Daqiaotou (大橋頭) means "an end of a big bridge" in Mandarin. The bridge refers to Taipei Bridge (台北大橋), which crossed the thinest part of Tamsui River (淡水河), linking Taipei to Sanchong District (三重區) in New Taipei City.
Being one of the most important way to enter Taipei, the first version Taipei Bridge was built with wood in 1889 (Qin dynasty). After distroyed by typhoons for several times, the third version Taipei Bridge was made of iron in 1925 (Japanese-colonized period). The iron bridge becomes one of Taipei scenic landmark - "Iron Bridge sunset" (鐵橋夕照). Even the iron bridge was replaced by current concrete bridge, its image stil lives in old Taipei people's mind.
Along with traffic route people gather and then communities always form. People developed business at Daqiaotou, so nowadays you can still see many trading company in this area. Nonetheless, this place also keep traditional Taipei-flavor food. If you come here at daytime, you can find them in the market nearby or in the restaurants under the bridge. You will definitely get suprised so many kinds of food for breakfast that you seldom see in other places. We also recommand you come here at night, and let this cache lead you to the famous market, Yensan night market (延三夜市). You can sit in a foldable iron chair and enjoy some vendor food with local people. That's the real Taipei-style.