Yesterday, I visited Dihua Street [迪化街], Taipei’s biggest Chinese New Year market. The last time I visited was during Chinese New Year, so most of the crowds and many of the stalls were already gone. This time was extremely busy. Despite how crowded it was, everyone was in a good mood and in the holiday spirit. If you visit, be sure to go on an empty stomach, because most of the vendors give out plenty of free samples.
There were a couple of different crews filming when I visited, the young woman above was hosting either a travel show or a news piece. Another crew I encountered later was filming the crowds, I gave one cameraman a “台灣加油“ [Taiwan GO!] and received a thumbs up in return.
At Dihua Street you can find traditional New Year foods, Chinese medicine and herbs, fabric, toys, and other Chinese New Year items.
Since it was really crowded, I didn’t have much time or space to compose shots, so I usually just held out my camera at arm’s length and pressed the shutter. I got various results this way, it wasn’t until after I left that I remembered my camera had a Live View function.
I originally planned to walk the length of the market on one side of the street and then walk back on the other side of the street. Just walking halfway through the market took longer than I expected so I scrapped the idea of walking both sides.
I’ll leave you with the goods:
Yeah, I never use live view either. You’ve got a talent for photos with girls smiling.
mmm yummy~~ food pics are da best
Brian – I think that’s mostly because I’m a very non-threatening looking person. Seriously, my goldfish isn’t even scared of me.
Thanks Dennis!
Great photos, Todd. I never did find the time to go to Dihua Street this year.
Thanks Carrie. I think I’ve satisfied my annual craving to walk with a densely packed crowd.
Nice set of photos Todd. Really like the top one… so typical!
Wow, 迪化街… I miss so much the time I lived there! I can tell you it’s an awesome place to live in Taipei, people are always very friendly and it’s colourful all through the year.
Michael – I think the top one captures the whole event best.
Pedro – I imagine I would get pretty tired of living on Dihua Street after about a couple of days of the New Year’s market opening.
This is the coolest little blog!
I am bringing my husband and daughter to Taiwan. I have been feeling a little upset because I thought I wouldn’t be able to find yarn, candy, etc. After living in Chengdu for a year, I was disappointed that I couldn’t get comfort things such as jelly bears, chocolate of any good type and beans for Indian dishes. Forget cool yarns…
After reading your blog and seeing what a beautiful city Taipei is, and knowing I can get beads and yarn and quilting supplies, I feel more and more excited to come and live for a while!!!! YEAH TAIPEI!!!!
So tell me this…can I buy washed unspun wool for spinning using a spindle? I do spinning and dying at home…where can I get the supplies for this? Thanks a heap! Your blog is awesome!
Yeshi
Yeshi
Hello Yeshi,
Unfortunately, I don’t know where you can buy unspun wool in Taiwan. Perhaps the webmasters of http://shuflies.blogspot.com/ or http://ilovericesociety.com/ can help.
Your blog is causing homesick for me….. Thanks for the beautiful and vivid pics you have taken about my home country.
My pleasure!