Datong District, Taipei

Datong District
Chinese : 大同區
Dihua Street Market
Old name: Dadaocheng (大稻埕)
Region	Western Taipei
Director	Huang Weiyun (黃微雲)
Area  ■ Total	Ranked 12th of 12 5.6815 km²
Population  ■ Total  ■ Density	Ranked 11th of 12 123,499[1] 21,737/km²
Villages (里; li)	25
Neighborhoods (鄰; lin)	516
ROC zip code	103
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Datong District (Chinese: 大同區; pinyin: Dàtóng Qū; Wade–Giles: Ta-t'ung Chü; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tāi-tông-khu; literally "Great Harmony District") is a district of Taipei City, Taiwan. It is located between the Taipei Metro Red Line and eastern shore of the Tamsui River, and between Civic Boulevard and the Sun Yat-sen Freeway. The southern part of this area was previously the site of Dadaocheng, one of the first settlements in what is now Taipei and for a time the area's commercial center.^[1]

The Dihua Market has many buildings built during the Japanese colonial era.

The Taipei Confucius Temple is adorned with southern Fujian-style ceramic adornments.

Overview

Taipei's commercial center has since shifted south east to Zhongzheng, Daan and Xinyi, and Datong is far less important economically. One of the last vestiges of Dadaocheng's commercial importance disappeared with the closing of the Jiancheng Circle market in 2006. The north was the site of the village of Dalongdong.

History

During the Qing Dynasty, the district was initially named Balanbong, which was renamed to Dalongtong in 1844. Following the Second Opium War, a port was opened in Dadaocheng for international trade. Foreign trade resulted in the economic development of the district. In 1946, the name was changed again to the current Datong. In 1990, the district merged with neighboring Jiancheng and Yanping Districts to create today's Datong District.^[1] The district is named after the Confucian notion of utopia.

Tourism

It is most notable for its Japanese colonial era and Qing dynasty architecture, especially along Dihua Street (迪化街). It is also famous for the Dihua (Tihua) Street Market during the Lunar New Year holidays. The market sells dried fruits, nuts, dried meats, dried seafood, snacks, and health drinks.^[1]

Other attractions in Datong include the Taipei Confucius Temple and the Bao-an Temple in the Dalongdong area, and the Xiahai City God Temple near Dihua Street.^[1] Datong also contains the Yongle Market (also on Dihua Street), Ningxia Night Market, Yansan Night Market, and Dalong Night Market.

Transportation

Datong is served by the Taipei Metro Red Line and Orange Line. It will also be served by the future Songshan Line.

By road, the district is served by National Highway No. 1, Provincial Highway No. 1, and Provincial Highway No. 2.

It is also the location of the Taipei Bus Station, the largest bus terminal in the city.

Notable people

• Frank Hsieh (謝長廷), politician

External links

• Datong District Office, Taipei City

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} "About Datong District". Taipei City Government. 2010-01-11. http://english.taipei.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=1104394&ctNode=27831&mp=100002. Retrieved 2010-07-18.