Douliu Taiping Old Street 斗六太平老街

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Taiping Old Street in Douliu is a well-preserved historic area with century-old baroque-style buildings dating back to the Japanese era of Taiwan. Here you can find many restaurants that serve local snacks and delicacies such as squid soup, taro ball soup, spring onion pancakes, and more. It is usually a popular and busy spot, especially on holidays and weekends. 

Historical Background:
Before Chinese settlers came to the area, Yunlin was inhabited by the Hoanya (洪雅族) native tribespeople, who named the area Tawrag. During the Dutch era in Taiwan in the 1600s, Chinese farmers first began to move here. The native people named the area and translated Tawrag into Taiwanese as Táu-la̍k-mn̂g (Douliumen 斗六門 in Mandarin). The area was also under Dutch control during the Dutch colonization of Taiwan.
By the Qing Dynasty, Douliumen had become a sizable community mostly comprised of Hoanya Aborigines, but more and more Chinese merchants began to set up shops in the city.
During the Douliumen Battle in 1862, the settlement was taken over by rebels led by Dai Chaichun but was retaken by the Qing Army in 1863.
After the Japanese took control of Taiwan in 1895, anti-Japanese forces fought the Japanese in Douliu as part of the Yiwei War.
During the ROC era, Yunlin County was established in 1950 and Douliu was made the County Seat. With over 100,000 people, Douliu is the most populous administrative region in Yunlin.

Taiping Old Street is located on Taiping Road in Douliu City and is about 600 meters long. Historically, Taiping Road has always been Douliu's main commercial street and serves as a connecting road to rural areas around the city. The buildings on the old street are primarily designed in the Baroque style and many are over 90 years old dating back to the Japanese Era. The old street is full of many restaurants that serve local snacks and delicacies such as squid soup, taro ball soup, spring onion pancakes, and more. It is usually a popular spot, especially on holidays and weekends. However, it is a busy street and is not a blocked-off pedestrian area. 

Hours:
24/7
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Price:
Free

Where to stay:
We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here).
We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here)
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.
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Activities and Tours in Yunlin: 
Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. 
You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. 

Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. 
You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. 

How to get there:
By Scooter: From Provincial Highway 1, go west to Douliu. Taiping Street is right in the center of town. There is free parking on the side of the road.
Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
By Car: From National Freeway 3, get off at the Douliu Exit and keep going west until you reach Douliu City. Taiping Street is right in the center of town. There is free parking on the side of the road.
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. 
By Train: The Old Street is within walking distance of Douliu TRA Station. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here. You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. ​
By HSR: From Yunlin HSR Station, you can take bus 201 for about 40 minutes to Douliu TRA Station. The Train Station is within walking distance of the old street. 
You can book tickets to Yunlin via high speed rail (HSR)  on Klook here or KKDay here. 
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. 

Map:
Please see below:

Our Journey:

I have been to Douliu's Taiping Old Street twice. It is unique among Taiwan's old streets to me because it has many well-preserved baroque-style buildings, but Taiping Street is still very busy with lots of cars and scooters; it is still the main street in Douliu City (other popular old streets close for only pedestrian traffic). There are also many busy and popular restaurants and snacking location along the old street which seem like the go-to spots for locals. It is not a super touristy place, but just happens to be the most bust street in Douliu with the best food and historical significance. 

We visited the old street at night and decided to have dinner there. 

We hit up this traditional noodle shop.

We tried this Wǎn guǒ (碗粿) in Mandarin, or uánn-kué in Taiwanese, which is gluttonous rice served with pork. It was good.

We also tried this bowl of egg rice or Dàn fàn (蛋飯) in Mandarin, which is just scrambled egg and rice. Also delicious. 

View of the old street at night. Most of the shops here sell food or clothes. 

A good view of some of the well preserved baroque style facades on the buildings built during the Japanese era. 

More of the old street buildings, many of which are uncovered and untarnished with bright colored signs.

An old shop that once sold tobacco/cigarettes.

One of the old buildings now sells underwear.

Façade with the surname Liao (廖) on top. 

Another view down the old street.

Another old building now converted into a clothing shop.

More clothing shops along the old street.

Old façade mixed with modern iron bars. 

Last view of the old street.

​Don't forget there are many other activities and places to see in Yunlin such as Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing, Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. 
You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. 
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You can check out our full guide to Yunlin here.

You can also see our full guide to Taiwan here.

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