Taipei’s oldest street, with shops dating back to around 1851—a fragrant warren of tea, herbal medicine, fabric, and dried goods set among Qing-dynasty shophouses and colonial Baroque facades.
Taipei’s oldest street, with shops dating back to around 1851—a fragrant warren of tea, herbal medicine, fabric, and dried goods set among Qing-dynasty shophouses and colonial Baroque facades.
Updated June 20, 2026
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Highlights亮點Dihua Street is the best place in Taipei to feel the city’s older layers. As Taipei’s oldest street, with its first shops opening around 1851, it sits at the heart of the historic Dadaocheng (Twatutia) district and still trades much as it has for generations—older buildings, richly scented shops, and a rhythm that invites browsing rather than rushing.
It’s also a great place to buy something meaningful to bring home, especially tea and small edible gifts. Strolling the street itself is free; you only pay when something pulls you into a shop.
Dadaocheng boomed in the late 1800s after the port of Tamsui opened, turning Dihua Street into a major trading center for tea, herbal medicine, fabric, and dried goods. That commercial legacy is still the soul of the street today.
The architecture tells the story directly. You’ll pass well-preserved Qing-dynasty shophouses alongside ornate Japanese-colonial Baroque facades, and the Yongle (Fabric) Market—established in 1908—remains a landmark anchor on the street.
Start at one end and move slowly, giving yourself permission to step inside the stores—the dried-goods, tea, and herb shops are an experience in themselves, and the best finds aren’t always on the main street, so peek down the side lanes too.
Most shops keep daytime hours, roughly 09:00 to 18:00, so this is a daylight activity. Reach it from MRT Daqiaotou (Orange Line) to the north or MRT Beimen (Green Line) to the south—both about a 10-minute walk—and plan on 2 to 3 hours, more if you love to shop.
Dihua Street’s most famous moment is its annual Lunar New Year market, when the street fills with stalls of festive snacks, candied fruit, and gifts and runs extended hours—in 2026 it takes place from 31 January to 15 February. It’s a wonderful, high-energy spectacle if you want the festive Taipei experience.
The trade-off is crowds. In the days before Lunar New Year’s Eve the street can be wall-to-wall, so if you prefer a calm, browsable stroll, come on a weekday or outside the New Year season.
Quick answers to common planning questions.
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Tip: hours, prices, and seasonal schedules can change. When something matters (like a museum ticket or a special exhibition), check the official listing before you go.