Readers’ Photos

Local Memories: The Charm of Old Streets

July 2023

中文日本語

Night Scene in Old Jiufen (Wang Chaoteng)

Jiufen is a small town in New Taipei City’s Ruifang District. In earlier times there was a flourishing gold mining industry here, and it was known as the “mountain city of gold.” Sitting by a window and taking in the beautiful scenery, with the lights of Keelung reflecting off the clouds, one can see the old-fashioned charm of the teahouses and steeply sloping streets where the film City of Sadness was shot. The town has proven especially attractive to international tourists.

An Old Train and a Sky Lantern (Xiao Ruling)

Shifen Station in New Taipei City’s Pingxi District is the largest station on the Pingxi Line, which in its early days was used mainly to transport coal. At Lantern Festival, Shifen hosts some of the “sky lantern” events for which Pingxi is known internationally, and throughout the year the trains carrying an endless stream of tourists back and forth to enjoy the laid-back mood of Pingxi.

Dynamism in Old Daxi (Chen Xiumei)

The old quarter of Daxi in Taoyuan has a unique charm both by day and by night, and this historic street weaves its way through local memories. The nearby Puji Temple also has well over a century of history behind it, and the celebrations and processions held there every year bring even more dynamism to Old Daxi.

The Third Prince on an Old Street (Xiao Qingliang)

The celebration of the birthday of the Holy Emperor Guan is a major annual event in Daxi. The entire town is immersed in the carnival-like mood of folk performance troupe processions, which give expression to traditional religious beliefs. The highlights of the festival are these processions through the old streets of Daxi, and the Third Prince performances.

Beipu’s Citian Temple (Wang Shiguang)

Citian Temple is more than 150 years old and is a Hsinchu County historic site. Many local activities are held in the plaza in front of the temple. In this photo a group of children enjoy a folk music performance there.

The Cultural Richness of Old Lugang (Chen Xiumei)

A stroll through the old streets of Lugang in Changhua County bathes one in nostalgia. One can take a trishaw ride to visit Osmanthus Alley and Gentlemen Alley (Moru Alley), or explore the majestic Tianhou Temple and Longshan Temple (a Grade 1 national historic site), while drinking in the old town’s historic ambience.

Mofan Street on Kinmen (Huang Wenyin)

Mofan Street in Jincheng on the island of Kinmen features red-brick arcades which have a richly nostalgic ambience. Built in the 1920s, the street displays classic Southern Fujianese architecture and is a popular spot with tourists.

Riding in a Rickshaw (Xiao Ruling)

The old part of Fugang in Taoyuan’s Yangmei District features Baroque-style architecture. Taking a rickshaw on the day of the Fugang Railway Art Festival, one can admire the buildings and scenic sports that define the locality, as if taking a leisurely cultural stroll.

Old Townhouses on Dihua Street (Wang Changlin)

Dihua Street in Taipei’s Dadaocheng area presents a blend of Southern Fujianese and European architectural styles. The gabled red-brick facades with washed terrazzo ornaments are typical of historical commercial districts in Taiwan. These century-old shops symbolize the area’s rich history, and are also valuable assets for restoring its heritage.

Torches at Lantern Festival (Li Shengzhang)

Beipu Township in Hsinchu County has the unique tradition of celebrating Lantern Festival with a torchlight procession. Thousands of people stroll through the old streets of the historic town at night, holding their bamboo torches high and experiencing the special atmosphere of Lantern Festival together.