The name of Dadaocheng means "a big rice-drying field", but the rice-drying activity merely last for less than 50 years. As the northest inland port of Tamsui River, Dadaocheng was the biggest business trading center in Tawan in 19th centry. Although it was no longer for international trading, you can still take the yacht streaming down along Tamsui River.
Walking out the water gate, you will meet the biggest tradition market street in Taiwan, Dihua Street. Taipei locals would come and crowd around here preparing food for Lunar New Year, so we recommend you visiting on the other days. The street remains the old-Taipei style, but some shops used to trading tea, rice, or clothes, hace been rebuilt as coffee shops, exhibition space, or rooms for creative industries. You will enjoy the interesting atmosphere that the new stuff blended with vintage.