The Ruins at Kangding Road (Bopiliao Old Street + The Red House)

Using my google maps, we head on our way to our next destination. Google told us that there was an ancient street found near our place. Exactly 1.1 km away from our hotel. Equivalent to at least 12-15 minutes walk.

Also Read: Modern Toilet Restaurant

Wearing Uniqlo Pants & Sweater, Giordano shirt, Call it Spring shoes

Bopiliao Old Street is a place where visitors can see well-preserved streets and traditional shop homes from the Qing period. It is also where you can find buildings from the Japanese occupation and early post-war periods. Among the historic buildings here are the Taipei home of the eminent scholar Chang Tai-yan (at No. 123 Guangzhou Street), Yongxing Tingchuantou Store, Song Xie-Xing Rice Store, residence of Dr. Lu A-chang, Rixiang Travel Agency, Taiyo Bindery, Xiuying Teashop, Changshou Teashop, Weiling (Taoist) Shrine, and Public Bath. Longshan (lungshan) Temple and shops selling spirit money, Chinese medicine, herbs and Buddhist implements further add to the historical and cultural charms of this area.

We arrived at the area almost 5 pm. It was a failure again on our side that we didn’t research info thoroughly first before heading to the place.  It was 5 minutes away before closing, but luckily we manage to still have a look inside and take some nice photos. I think the establishment that we went into was part of the Heritage and Culture Education Center of Taipei. We were actually the last persons to go out of the place.

 This looks like a school 

 Random rooms we weren’t able to visit, which we just able to see at the window outside

Accepting our failure to really be able to feel the area, we decided to walk a few more in hopes to find something nicer along the way. And we did, what we thought as the whole area of Bopiliao was just a portion of the Bopiliao Historic Block.

 This is so industrial, I would love to setup a photography session in this place. 

 This reminds me of Vigan 

 Bathrooms for ladies and gents are also available in the area. You can sit down and relax to some rooms

The Bopiliao Old Street is located along Lane 173, Kangding Road south of Laosong Elementary School in Taipei’s Wanhua District. This street extends north to the school and south to Guangzhou Street. Laosong Elementary School was built in 1896, earning the school’s northern building designation as a city historic site.

 I am not sure if these dolls are for sale but they sure are a bit creepy, check out the close-up on the next photo. 

After spending more than an hour roaming the old street, we decided to head on to the nearest MRT station, the Longshan Temple Station.

 Trying out some local drinks

 Longshan Temple Station

From Longshan, we went down to Ximen station which is the nearest MRT station near our hotel. Ximen is one of the busiest places in Taipei. It is where different shopping buildings are located.

Across the station, you will find “The Red House.” I actually mistook the place as Red Horse instead of the Red House. It was under construction when we came a the place. At the back, there was the Red House 16 GongFang, which is a creative boutique that houses wonderful handcrafts and independent brands that have that local Taipei culture.

The Red House is the brick building that looks like a small castle

 This is the view at night, on the other side of the road. A concert is being held when we arrived

 If you are planning to look for some artsy stuff for gifts, this is the perfect place to visit. 

 I’m wondering what creature is this one, a dragon? or a cat? a cow? or maybe a mix? 

 I really love this shop, that I want o bring the items here in the Philippines. I just do not know if this would be a hit here. 

At the back, there was a stretch of restaurants waiting to be tried on. But a pizza dinner was waiting for us at the hotel so we decided to just turn our heads back and went straight home.

 Random artsy shops on our way home that is a bit intimidating to enter. 

In the morning another fun adventure awaits…

To be continued. . .

Also Read: Taipei Day 1: Elephant Mountain | Taipei Day 2: Maokong Gondola | Taiwan 101: Things you need to know

Until our next discovery in the City!

またね Mata ne! 

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