Dounan Wanxing Temple and Old Street is a historic streetscape in Dounan Township, Yunlin County, developed along the former site of the Qing-dynasty "Talihwu Street," whose Japanese-era arcade shophouses remain intact; "Talihwu" was a Hoanya (Pingpu) place name meaning "a vast expanse of grassland."
Dounan's old name was "Talihwu," a former Hoanya (Pingpu) settlement name meaning "a vast expanse of grassland"; the area around Zhongshan Road and Wenyuan Street in front of Dounan Train Station forms the town's commercial core, and the arcade shophouses left from the Japanese-era street-improvement program remain Dounan Old Street's main historic feature — about a ten-minute walk from the station. (Note: public records could not confirm the exact founding date of a temple named "Wanxing Temple" at this location; Dounan is also home to a well-documented Mazu temple, Shun'an Temple, founded in 1736 (Qianlong 1) on Chang'an Road — visitors should confirm the temple name on site.)
Highlights of Dounan Old Street
Dounan's old name was "Talihwu," an important settlement node on the Jianan Plain in the Qing dynasty. The old street runs along Zhongshan Road. The arcade colonnades and brick shophouses that remain from the Japanese-era street-improvement program are the primary historic features. Wanxing Temple stands at the head of the street — founded during the Qianlong reign and rebuilt multiple times over the years, it has served as the local Mazu worship center for over two hundred years. The temple layout preserves the traditional three-front-hall arrangement.
The old street has been lightly converted into a creative district. A farmers' market operates on weekends, selling local produce and handcrafted goods. Visiting on a weekday allows a quieter look at the shophouse facade details and the spatial rhythm of the arcade colonnades. Shops range from traditional general stores and snack vendors to a small number of art and culture spaces — commercial intensity is relatively low, and the street retains an everyday feel.
How to make the most of your visit
Practical information
Getting there and hours
- Dounan Train Station is about a 10-minute walk from the Zhongshan Road old street. Dounan is a stop on the Taiwan Railways Western Trunk Line, making access easy.
- The old street is open all day. For Wanxing Temple opening hours, check temple announcements; generally open from morning to late afternoon.
- Weekend market hours adjust by season; follow on-site or social media announcements.
Nearby connections
- You can also visit other Japanese-era shophouse settlements in Dounan Township or the surrounding rural areas — Erlun and Lunbei townships are within cycling range.
- Xiluo's Yanping Old Street is about 20 minutes by car — a Yunlin old street hop can be planned as a half-day trip.
Sources: Local historical records and on-site research. Photos pending Dio's own shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the name "Talihwu" for Dounan Old Street come from?
"Talihwu" was a former Hoanya (Pingpu) settlement name meaning "a vast expanse of grassland," Dounan's old place name before the Qing dynasty.
What is Dounan Old Street's most distinctive historic feature?
The arcade shophouse facades left from the Japanese-era street-improvement program are the old street's main historic streetscape.
How do I walk from Dounan Train Station to the old street?
It's about a ten-minute walk along Zhongshan Road from Dounan Station, which sits on the Taiwan Railways Western Trunk Line.
Sources
- 他里霧-詞目-教育部臺灣台語常用詞辭典 — 官方台語辭典，記載「他里霧」為洪雅族地名及其語意
- 斗南鎮 - 維基百科 — 記載斗南舊稱他里霧及中山路商業街區資訊
- 斗南順安宮 - 維基百科 — 補充說明：斗南另有主祀媽祖、創建於1736年的順安宮，供讀者核對廟名