Nuannuan Old Street is a Qing-dynasty settlement street along the Jilong River in Nuannuan District, Keelung, that once served as a river-transport hub for indigo, tea, and coal — a key commercial street despite being only about 2 meters wide. After a 1977 widening project, the arcaded fronts along the street were entirely removed and most old buildings were rebuilt.
Nuannuan Old Street was once an important river-transport hub for indigo, tea, and coal, though the historic street was only about 2 meters wide. The local saying "nine ten-thousands, eighteen thousands" described the area's wealth, referring to nine households with fortunes in the tens of thousands and eighteen households with fortunes in the thousands. As Keelung's port opened, the railway was built, and the Jilong River silted up, the tea and mining trades declined; a 1977 street-widening project removed all the arcaded shopfronts along the street, and most old buildings were demolished and rebuilt, with modern shophouses replacing the historic street facades. Most of today's street frontage dates from after that widening.
What to See at Nuannuan Old Street
The formation of Nuannuan's Qing-era settlement was closely tied to river transport along the Jilong River — this area once served as a key passage on the eastern approach to the Taipei Basin. The streetscape was partly redeveloped during the Japanese colonial period, leaving behind some shophouse facades; the arcade form and brick frontages are the main architectural details to look for. The surviving old street still functions as a living commercial strip rather than a purely tourist-oriented one, with traditional grocery stores and local eateries open for everyday business.
The scale of Nuannuan Old Street is modest; a full loop on foot takes under 30 minutes. The condition of the shophouse facades varies — some buildings have been renovated or replaced, while others still retain their old exteriors. The street sits next to Nuannuan Waterfront Park, and the two can be combined into a Nuannuan half-day itinerary.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Timing
- Taiwan Railways Nuannuan Station is about 5 to 10 minutes on foot from the old street; check train schedules on the Taiwan Railways official website.
- Shop hours vary by establishment. Arriving before midday gives you the best chance of finding most vendors open.
Nearby Connections
- Nuannuan Waterfront Park is within walking distance — a combined old street and wading itinerary works well in summer.
- Qidu District sights are reachable by car, allowing you to plan a full Qidu–Nuannuan day trip.
Source: compiled from public records and on-site information. Photos to be replaced with Dio's own photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Nuannuan Old Street's buildings still look as they did in the Qing or Japanese era?
Mostly not — a 1977 widening project removed all the arcaded shopfronts and most old buildings were rebuilt, so today's street facades mainly date from after that widening.
What was Nuannuan Old Street originally used for?
From the Qing dynasty through the Japanese era it was a key river-transport hub in the Jilong River basin for indigo, tea, and coal, once known for its wealth through the saying "nine ten-thousands, eighteen thousands."
How do you get to Nuannuan Old Street?
It's about a 5- to 10-minute walk from Taiwan Railways Nuannuan Station; arriving before midday gives the best chance of finding shops open.
What can be combined with a visit to Nuannuan Old Street?
Nuannuan Waterfront Park is within walking distance, making a combined old-street-and-wading itinerary a good option in summer.
Sources
- 古色幽靜的暖暖老街｜國家文化記憶庫 — 暖暖老街河運歷史、九萬十八千俗諺與1977年拓寬拆除紀錄