Datong & Dadaocheng: old streets, tea shops, and Taipei heritage
A historic area anchored by Dihua Street—tea, dry goods, traditional shops, and a slower, more photogenic side of Taipei.
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Taiwan is a tea place first. Learn how to order bubble tea with intention—and where to slow down for real tea in Taipei.
Best for
Tea lovers, shoppers, couples, rainy afternoons
Time to read
6–8 minutes
Try this
A lighter sweetness level to taste the tea
Highlights
- Order sweetness and ice level deliberately
- Try milk tea with stronger tea flavor (not just sugar)
- Pair a tea afternoon with Dadaocheng or Maokong
- Bring tea home as the best souvenir
Taipei is a tea city (even when it’s loud about boba)
Bubble tea is everywhere, but Taipei’s deeper love story is with tea itself—oolongs, roasted notes, floral aromas, and slow brewing. If you treat bubble tea as just one stop on a larger tea walk, your trip gets richer.
Think of your tea time as a daily ritual: a pause between districts, an air-conditioned reset, a small moment of calm.
How to order bubble tea like you mean it
Most shops let you choose sugar and ice levels. If you want to actually taste tea, lower the sugar. If you want something refreshing, keep ice; if you want more aroma, try less ice.
If you’re new, start with classic black milk tea or a roasted oolong milk tea, then explore fruit teas and seasonal specials.
- Sweetness: try 30–50% to taste tea
- Ice: normal for summer, less ice for more aroma
- Toppings: pearls, grass jelly, pudding—pick one, not all
Where to do “real tea” in Taipei
For a slower tea experience, look to Dadaocheng (tea and dry goods culture) and Maokong (tea hills and tea houses). You don’t need a formal ceremony—just a place that takes tea seriously.
A perfect Taipei afternoon: tea shop browsing → a calm brew → sunset viewpoint.
- Dadaocheng: tea shops and heritage storefronts
- Maokong: tea houses with views and cooler air
- Day trip option: Pinglin Tea Museum for deeper tea-culture context
Tea as a souvenir
Tea travels well. If you want an easy, meaningful souvenir, pick a small tin of oolong or a roasted tea you genuinely like. Ask for a ‘light roast’ or ‘more roasted’ profile depending on your taste.
If you’re unsure, buy small quantities of two styles. Your future self will appreciate the comparison.
Keep exploring
Hand-picked next reads to make your Taipei plan smoother.
Ready to plan your next stop?
Start with a simple loop: one neighborhood stroll, one iconic sight, and one night market. Taipei rewards balance.
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.