Taipei/Old Taipei

If you want to feel the real heartbeat of Taipei, one that is far removed from the skyscrapers and shopping malls of East Taipei, then Datong and Wanhua in West Taipei are the places to go. Located next to the Danshui River, this is one of the oldest inhabited areas in Taipei. Previously, is 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.

MRT - Green line to Ximen, Beimen and Zhongshan. Red line to Zhogshan. Blue line to Ximen.
The Taoyaun Airport MRT Express and Commuter lines stop here from the airport.

Wanhua

• Longshan Temple

  address: 211 Guangzhou Road (near junction with Guilin Road)
  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.

• Red HouseNear 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.

• North Gate

  address: Sec 1, Zhongxiao West Road
  Of the five ancient city gates, four are still standing. But of the four, only one is a true historic relic from the Qing Dynasty: the salmon-colored north gate. Its external walls were built with granolithic and brown mosaic tiles from Beitou Kiln.

Dadaocheng

In the South of Datong District, Dadaocheng (大稻埕) is a historic heart of Taipei. Dadaocheng can be literally translated as large open space for drying rice in the sun. This is one of the oldest communities in Taipei. To get to this old area, you can take the Danshui Line (Red Line) MRT to Shuanglian Station. From Exit 2, walk west down Minsheng West Road (about 15 minutes).

• Dihua StreetThis street along the Danshui River in Dadaocheng, rows of old shophouses from late 1880s hold Taiwan's oldest wholesale dried goods market. On Dihua Street Section 1, Xiahai City God Temple (霞海城隍廟) was built in 1859 to worship City God (城隍爺), who watched over the citizens in the district and decided a person's fate after death. Today this temple remains the area's religious and social center, and one of Taipei's most important places of worship. 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, recent 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.

• Gui-de Street

  address: West of Dihua Street and Xining North Road
  Previously called Western Houses Street, this lane once fronted the Danshui River. In the 1880s, the world famous Formosa Oolong Tea came from a nearby wharf. At the time, many wealthy merchants invested in building along the lane in order to attract international trading firms. One was Chen Tian-lai (AD 1872-1939), a Taiwanese tea merchant, who was fabulously rich for his time. His home was one of the model Taiwanese residences on this land and his neo-Baroque home is still standing. (No.73 Gui-De Street)

Dalongdong

Dalongdong (大龍峒) is at the Datong District's north end, north of Dadaocheng and also one of the oldest communities in Taipei. Baoan Temple and Confucius Temple are both famous historical sites located in this area.

• Bao'an Temple

  address: 61 Ha-mi St
  Construction began on this temple in 1805 and it was completed 25 years later. Baoan is a Taoist temple and one of the leading religious sites in Taipei. The temple's main deity is the emperor Baosheng, the god of medicine. The mural paintings and sculptures that adorn the building are considered some of the most impressive in Taiwan, and the temple won acclaims in the 2003 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards.

• Confucius Temple

  address: 275 Dalong St
  Just next to Bao'an Temple, the Confucius Temple was built in 1879 when the Qing Court changed Taipei into a prefecture of the Province of Fujian, China. It was established to serve as the largest educational center in northern Taiwan. Every September 28, a large number of people from Taiwan and abroad come here to watch a solemn Confucius birthday ceremony and eight-row dance.

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

Ximending

• Red House

  phone: +886-2-23119380
  address: No. 10, Chengdu Rd., Wanhua Dist.
  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 their creative products.

• Ximen Pedestrian areaThis 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.

Night markets

• Ning Xia Night Market

  address: Ningxia Road, Datong District
  Ningxia Night Market is one of the oldest night markets in Taipei, and specializes in Taiwanese snack foods, its oyster and egg omelets.

• Huaxi Street Night Market

  address: Huaxi Street, Wanhua District
  Serving local snacks, and restaurants that serve traditional Taiwanese dishes and many delicacies including snake blood and meat, turtle blood and meat. Many Taiwanese have a negative view of Snake Alley, which was once a legal red-light district.

• Yengsan Night MarketSmall market serving traditional Taiwanese cuisine and not a tourist hot-spot like many other markets. Get the taste of sticky tofu, fried noodles and mochi ice here.

• Dalong Street Night MarketThe proximity to the Confucius Temple makes it a nice stop to pick up a snack or eat at one of the old restaurants.

Budget

• Ah Chung Mee Soa

  address: 8-1 Emei St
  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.

• Calcutta Indian Curry House

  phone: +886 2 2389-3878
  address: 70 Xining South Rd
  Basement Level of the Wannian Shopping Complex. (Ximen Ding District) - One of the more popular Indian restaurants, conveniently located in the Ximen Ding district. A bit hard to find, but definitely worth it.

• Sushi ExpressSushi train style restaurant chain, all plates and miso soup NT$30

• Tainan Tan-tsu-mien Seafood Restaurant

  phone: +886 2 2308-1123
  address: 31 Huaxi Street
  Legendary in the Huaxi Street Tourist Night Market (Snake Alley).

Mid-range

• Mei Guan Yuan

  phone: +886 2 2331-0377
  address: 36 Emei St
  Located in Ximending Pedestrian Area. This restaurant has served authentic Japanese sushi and sashimi since 1946. (There's another restaurant opposite the road from this with exactly the same name - that's the old location of this restaurant and doesn't serve as good sushi.)

There are a number of coffee shops and tea houses in Dihua Street.

Coffee

• Salt Peanuts

  phone: + 2 2557 8679
  address: No.197-1, Section 1, Dihua Street
  A cozy little cafe in a restored 19th century building. Great coffee, delicious desserts, sensitive decor. Best seating located in open courtyard area. Serves healthy and innovative brunches.

Tea

• Liu Yu Teahouse

  phone: +886 2 2308 9743
  address: B1-10, Longshan Temple Underpass, No145 Xiyuan Road. Sec. 1, Wanhua
  An unpretentious and cozy tea house. Excellent selection of teas. Owner speaks fluent English.

Budget

• Homey Hostel

  phone: +886 2 2550 4499
  address: 7F, No. 180, Changan West Road, Taipei City, Taiwan
  We are an award-winning hostel located in the heart of Taipei. We love nothing more than to see you making new friends and enjoying our wonderful city together. You can relax and play games in our comfortable, spacious common room, join us for one of our weekly activities, or speak to our knowledgeable local staff about the best things to see and do in Taipei. There’s always something fun to do at Homey Hostel!

• Guest House TaiwanMex

  phone: +886 2 2550-1938
  address: 2F, No.18-1, Lane 18, Nanjing West Road
  Clean rooms, multiple bathrooms, internet PCs and showers. Spanish and English spoken.

• Taipei Backpackers Hostel

  phone: +886 2 2311 9559
  address: No. 58, 56, Sec 2, Hankou St.
  5 minutes from Ximen MRT station, one of the famous shopping areas in Taipei.

Mid-range

• New Continental Hotel

  phone: +886 2 2550-5799
  address: No.73 Section 1, Chongqing North Road
  Decent price given the accessibility that the hotel offers, especially for those on a free-and-easy trip and intending to commute by public transport. Staff are generally courteous and friendly. Rooms are generally mid-sized to small depending on the number of people staying in one room (rooms with 1 double bed or 2 twin beds are generally smaller). Limited selection of television programs, however, with most channels offering Chinese language programs only. Rooms are decently cleaned and amenities (complementary drink packets and towels etc.) replenished day-to-day. Rooms facing the main road can be a bit noisy at night and rooms situated in the center have no windows. Breakfast is complimentary but do not expect much; most dishes offered are Chinese and very limited selection of Western cuisine (toast, salad and some meat-based dishes).