Xinzhuang Old Street 新莊老街

Historical Background:

Xinzhuang Temple Street Commercial District is a shopping and night market area in Xinzhuang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan, centered around Xintai Road, Xinzhuang Road, Bijiang Street, and Jingde Road, where visitors can find clothing, shoes, and a wide variety of local street food, especially in the evening when it is often called the Xinzhuang Night Market. The area is one of the earliest developed parts of Xinzhuang, dating back to the Qing Dynasty when it served as an important port along the Tamsui River, attracting trade from China and Japan and becoming an early hub of development. As a result, many historic temples remain, along with old street names and some preserved Baroque-style buildings. The district is also known for its vibrant religious festivals, such as the Wuwen Dazhongye Festival and celebrations for Mazu and Guandi, as well as its cultural heritage, including traditional puppet theater, and it is surrounded by numerous historic temples and cultural attractions.

Hours:

Roughly 4 PM to 12 PM

Price:

Free

Where to stay:

We recommend Fullon Hotel, which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). 
We have stayed at and recommend ​Gold Mountain Ranch, which is a horse ranch and glamping destination in Jinshan. ​You can book a night at Gold Mountain Ranch on Klook here.  You can also check out our full blog on the ranch here. 
We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home, which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). 

Activities in Taipei:

There are many activities available to enjoy in Taipei, such as kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, SUP / paddle boarding, water biking, and more activities which you can book on Klook here or KKday here. 

How to get there:

By Car/Scooter: From Taipei, take provincial highway 1 west to Xinzhuang. The old street is south of Xinzhuang MRT Station. There is limited paid parking nearby. The closest parking may be near the riverside.
Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
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 MRT/Bus: Take the yellow line to Xinzhuang MRT Station. The old street is just a short walk from the station. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook 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 use Taiwan’s many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 

Map:

Please see below to see:

Our Journey:

I have been to Xinzhuang Old Street only once. It is a bit out of the way if you do not live in the area, but it has great access to the MRT via Xinzhuang MRT Station. This Old Street is one of the few places in Taiwan that can call itself an old street, a shopping district, and a night market. The area sees lots of foot traffic from Furen University, local high schools, and Xinzhuang Baseball Stadium. Overall, I had a great time here, and I would recommend visiting.

Xinzhuang Wusheng Temple 新莊武聖廟

Wusheng Temple, also known as Xinzhuang Guandi Temple, is a historic temple dedicated to Guan Sheng Dijun (the deified general Guan Yu) and was originally established in 1760 during the Qing Dynasty, making it one of the earliest Guandi temples in the Taipei Basin. Built during a time when Xinzhuang was a thriving commercial port, the temple became closely associated with merchants who worshipped Guan Yu as a patron of loyalty and righteousness, and the surrounding area developed into a bustling торгов district known as “Fifty-Six Kan.” Over the centuries, the temple underwent multiple expansions and restorations due to conflict, natural disasters, and modernization, including damage from local fighting in 1853 and the 1999 earthquake. Today, it is designated as a municipal historic site and remains an important religious and cultural center, hosting major annual festivals celebrating Guan Yu’s ascension and birthday, while also promoting education and culture through facilities such as a library building.

Xinzhuang Baoyuan Temple 新莊保元宮

Baoyuan Temple, located on the east side of the old street, was originally established in 1776 during the Qing Dynasty and is dedicated primarily to Chi Fu Wangye and Nezha, making it a center of Taiwanese folk religion often referred to as the “Prince Temple” or “Wangye Temple.” According to local legend, Chi Fu Wangye arrived via a drifting ceremonial boat on the Dahan River and promised to help protect the area from flooding, leading ferry operators to build the temple to pray for safe transport and prosperity. Nezha was later added as a co-main deity through various local stories, often connected to dockworkers and flood events, and eventually became equally prominent in worship. The temple also honors several other deities, including Puan Patriarch, Dizang Bodhisattva, and the God of Marriage.

This historic temple is beautiful, and if you have time, you should go explore it.

This place is also known as Xinzhuang Temple Shopping District, and there are quite a few clothing and accessory shops here. This place is not 100% a pedestrian area; there are still a few scooters and an occasional garbage truck that will come through.

Night-market style balloon popping game.

Bettle-nut stand near the road.

There is a lot of traffic around the shopping district area.

Clothing for sale near the old street.

Traditional wedding cake shop.

Yes, the garbage truck came to this area while I was visiting.

View looking back down the old street.

Fried chicken stall.

Xinzhuang Ciyou Temple 新莊慈祐宮

Ciyou Temple in Xinzhuang, originally known as Xinzhuang Tianhou Temple, is a historic Mazu temple founded in 1729 during the Qing Dynasty and now designated as a municipal cultural heritage site. Located along the old temple street facing what was once a busy river port, it played a central role in the area’s early development and maritime life. The temple has undergone multiple reconstructions due to fires, modernization, and urban changes, while preserving valuable architectural features such as stone carvings, inscriptions, and Qing-era artifacts. It is also known for its major annual celebration of Mazu’s birthday and for its cultural significance, including a museum and preserved relics.

Noodle shop.

More accessory shops further down the street.

“Hi-Mart” clothing shop on the street.

Rice and tofu shop.

A shoe store.

Bracelet stall.

Clothes and accessory shop.

More clothes.

100 year old fabric store.

More food stalls spread throughout the old street.

Egg cake stall.

Bag and purse shops.

Steak shop.

Looking down a busier part of the old stret with clothing and snacks.

Phone accessories, shaved ice shop, and claw machine shop.

Noodles and gelatenous rice and pork ball.

Chicken Rice shop.

One last view down the old street on a less popular section on the east side of the street.

Thanks for reading!

Check out our Taipei Old Street guide here.

Check out our Taipei Night Market guide here.

Check out our guide to Taipei here.