Taipei Old Roundabout: Memories and Flavors of a City

#November Destinations 2025 🕰️ Taipei Old Roundabout: Memories and Flavors of a City For older generations of Taipei residents, Taipei's Old Roundabout is not just a geographical landmark, but also a golden age filled with everyday delicacies and vibrant memories. It carries over a century of history, witnessing the rise and fall of Taipei's western district. 🌳From Park: Planning During the Japanese Occupation The history of the Old Roundabout can be traced back to the "Urban Redevelopment" plan proposed by the Japanese Taiwan Governor-General's Office in 1899. In 1908, a circular space was planned at the intersection of Chongqing North Road, Nanjing West Road, Ningxia Road, and Tianshui Road. Seven-mile jasmine was planted around the perimeter, and banyan trees and benches were placed in the center, creating a "round park" for public relaxation. ✨The Emergence of a Night Market: With the opening of the Tamsui Railway, this area became the heart of the bustling Dadaocheng district. Vendors began to gather, gradually forming a lively night market. ☀️A Glorious Era: A Food Paradise in a City That Never Sleeps After World War II, Roundabout experienced its most glorious period. Post-War Reconstruction: Land previously used as air-raid shelters was filled in, vendors regrouped, and the Roundabout Night Market officially took shape. Western District Landmark: Around the 1960s, the number of vendors in Roundabout increased, making it a well-known commercial district on par with Longshan Temple in Wanhua District, and one of Taipei's most bustling food hubs, known as the "City That Never Sleeps." A variety of Taiwanese snacks, such as braised pork rice, oyster omelets, rice dumplings, and shark fin soup, became a shared taste for many long-time Taipei residents. 📸Decline and Reconstruction: A Tumultuous Fate In its later years, Roundabout began to face the challenges of urban development and fire disasters. Fire Impact: Two major fires in 1993 and 1999 severely impacted Roundabout's commercial activities, leading to its gradual decline. 💫The Birth of the New Roundabout: In 2002, a new glass curtain wall building designed by renowned architect C.Y. Lee was completed and reopened as a "Taiwanese food street," attempting to recapture its former glory. 🩷Unable to Revive: Despite efforts from all sides, the new roundabout failed to operate smoothly due to various factors and ultimately closed in 2006, failing to extend the life of the old roundabout. The End of History and the Oasis of New Life 🫧Demolition and Rebirth: In 2016, the Taipei City Government decided to demolish this controversial modern building, bringing an end to the roundabout's century-old history. The Jiancheng Roundabout Today: The Jiancheng Roundabout has now been transformed into an urban green plaza, preserving the original well and incorporating fountains, rest facilities, and greenery, becoming a space for citizens to reminisce about the past and relax. The story of Jiancheng Roundabout is like a miniature history of Taipei's western district development. While its former culinary vibrancy is now a memory, it remains a space brimming with stories, existing in another form in the urban memory of Taipei residents. #JianchengRoundabout #TaipeiHistoricalAttractions #DatongDistrict 📍 Jiancheng Roundabout Transportation Information Jiancheng Roundabout is located in Datong District, Taipei City, near the famous Ningxia Night Market and Dihua Street shopping district. 🚇 MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) Shuanglian Station (Tamsui-Xinyi Line/Red Line): After exiting the MRT station, walk south along Ningxia Road for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. 🚌 Bus Several bus routes stop at "Jiancheng Roundabout Station" or "Roundabout Station". Major routes include 12, 42, 52, 282, 304, and 669.