Dihua Street Taipei Guide 2026: Half-Day Itinerary

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Dihua Street & Dadaocheng

An Authentic Taipei Half-Day Itinerary

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Experience the nostalgic charm of old Taiwan

with this Dihua Street and Dadaocheng travel route.

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Located just a 20-minute walk or a single MRT stop

from the bustling tourist hub of Ximending,

these historic neighborhoods remain hidden gems waiting to be explored.

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While popular spots like Yongkang Street and Zhongshan

are often packed with international tourists,

Dadaocheng offers a refreshingly authentic, local vibe.

We barely saw any other tourists while wandering around!

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Because it's so close to Ximending,

it's incredibly easy to fit into a half-day or full-day schedule.

If you're craving a genuine local experience, this is for you.

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Taipei After Hours

Words & Photos by Gyoni-pick

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1. Dihua Street, Taipei

📍 Ximen
No. 32-1, Baoqing Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100

📍 Dihua Street
Section 1, Dihua St, Datong District, Taipei City, Taiwan 103

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Dihua Street perfectly preserves Taipei's historic alleyways.

Every corner is lined with stunning red-brick architecture,

traditional medicine shops, craft stores, and quaint tea houses.

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How to Get There from Ximending

✅ By MRT

Ximen Station → Beimen Station (1 stop, approx. 2 mins)

Beimen Station Exit 3 → 10-minute walk

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✅ By Foot

Approx. 20-minute walk

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📌 Tip: Unless it's a sweltering 90°F day, I highly recommend walking.

The route is filled with charming local shops and cafes perfect for browsing.

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Exploring Dihua Street

There is so much to see tucked away in these alleys.

From herbal apothecaries and dried fruit vendors to pottery shops and bookstores.

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I wanted to buy some loose-leaf tea to take home, but got overwhelmed by the choices!

That's what happens when you travel spontaneously without a plan.

Next time, I'll definitely do my research before tea shopping.

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Tea House Recommendation: Dihua Halfday Tea House

📍 Dihua Halfday Tea House (半日茶屋)
No. 133, Section 1, Dihua St, Datong District, Taipei City, Taiwan 103

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Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM

Reservations available via Google Maps

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When in Dihua Street, swapping your daily coffee for traditional tea is a must.

But I have to admit, finding this specific tea house was a bit of a struggle.

I walked in circles, accidentally went into the wrong places,

and eventually had to take a break before trying to locate it again.

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Google Maps kept telling me I had arrived, but there was no tea house in sight.

It turns out the layout is uniquely designed as a "shop-in-shop."

There's a completely different business tucked behind the storefront you see from the street!

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Dihua Halfday Tea House is hidden behind a pottery shop.

You have to literally walk through the pottery store to find the entrance in the back.

It's not just my bad sense of direction—it's genuinely easy to miss!

It's a very cool, speakeasy-style concept for a tea house.

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After all the confusion, making it to the tea house was incredibly rewarding.

I originally wanted to visit for the gorgeous outdoor courtyard, and it did not disappoint. ♥

It felt like stepping into a peaceful, totally different world away from the busy street.

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The prices are a bit on the premium side, but the aroma and flavor of the tea were exceptional.

It also came with a light, subtly sweet dessert that paired perfectly with the brew.

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2. Dadaocheng Wharf, Taipei

📍 Dadaocheng Wharf Plaza
103 Taiwan, Taipei City, Datong District

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Dadaocheng is widely known for having one of the most beautiful sunsets in Taipei.

It's the perfect alternative if you don't have enough time to travel all the way out to Tamsui.

Honestly, the sunset here is just as breathtaking.

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How to Get There

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It's less than a 10-minute walk from Dihua Street,

so we slowly made our way over just in time for golden hour.

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To head back to Ximending, we opted for the bus.

Walking takes about 20 to 30 minutes,

and walking back to the MRT is another 10+ minutes.

Thankfully, there's a bus stop right at the Dadaocheng entrance that goes directly to Ximending.

Just hop on Bus 17!

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True to form, I also struggled to find this bus stop. ^^

It doesn't look like a typical bus stop at all!

Don't wander out to the main road—it's located right in front of the bicycle parking area.

Hopefully, this tip saves you from wandering around like I did. :)

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Exploring Dadaocheng Wharf

The area beautifully preserves its traditional port city heritage,

while seamlessly blending in modern elements like a lively food truck plaza.

(It has a very vibrant, communal waterfront park energy!)

The food trucks typically operate from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM,

and it's a huge hotspot for the local Gen Z crowd.

You'll find a great mix of local Taiwanese bites, alongside burgers, pizza, and more.

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Watching couples, friends, and families taking photos during sunset

was such a wholesome, joyful experience.

The sunset was so stunning, I definitely got a little sentimental.

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Whether people were cycling, jogging, or just staring peacefully at the water,

everyone was enjoying the golden hour in their own way.

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3. Recommended Itinerary Summary

* Tip: Time your departure so you arrive at Dadaocheng just before sunset.

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✅ Arrive at Beimen Station

Ximen Station → Beimen Station (1 stop)

Exit 3 → Dihua Street (Approx. 10-minute walk)

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✅ Explore Dihua Street

Grab a coffee or a meal

Browse handicrafts, apothecaries, and Yongle Fabric Market

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✅ Stroll Around Dadaocheng Wharf

✨ Famous sunset spot (check the sunset time!)

Grab some snacks from the food trucks

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✅ Dinner at Ningxia Night Market

Feast on cheesy potatoes, Lu Rou Fan (braised pork rice), and fried squid

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🕙 Total Time Needed

Dihua Street & Dadaocheng: Approx. 3-4 hours

Including Night Market: Approx. 5-6 hours

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Time seems to slow down in Dihua Street and Dadaocheng.

Being so close to Ximending makes it an effortless half-day trip,

or you can stretch it into a relaxed full-day itinerary by ending at the night market.

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From bustling local markets and serene hidden tea houses to stunning sunsets,

this area lets you experience the true charm of Taipei at 200%.

I hope this guide helps you plan a wonderful, authentic trip to Taipei! :)