【鹿港老街】Lukang Old Street in Changhua County
While I was visiting Taichung, my best friend Sunny suggested that we visit Lukang (鹿港), an old port town renowned for its rich history and well-preserved traditional buildings. Accompanied by Sunny's boyfriend, we drove to the town, where they both gave me a brief overview of its history. It turns out that Lukang is actually a very popular tourist destination in Changhua County and is fairly close to Taichung!
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brief history
Lukang's name is derived from "deer port" (鹿 = deer + 港 = port) which came from its trading of deerskin during the Dutch period.
As one of the oldest towns in Taiwan, Lukang (鹿港) has a fascinating past that is still visible in its traditional architecture. Unlike other ports such as Taipei and Tainan, Lukang has preserved many of its historic buildings, some of which are still inhabited by locals.
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things to do
Lukang Tianhou Temple
The Lukang Mazu Temple, also known as Lukang Tianhou Temple, is one of the three historical sites in Lukang. It was first constructed in 1660 during the Qing Dynasty by General Shi Lang and was dedicated to the Chinese Goddess Mazu, who is associated with the sea. The temple's statue was imported from Meizhou, China.
Lukang Ancient House of Ding’s Family
One of the oldest preserved houses in Taiwan is over 200 years old. It has been converted into a free museum for visitors.
This Fujian-style house, founded in the Qing dynasty (1684 - 1895), is the last remaining home of the imperial scholar Ding Pushi in Lukang. Ding Pushi was believed to have an Arab bloodline due to the trading center in China. Many Arab and Persian merchant families traded during that time, and as Lukang was known for its trading ports, it attracted many merchants and settlers from the Fujian area to Taiwan.
walk down old alleyways
We only explored a small portion (about 15%) of Lukang due to the crowds. It was super crowded during the weekend. Despite this, we still managed to see a lot.
One of my favorite highlights was walking along the narrow alleys. They made me feel like I was stepping back in time.
In one of the alleys, there was a qipao (旗袍) store, a traditional one-piece Chinese dress, where you can rent a qipao and accessories and stroll around town. I really wanted to rent one, but at the same time, my goal that day was to try and find a qipao to buy instead of renting one, hehe. 🙃
try local street food
One of the highlights was the tanghulu (糖葫芦), a classic Taiwanese dessert consisting of hard sugar-coated fruit on a skewer. I learned the hard way to be cautious while eating it, as I accidentally punctured my gum while biting into the fruit too eagerly!
Additionally, we tried their freshly-made mini dorayakis with various fillings (such as chocolate, red bean, or vanilla).
Lastly, we visited a small shop known for their mianxian (麵線), a thin vermicelli noodle soup with pork. Thankfully, they had a vegetarian option available for me which you can request when ordering!
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recommended experiences
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know before you go!
BEST TIME TO GO
Spring, Fall, or Winter has better weather for exploring. Note that some street vendors might be closed on Mondays.
DRESS CODE
Casual
PAYMENT
While some vendors might accept mobile payments, it's best to carry cash.
PERFECT FOR
Explore historical sites. Eat delicious street food. Find nostalgic items that bring back childhood memories.
PET POLICY
Leashed pets are welcome.
PUBLIC FACILITIES
Two public restrooms are located near the temples. Be prepared for a mix of squat toilets and regular toilets.
PRICING
$ Entrance to Lukang Old Street is free. However, expect to pay for food, shopping, and other activities.
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HOURS
Monday - Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
LOCATION
No. 3號, Butou St, Lukang Township,
Changhua County, Taiwan 505
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Epoch Times: Lukang Old Street is rich in history and culture
Life of Taiwan: Lukang
Taiwan: Lukang Tianhou Temple
Wikipedia: Lukang, Changhua
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check out my Taichung travel vlog
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DISCOVER MORE
02282023 11:20
Last Updated: 06.11.2024
Vibrant street food stalls, retro games, photobooths, and tons more to do!