Taipei has no shortage of tourist-heavy areas, and it’s easy to spend most of your time moving between the usual spots. Datong District felt different. It’s busy, but in a more local, lived-in way, and it doesn’t have the same pull for tourists as places like Ximending. That said, it still has plenty to see, just in a quieter, less obvious way.
You can explore it in half a day if you’re focused, but it’s also easy to stretch it into a full day if you take your time, wandering into small shops, and stopping more often than planned. There’s a lot of character here, and it doesn’t feel overly curated.
I was also staying in this area, so it ended up being the first place I explored on this trip. Having been to Taipei twice before, I didn’t feel the need to rush into the usual checklist, and Datong felt like an easy, low-pressure way to start.
3 Places to Visit in Datong District
1. Dihua Old Street
Start at Dihua Old Street, which is probably the most recognisable part of the area, lined with preserved buildings that give it a slightly nostalgic feel without being overly staged. There’s a mix of traditional shops selling dried goods and herbs alongside more modern stores and cafes. It can get crowded, but it still feels more local than touristy. I found it easy to just walk slowly and take everything in.
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| Dihua Old Street |
As I walked further along, the street shifted slightly depending on the stretch. Some parts felt more polished, with newer shops and curated spaces, while others leaned more traditional, with long-standing stores that hadn’t changed much. It didn’t feel overly curated, which made wandering through it feel a bit more natural and unforced.
2. Dadaocheng Wharf and Dadaocheng Container Market
From Dihua Old Street, it’s a short walk to Dadaocheng Wharf, which opens up into a much wider, more relaxed space by the river. The atmosphere shifts quite a bit here, especially towards the afternoon when more people start gathering. It’s a nice change of pace after the narrower streets.
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| view from Dadaocheng Wharf |
Right next to it is the Dadaocheng Container Market, made up of colourful shipping containers converted into food stalls and seating areas. It’s a bit more modern and slightly more curated, but still casual. This is a great place to take a break and get something to eat before heading to your next stop.
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| food stalls and crafts market |
3. Ningxia Night Market
Ending the day at Ningxia Night Market made the most sense since it’s not far from the rest of the area. It’s more compact than some of Taipei’s bigger night markets, making it easier to navigate without feeling overwhelmed. The focus here is really on food, with stalls packed closely together and very little else in between.
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| one of the food stalls at Ningxia Night Market |
Personally, I still find night markets overwhelming in general – there are just so many choices and so many people. I took my time walking through, stopping at a few stalls that caught my attention rather than trying to cover everything.
I ended up grabbing some deep-fried chicken first because I was starting to get hungry and needed something quick to eat while figuring out what else to try. In the end, I decided to get lu rou fan, or braised pork rice, to-go and eat it back at my hotel since it was a weekend and every place with seating was full.
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| lu rou fan or braised pork rice |
Datong District ended up being a slower, more relaxed start to my trip. It’s not as immediately striking as other parts of Taipei, but that’s exactly why I enjoyed it. It felt easier to take my time here without feeling like I was missing out on anything, and I didn’t feel the need to rush from one spot to another. This was a good way to ease into the trip, especially since I’d already seen the more popular areas on previous visits.
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