Dadaocheng and Dihua Street in Taipei
Part of the Taipei travel guide — see every topic in All Taipei Guides.
Dadaocheng is one of the oldest parts of Taipei, on the east bank of the Tamsui River. In the 1800s it was a busy trading port for tea and other goods. Today its main street, Dihua Street, has restored shophouses with tall decorated fronts. Old shops selling dried food and herbs now sit next to cafés, design stores and small galleries. It is a pleasant place to walk, eat and shop.
Dihua Street
Dihua Street runs north to south, close to the river. Many buildings date from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Some have red-brick fronts, others have stone and plaster decorations in a Western style that was popular in the 1920s. Many have long, deep rooms that run far back from the street. Shops sell dried mushrooms, dried fruit, nuts, herbs, tea and seafood. Before Lunar New Year, the street becomes a large market and is very crowded with people buying food for the holiday. Daqiaotou MRT station on the orange line and Beimen station on the green line are both a short walk away.
Old buildings, new uses
In recent years, many old shophouses have been restored. Their back rooms and upper floors now hold cafés, tea rooms, craft shops and small design studios. Some buildings have courtyards with plants and light coming in from above. Look for small signs and open doors, because many of the best shops are hidden behind the front room. The area also has small bookshops and stores that sell modern Taiwanese crafts, ceramics and printed fabric. It is a good place to find gifts that feel local and well made.
Yongle Market and fabric
Yongle Market, near the south end of Dihua Street, is a large building known for fabric. The upper floors are full of small stalls selling cloth of every colour and pattern. Some tailors can make simple clothes for you if you have a few days. The ground floor is a fresh food market. The streets around the market also have shops selling buttons, ribbons and sewing supplies. The local Xiahai City God Temple sits close by on Dihua Street. It is a small temple and you may pass it on your walk.
Dadaocheng Wharf
At the end of the streets, walk to Dadaocheng Wharf on the riverbank. A long riverside park has a bike path, open grass and a row of food stalls and containers that sell drinks and snacks in the evening. This is one of the best places in Taipei to watch the sunset over the river. Boats leave from the wharf for river trips, some going as far as Tamsui. YouBike stations are nearby, and the riverside bike path runs for many kilometres in both directions. On some summer evenings there are fireworks and festivals along the river.
Tips for your visit
Come in the late afternoon. Walk Dihua Street while the shops are open, then go to the wharf for sunset and food. Many old shops close early in the evening, and some close on certain days, so check if there is a shop you want to visit. Bring cash for small shops and market stalls. The streets are flat and easy to walk. The area is quieter on weekday mornings. Lunar New Year market weeks are lively but very crowded. Ximending, a busy shopping area for young people, is a short MRT ride away if you want to continue your evening.
Dadaocheng and Dihua Street at a glance
| Getting there | Daqiaotou MRT (orange) or Beimen MRT (green) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Shops roughly 9am–early evening; many cafés open later |
| Cost | Free to walk; cash for small shops |
| Best time | Late afternoon, then sunset at the wharf |
| Time needed | Half a day |