Yingge Old Street: A Journey Through Time, Culture, and Cuisine

Step into Yingge Old Street and Feel the Pulse of Ceramic Art

Yingge Old Street, also known as Yingge Ceramics Old Street, is located in Yingge District, New Taipei City, and is the birthplace of Taiwan's ceramics industry. Walking into the old street is like stepping into a time tunnel, with ancient red brick buildings and a wide array of ceramic art. It is not only a paradise for ceramic lovers but also a great place to experience Taiwanese traditional culture and taste local cuisine.

The history of ceramics in Yingge can be traced back to the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty (around 1804). Wu An, a native of Quanzhou, Fujian, came to Taiwan and discovered that the clay in the Jianshan area of Yingge was particularly suitable for making ceramics, so he opened a kiln in Jianshanpu. After the Zhangquan Clan Fight broke out in 1853, the kiln was moved to Jianshan, gradually forming a ceramic industry settlement, earning Yingge the reputation of "Jingdezhen of Taiwan." At that time, due to Yingge's rich clay deposits and convenient water transportation, many ceramic manufacturers were attracted to set up kilns and produce ceramics here. During the Japanese colonial period, with the rise of the coal mining industry and the opening of the railway, it gradually formed a commercial and administrative center, making Yingge's ceramic industry more prosperous and becoming the most important ceramic producing area in Taiwan. Today, Yingge Old Street still retains many traditional ceramic manufacturing techniques, attracting countless tourists to visit.

The area of the old street is mainly concentrated in Jianshanpu Road, Ceramics Street, and parts of Wenhua Road and Chongqing Street. The street area retains some old-fashioned red brick buildings and arcades, showing traces of history, but most of them have now been transformed into exhibition and sales spaces for ceramic art. The stores sell all kinds of ceramic art, from exquisite tea sets and tableware to unique vases and decorations. You can take your time to stroll, admire carefully, and find your favorite ceramic works.

In addition, there are also many pottery studios on the old street, offering DIY hand-pulled pottery, painted ceramics and other experiences, allowing you to create your own unique ceramic works. (Some pottery studios offer DIY experiences; advance reservations are recommended)

In addition to ceramic art, there are also many local delicacies and traditional snacks, allowing tourists to taste local flavors while shopping. For example, Yingge Meatballs, Apo Sushi, and Old-fashioned Cake are all delicious foods recommended by locals. In addition, there are many cafes and teahouses on the old street, providing comfortable rest spaces where you can enjoy fragrant coffee or tea while admiring ceramic art.

『Yingge Old Street』

Yingge Old Street has a wide area. The main area address is: Jianshanpu Road, Yingge District, New Taipei City, Wenhua Road, Yingge District, New Taipei City, Ceramics Street.

Opening hours: 10:00 to 22:00 daily. (The opening hours of stores on Old Street vary, so it is recommended to check in advance)

Transportation:

• Public transportation: Take the train to Yingge Railway Station, and walk along Wenhua Road, Zhongzheng 1st Road, and Chongqing Street for about 10 minutes.

• Driving: Take National Highway No. 1 or 3 and exit at the San Ying Interchange, and follow the road to Jianshanpu Road.