s history.
Most of Dihua Street was built in the 1850s, after an ethnic feud over ancestry divided a group of merchants in Wanhua, causing the losing side to flee to modern-day Datong. In old Taipei, being next to a port was an essential part of success for merchants, and Dihua Street is strategically located next to the Tamsui River, just upstream from the port in Wanhua that they had been previously reliant upon. Ironically, the port in Wanhua gradually silted up, and more trade flowed through the new port in Dadaocheng, bringing much prosperity to Dihua Street. You can still see some of the original houses built during this time (mostly) around Dadaocheng Park, including the oldest house on Dihua Street — check the map at the bottom of this post for the exact location. These houses tend to be short and squat, very different from the beautiful shops and mansions built by Western merchants who poured int the area when Taiwan’s ports were opened during the second Opium War, and from the baroque and modernist-inspired Japanese buildings from the Japanese Occupation of Taiwan. The best examples of Western architecture on Dihua Street are the buildings immediately surrounding Yongle Market — look up, and you will see many houses with beautiful facades, usually above street level.
As corny as it sounds, stepping onto Dihua Street can feel as if you are stepping back in time. Sure, there are cars and tourists everywhere, but it also has one of the largest collections of heritage architecture in Taipei, a city notorious for its slightly outdated buildings that don’t do much to please the eye. Shop keepers touting items that you may have never seen in your life shout amiably to each other, and the smell of Chinese medicine intermingles with sizzling local foods. Just watch out for stinky tofu — you’ll know when you encounter it.
Dihua Street is well-known for wholesale dried goods, including lots of different dried nuts and fruits, many of which are from Taiwan and can be sampled before purchasing. We liked that they had both prepackaged and self-serve, so you can buy as much or as little as you need. Prices are reasonable, and it’s a nice place to pick up edible souvenirs. For even better bargains, wander a little further into Dadaocheng — as you leave the tourist area, prices will drop a bit, and you’ll get to see a more local way of life.
In addition to dried goods, Dihua Street is one of the better places in Taipei to buy Chinese medicinal herbs. Business was at its peak during the Japanese Occupation when Dihua Street was the main place to buy these herbs, and this era of prosperity lasted well into the 90s until the introduction of NHI (National Health Insurance) brought stricter regulations on Chinese medicine. Nowadays, there has been a slow cultural shift towards western medicine, and an understanding that diet may have a bigger impact on health than herbs, which has led to many medicinal herb shops closing down. Despite this, Dihua Street is still packed with shops selling medicinal herbs, and exploring these shops is an unmissable opportunity to delve further into local culture.
If you’re interested in learning more, read more about some commonly used Chinese medicinal herbs and their uses here, and more about the fascinating history of the buying and selling of these herbs on Dihua Street here.
Another reason we love coming to Dihua Street is that it’s a great place for shopping. They have tons of cute local crafts, souvenirs, clothes, jewellery, fabric, kitchenware, tea, prepacked food, and stationery, to name but a few of the items you’ll find there. Prices can be slightly inflated as its a tourist area, but they have a spectacular range of goods and it’s a fun area to shop in.
As you’re on Dihua Street, you’ll notice this little temple down below. It’s called Taipei Xiahai City God Temple and is the temple for love and match-making, which is why it’s so popular with locals residents who believe (just like the rest of us) that we need all the help we can get when it comes to finding the right partner. It’s a fun spot to people watch and take photos, as long as you don’t bother anyone.
You’ll also walk by this huge building, which is called Yongle Fabric Market, sometimes known only as Yongle Market. As the name suggests, this 4-story market is famous for selling all kinds of fabric and sewing-related goods and is the only wholesale fabric market in Taipei. It’s also the largest of its kind in Taiwan, putting it right in the centre of the island’s textile industry.
The first floor is a traditional market, which mostly sells fresh meat, fish, fruit, and vegetables, amongst other food items. There are also a few stores selling clothes and other items.
The second floor is where the actual fabric market is — here you can browse stalls selling fabrics of all kinds, some of which are really pretty and unique. Prices are usually quite reasonable but vary a lot depending on what you buy. Don’t expect vendors to speak English: come prepared with what Chinese you have. The fabric market shuts at six every day and is closed on Sundays, but often you will find at least a couple of stalls open for business. If you venture to the third floor, you will find tailors that can turn your fabric into a garment or furnishing of your choice. There is a food court on the fourth floor.
There are several other sights in the area that may or may not be to your interest, such as the Taiyuan Asian Puppet Theatre Museum and Dadaocheng Theatre. These aren’t necessary to visit, but they can be fun to explore as part of an extended visit to Dihua Street. See the map at the bottom of our post for the exact location of each. If you don’t mind walking a little further, we strongly recommend visiting the AMA Museum of Comfort Women, which is about ten minutes away on foot.
The best way to experience Dihua Street is just to walk around, following your nose or whatever catches your eye. There’s nothing you have to see, it’s more about being there and feeling the history and culture the area has to offer. Being the oldest neighbourhood in Taipei, the area surrounding Dihua Street — Dadaocheng — is also a great spot for exploring. From local shops and restaurants to crumbling architecture and old men playing games on the street, it’s a fascinating look into a more traditional way of life in Taipei. Read more about the history of Dihua Street and surrounding area here.
That being said, an essential component of a visit to Dihua Street is the food. Although you can find cute cafes and tea houses, the real draw is the myriad of local vendors that line the street. You’ll find everything from stinky tofu to almond pudding, traditional Chinese sugar paintings, ice cream and cilantro “burritos,” pig’s blood cake, wontons, and much, much more. While the food may not be as foreign-friendly (i.e. adapted to the tastes of tourists) as some of the night markets, it is a much more authentic local experience. You can always skip this and eat somewhere else, but it really does add to the experience.
If street vendors or hole-in-the-wall local restaurants are your thing, there are some nice cafes and restaurants in the area too. Pallas Cafe and Gu Yi Xiao She (古一小舍 ) both have great curry rice and coffee, Yi Ming Xuan Garden Restaurant (易明軒庭園餐廳 ) has delicious Chinese food, Le Zinc Cafe & Bar has some nice drinks and Western food, and Pizza Has a Face has some of the best pizza we’ve had in Taipei. SALUT Coffee is a nice spot to grab some coffee or dessert, although you’ll have to take it to go. If you’re in the mood for something a little stronger, check out Jim & Dad’s Taipei, who brew their own beer in Yilan, or Ginspiration, a beautiful, intimate gin bar, or Watson Bar, a quiet, vintage-style cocktail bar in the former A.S. Watson & Co building (a refurbished heritage building that once housed the first western-style pharmacy in Taipei) known for their tea infusions.
Since Dihua Street’s economy was practically built on tea, there are also endless teahouses in the area that make for a wonderful place to rest and experience the local tea culture. Some nice teahouses in the neighbourhood are ASW Teahouse, Zhenwei Tea Garden (臻味茶苑) and South Street Delight Tea House, although there are dozens more.
One word of warning about Dihua Street, though: it can get packed on weekends, and is almost unbearable crowded during Chinese New Year, which is when it’s at its busiest, with an estimated 70,000 visitors each year. If you’re trying to avoid crowds, we suggest trying to visit during the week and avoiding holidays at all costs.
It should be no secret by now how much we love Dihua Street. It’s a must-do for visitors and Taipei residents alike, as it gives us the opportunity to experience a living piece of the city’s history. With all of its beautiful architecture, street vendors, and old-school shops selling wholesale tea, dried food, and medicinal herbs, it’s a fascinating insight into the local culture that once was, in sharp contrast to the fast-paced streets of modern Taipei.
What’s the vibe?
Bustling historical street with local food, products, and craft and souvenir stores. There are quite a few tourists, but it doesn’t usually get unbearable unless you go around Chinese New Year.
Worth it?
Yes! It’s free, it’s pretty, and it’s full of local food and history. You can easily extend the trip by checking out some of the surrounding area or stick to visiting the street itself.
Would you go back?
We go back all the time. We like to support local shopkeepers by buying dried fruit and nuts there, and it’s a great place for a stroll or to take visitors.
| Dihua Street |
| Chinese Name: 迪化街 |
| Hours: Open 24/7 |
| English Address: Section 1, Dihua St, Datong District, Taipei City, 103 |
| Chinese Address: 103台北市大同區迪化街一段 |
