Taiwan Attraction – Must-Visit Chinese New Year Market

Here, MyProGuide is going to introduce one of the must-go Taiwan attractions during Chinese New Year - new year market. For Taiwanese, shopping and eating the street food at new year market is absolutely a necessity during every Chinese New Year. Therefore, walking through a new year market, you are able to experience the most authentic culture in Taiwan, such as the yelling vendors, the bargaining customers, and the mouth-watering smell of street food coming from both sides of the roads.

In addition to street food and snacks, there are traditional toys and folk games, which will bring back our childhood memory. And secretly share with you, the most important thing is to try FREE sample almost every stand provides. The big new year markets usually run for about two weeks before Lunar New Year (dates change every year, so check the city’s announcement). Now, let’s explore the new year markets around Taiwan together!

Must-Visit Chinese New Year Market | Dihua Street in Taipei City

In the past, located at the center of Dadaocheng, Dihua Street was said to be the most prosperous street in Taipei. Now, not only does it become a very important place to do new year’s shopping for people live in Taipei, but it also attracts tourists around the world.

What it features most are Chinese medicine and fabrics. Besides, you should try the street food like Mackerel stew and fish balls here. If you have enough time, we advise you to visit the tourist spots near Dihua Street, such as Xiahai Temple, an efficacious temple for praying for your destiny and Yongle Market, where you could find lots of beautiful and delicate fabrics.

Address: Sec 1, Dihua St., Datong Dist., Taipei City, Taiwan.
Transportations: Take the MRT to Beimen Station or Daqiaotou Station and walk about 10 minutes.

Check out the details about spots near Dihua Street:

Top 5 things to do in Dadaocheng — Roam Around The Old Taipei

＊ Let a Taiwan tour guide take you to explore Dihua Street:
Find a local guide or browse our Taiwan tours

Must-Visit Chinese New Year Market | Jiguang Street in Taichung City

Have you ever heard “J&G Fried Chicken”, a very famous chain store selling fried foods? Jiguang Street is the home it originates from. In addition to the street food stalls on both sides, there will be more stalls set up in the middle of the street during Chinese New Year.

Since visiting Jiguang Street, to devour J&G Fried Chicken is a MUST. Besides, try the best-selling honeyed pea shaved ice in Bliss Pavilion Shaved Ice Shop. If you want to buy some souvenirs, the long-established bakery Yi Fu Tang (一福堂), famous for its lemon cakes, is a good choice.

Address: Jiguang St., Central Dist., Taichung City, Taiwan.
Transportations: Take the train or a city bus to Taichung Station, then walk about 10 minutes.

J&G Fried Chicken is a must try street food! If you're brave enough, please give stinky tofu a try

Bliss Pavilion Shaved Ice Shop is very famous at Jiguang Street.

Also read:
Top Night Markets in Taiwan: Your Ultimate Guide on Where to Go and What to Eat
Top 5 Must-eat Winter Dessert in Taiwan

Must-Visit Chinese New Year Market | Xinhua Street in Tainan City

The highlight at Xinhua Street is its old street and its historic traditional shops. Moreover, Tainan government will hold some new year’s activities and set off firecrackers, making the street more lively and bursting with happiness.

Everyone knows that Tainan is the city of delicacies, as well Xinhua Street will never disappoint you. If you have sweet tooth, please try the sweet potato candy and baked sweet potato. If you love some good old taste, milkfish congee and Wa Gui, a bowl of steamed rice pudding, will be the must-try street food.

Address: Jhongshan Rd. and Zhongzheng Rd., Xinhua Dist., Tainan City, Taiwan.
Transportations: Take a Tainan city bus (the Green Line routes serve Xinhua) to the Xinhua stops near the old street; check current routes before you go.

Sweet potato candy is many people's love, so as the baked sweet potato!

Steamed rice pudding and milkfish congee are the featured foods in Tainan.

Also read:
Taiwanese Traditional Market Culture

Must-Visit Chinese New Year Market | Sanfong Central Street in Kaohsiung City

Sanfong Central Street is a market with much history in Kaohsiung. With a light-absorbing shade, people could do new year shopping even if it is a rainy day or sunny day.

Then, what to buy in Sanfong Central Street? In addition to giving savory Tangyuan and ice jelly a try, you could see something interesting here - folk games in the childhood of people in Taiwan, such as the poke-and-win game.

Address: Sanfong Central St., Sanmin Dist., Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.
Transportations: Take the MRT to Kaohsiung Main Station and walk about 10 minutes.

Don't those savory Tangyuan and ice jelly make your mouth watery?

Apart from the delicatessens, dried foods are totally the feature of new year market. For example, beef or pork jerky, which you won’t be able to stop eating. Or the must-buy preserved fruits, made from apples, bananas, mangos or strawberries. For children, candies are their life, such as chewy nougats and sticky maltose cracker sandwich. Families love to put them on the table, so that they could entertain the guests, visiting and greeting them, anytime.

Meat Jerkies

Preserved fruits

Nougat

If you happen to be free during Chinese New Year, don’t hesitate to immerse yourself into the local experience and seek for some cool treasures!

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Cover photo: 玄史生, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons