Longshan Temple & Dadaocheng Walking Tour: Private History

Longshan Temple, North Gate, Dadaocheng's markets and two centuries of Taipei trade

A private walking tour of Taipei starting at Longshan Temple, one of the city's oldest temples, then moving through Dadaocheng: the 19th-century neighborhood built around Taiwan's tea trade. The guide leads you through narrow streets lined with textile boutiques, coffee shops and cafes, stops at the Xiahai City God Temple, and visits either a restored 1934 tea shop or a family-run tea factory where you'll see how Taiwanese tea is produced and stored. The tour takes four hours and runs in English, Spanish or Chinese.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Longshan Temple45m
2. Dihua Streetpassing by
3. Xiahai City God Temple30m

Explore Longshan Temple and Dadaocheng

• Meet guide at MRT Longshan Temple Exit 1
• Visit Longshan Temple
• Take MRT to Taipei North Gate
• Visit Beimen North Gate
• Walk to Dadaocheng entrance
• Explore fabric market and tailor shops
• Visit City God Temple
• Visit Sin Hong Choon or Wang tea shop
• Walk through Dadaocheng Wharf

The experience

You meet your guide outside MRT Longshan Temple station and head straight into the temple itself: one of Taipei's most iconic sites, with ornate Buddhist and Taoist decoration that shows how spiritual life works in the city. From there, a short MRT ride takes you to Beimen North Gate, the only surviving gate from Taipei's original city walls, built in 1884 during the Qing Dynasty.

The walk then moves into Dadaocheng, the neighborhood that grew up to handle Taiwan's 19th-century tea trade. Dihua Street is Taipei's main textile hub, housed in a historic building with tailor shops and a wet market downstairs. The Xiahai City God Temple sits at the heart of Dadaocheng's history: founded shortly after the first settlers arrived on Dihua Street, it's also known locally as a place to pray for romance. Depending on availability, you'll visit either Sin Hong Choon, a beautifully restored three-story building from 1934 that once served as a tea shop, factory and warehouse, or Wang Tea, run by the Wang family since they moved to Taiwan from China in 1890. At Wang, the staff and your guide walk you through the basic tea types (oolong, black, green, tieguanyin), and demonstrate a traditional Taiwanese tea ceremony, showing how tea is produced and stored. The tour ends at Dadaocheng Wharf, a scenic spot on the Tamsui River with food stalls and views of the water.

What’s included

• A private guide fluent in English, Spanish or Chinese.
• MRT transportation between Longshan Temple and Beimen North Gate.
• entry to Longshan Temple and the Xiahai City God Temple.
• a visit to either Sin Hong Choon tea shop or Wang Tea with a traditional tea ceremony demonstration at Wang.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:30 and 14:00

Book up to2d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by HolaTaipei Travel

Is this one for you?Four hours is enough to move through three major sites without rushing, but leaves the rest of your day free for meals or other neighborhoods. The private guide means you set the pace through Dadaocheng's narrow streets and can linger at whichever temple or tea shop interests you most.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Chinese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Longshan Temple like when I get there?

Longshan Temple is one of Taipei's oldest and most iconic temples, decorated with exquisite Buddhist and Taoist styles. You'll visit it at the start of the tour, right after meeting your guide at the MRT station.

Do I need to use public transportation during this tour?

Yes. You'll take Taipei's MRT for a short ride from Longshan Temple to Beimen North Gate, then walk through Dadaocheng from there. Public transportation is included as part of the route.

Will I learn about tea on this tour?

Yes, if you visit Wang Tea, which is available depending on the day. The staff and your guide will walk you through the basic types of tea and demonstrate how to perform a traditional Taiwanese tea ceremony, plus show you how tea is produced and stored.

What is Dadaocheng and why does it matter?

Dadaocheng is one of Taipei's oldest neighborhoods, developed in the 19th century to support Taiwan's thriving tea trade business. Today it's known for Dihua Street, the city's top textile hub, historic temples, and restored buildings that show what the area looked like when it was a major trading center.

Can I bring a stroller or wheelchair on this walking tour?

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Service animals are allowed. The route involves walking through narrow historic streets, so you may want to check the specific terrain with the operator if you have mobility concerns.