"There is Yonghe Road in Yonghe, and Zhonghe Road in Zhonghe. Zhonghe Road in Zhonghe connects with Zhonghe Road in Yonghe. Yonghe Road in Yonghe does not connect with Yonghe Road in Zhonghe. Zhonghe Road in Yonghe connects with Yonghe Road in Yonghe…." The "Song of Zhong-Yong-He" fully reflects the maze-like urban landscape of Shuanghe (double-he, Zhonghe and Yonghe) Area, which is the most densely populated area in Taiwan. Among them, Yonghe District has a population density of more than 30,000 people per square kilometer, which means that its mere 5.7 square kilometers of land is home to over 210,000 people! During Taiwan's urbanization period, a large number of people came to Shuanghe area, including not only Taiwanese from central and southern Taiwan looking for work, but also expatriates from Southeast Asia and South Korea. A diverse ethnic culture is therefore formed here, which also brought delicious exotic cuisine.The Nanshijiao side of Zhonghe-Xinlu Line serving Zhonghe and Yonghe Districts was the earliest to begin service on Zhonghe-Xinlu Line on Christmas Eve of 1998. There are a total of 4 underground stations, namely Nanshijiao (O01), Jingan (O02), Yongan Market (O03), Dingxi (O04). Let's take the MRT to explore Shuanghe!Nanshijiao (O01): Huaxin Street (Myanmar Street)The first stop is Nanshijiao Station, which is the main residential area of Chinese Burmese in Taiwan, including Kuomingtang troops and their families in Burma who retreated to Taiwan in the 1950s, and Chinese Burmese who were deprived of their political and economic status after the Myanmar military government came to power in 1962 and immigrated to Taiwan. They are mainly concentrated in Huaxin Street, which is also known as Myanmar Street or Nanyang Food Street. The street signs are written in both Chinese and Burmese, and the restaurant owners and employees would speak Burmese between them. It is the largest Southeast Asian community in New Taipei City. Taiwan's first Southeast Asia themed bookstore, Brilliant Time, is located here. The annual Songkran Festival is also held here!The delicacies on Huaxin Street are mainly Burmese, Indian, Chinese Yunnan, and Thai, including fish soup noodles, naans, rice noodles, pea gravy, and various milk teas! The restaurants here are homey and down-to-earth. They are typically open from morning to afternoon, offering authentic and affordable food. Huaxin Street is a treasure trove of flavors in New Taipei City.Yongan Market (O03): 823 Memorial Park (Zhonghe Park), National Taiwan LibraryNext to Yongan Market Station, you will find 823 Memorial Park, known as the "lungs of Shuanghe." Initially, six large parks were planned for the Shuanghe area. Due to the rapid inflow of people, in the end, only two parks, namely 823 Memorial Park and Renai Park, were completed. 823 Memorial Park covers an area of 11 hectares, and it is the largest park in the Shuanghe area. The August 23 Artillery Battle monument is the landmark in the park, commemorating the war that broke out in Kinmen in 1958.National Taiwan Library in the park was formerly known as the Government-General of Taiwan Library. It was the first modern library in Taiwanese history, and the No. 1 library during the Japanese Rule period in terms of size! In the 1940s, it already had a collection of more than 200,000 books. The neo-classical arched corridor on the outside of the building is a popular photo spot.Dingxi (O04): Yang Sanlang Art Museum, Zhongxing Street (Korea Street), Lehua Night MarketThe area around Dingxi Station is the busiest area in Zhonghe and Yonghe. As it is only a bridge away from Taipei City, lots of people who work in Boai Special Zone and around Taipei Station live here. Yonghe is best known for soymilk. The world-renowned Yonghe Soymilk shop originated from Zhongzheng Bridge. With its fragrant soymilk and hearty Chinese breakfast, it is a must for foodies who like northern Chinese food.Yang Sanlang Art Museum, hidden in the alley behind the soymilk shop, is the former residence of Yonghe-born oil painting master, Yang Sanlang. At the museum, Yang's representative works from each period are on display. Yang has studied in Japan and France and has been dedicated to the development of local art in Taiwan. Jointly with artists of the same era, Chen Chengbo, Liao Jichun, Yan Shuilong, and Li Meishu, Yang founded Taiyang Art Association. The wooden house on the premise is Wangxi Villa, the residence and art studio of Yang Sanlang. It is quiet and elegant. Painting tools and various items used by the master have been preserved such that we could peek into the master's dedication to art."어서오세요!" Zhongxing Street that is next to Exit 1 of Dingxi Station is also known as Korea Street. It was where many Chinese Korean coming from Shandong stayed in Taiwan. As Korean pop culture became popular all over the world, Korean goods are in high demand. Yonghe Korea Street therefore becomes a great shopping place for fans of Korean culture. There are many exclusive Korean goods, including clothing, instant noodles, kimchi, sauces, snacks, and soju. The wide variety of products is waiting for you to explore.It's dinner time! Shuanghe's kitchen, Lehua Night Market, is one of New Taipei's largest night markets. There are many well-known delicacies, offering diverse options. You can find the Taiwanese street must-haves, "fried chicken cutlet in the right hand and bubble tea in the left hand;" classic dishes such as beef soup, sesame oil chicken soup, pig blood soup, chicken rice, spicy duck blood, green onion pancake, sweet potato balls; exotic dishes such as ramen, green papaya salad, Italian coffee, and curry rice. There are so many options to satisfy all types of foodies!Some say that there is a second stomach for desserts. After a full meal, you must have some iced desserts to satisfy all senses! There are several famous ice shops in Lehua Night Market. You can choose from shaved sugar cane ice with taro, snowflake ice, and iced bean paste to draw a "cool" ending to your Shuanghe MRT tour!
