Dadaocheng district, Taipei

Dadaocheng is the historic centre of Taipei and it remains low rise and quaint despite being a popular hangout. It was buzzing on this Sunday morning (shops were open surprisingly early) with a large pedestrian zone, cute craft shops, trendy coffee shops, snacks carts and a busy temple. There are many shops here dating back 100 years and the low-rise architecture and historic buildings give it a peaceful vibe. The City God temple houses the God of love statue, and it was packed with people going to make offerings in their quest to find love. There was also a small museum dedicated to keeping cool, with the history of shaved ice and ice cream. Many of the shops are built around a courtyard which is lovely and keeps you cool. To the west of the main street you can cross the highway and walk along the riverside which seemed popular for bike rentals and the oldies were out playing croquet.Read more