[ The North Gate ]
The North Gate of Taipei Castle is now listed first degree cultural asset 
of the nation. It is located at the intersection of Zhong Xiao West Road 
and Yan Ping North Road.
In 1884 ( the 10th. year of Kwang Xu ), the construction work of Taipei 
Castle completed when the Qing Dynasty was busy at war with France.  
The North Gate; one of the 5 openings in the city wall; was also entitled 
Cheng'en Gate with a meaning of having the honor of being in the 
Emperor's favor from the north.
It looked like an enclosed fort having important position as a main 
connection to Yan Ping North Road extended hrough Dadao'cheng.

[ Long time ago ]
The bicentric relation between Taiwan and Mainland China may be derived in the 3rd. century. However, there was no formal office 
ever been set on this isolated island untill 1360; or the 20th. year of Chi Cheng reign during Chinese Yuen Dynasty; when a shore 
patrol squad was set up on an islet of Taiwan named Peng'hu. 
During Chinese Ming Dynasty, pirates raged through the South China Sea. Some of those pirates chose Taiwan as their subdepot. 
In 1621 or the 1st. year of Tien Ki during Chinese Ming Dynasty, a pirate by the name of Yien Xi-Ki  with his partisans came to 
Chia'yee in central westren Taiwan and settled down there.

[ Outcomers ]
In 1624 ( the 4th. year of Tien Ki during Chinese Ming Dynasty), 
Hollander landed on the the southern coast of Taiwan near the 
present Tainan city and built up Fort Zelandia. Two years 
later. Spanish landed on the northern cape near the present 
Keelung harbour and built up Fort Sandiago. Some years 
later, the Spanish were expelled from the island by the 
Hollander. However, the two out-comers had stayed 
on this island respectively for 17 and 38 years long.

[ Ming Dynasty ]
In 1661 ( the 15th. year of Yong Li during 
Ming Dynasty ), Gen. Cheng Tseng-Kong 
commanded his troops from Hsiamen
and crossed the Taiwan Straits. 
He succeeded to land on the
coast of Tainan and finally 
expelled Hollander from 
the island. 
Taiwan returned to China 
and government office was 
set up. Immigrants from 
mainland subdued the 
lands from Tainan and
extended northwards to 
the northern area of Chia'yee. 

[ Qing Dynasty ]
In 1683 ( the 22nd. year of Kang Xu ), Qing Dynasty defeated Gen. Cheng's troops and extended reigns on Taiwan.
In 1709 ( the 48th. year of Kang Xu ), a mainlander by the name of Chen Lai-Zhang was granted to subdue Taipei area.
In 1718 ( the 57th. year of Kang Xu ), Qing government set up a troop at Damsui port. By then, the immigrants had settled 
around the western coast of Taiwan. 
During Yong Zheng reign (1723-1735), population of Banchiao and Xin'chuang area neighboring Taipei had grown up. Some
people moved across the Damsui river to the opposite side Mongga. Most of the people were Tongan and Sanyee immigrants
from Chuanzhou county and some others from Zhangzhou county, both from Fukien provice. They worked hard together throughout 
the Kien Long (1736-1795) and Giar Qing(1796-1821) reigns. And by the years of Dao Kwang reign, Mongga had already four 
thousands more shops and became the 3rd. biggest town in Taiwan as what people  called  "one Tainan, two Lokang, and three 
Mongga"



  Map of Da-Dao-Cheng, Taipei

  MRT Map of  Taipei Metropolitan Area

  Brief Map of Taiwan in Southeastern Asia

[ Dadaocheng ]
In geography, Dadao'cheng is located in the western part of
Taipei city. It ranges northwards to Min Quan West Road, 
southwards to Zhong Xiao West Road,  and eastwards to 
Chong Qing North Road. The Dan Shui river flows along its 
western border.
In 17th century, there were no many people here except some
Pingpoo aborigines in Kipbu village living by fishery and 
hunting untill 1709 ( the 48th. year of Kang Xi during the
Chinese Qing Dynasty ) when a mainlander by the name of
Chen Lai-Zhang were granted to subdue the Dahgarlar area 
( original Taipei ). Then, immigrants began to come here. They 
planted rice to merchandise with Pingpoo aborigines. 
There was a big ground leveled to dry grain. That was what 
Dadao'cheng ( Big-Rice-Ground ) meaned of. During the years 
of  Xien Feng ( the 6th. emperor of Qing Dynasty ), both of 
the southern and northern neighboring areas had been 
developed into vibrant towns while the Dadao'cheng itself 
was just on first step to begin.

[ Developed in speed ]
In 1851 ( the 1st. year of Xien Feng ), a business man called
Lin Lan-Tien who had been living in Keelung harbour; aware 
of family safety from pirate; moved here and built three shops. 
That was the first shop in Dadaocheng.
Two years later, a fighting for harbour benefit happened between 
immigrants in Mongga. Tongan immigrants were expelled by 
Sanyee immigrants. The losing side moved away from Mongga 
and came to Dadaocheng. They built up their own shops and 
harbour here.  And years later, they were lucky enough to take 
over business from Mongga where river water had already been 
over sanded.
In 1860 ( the 10th. year of Xien Feng ), the Second Opium War 
came to an end with Chinese Qing Dynasty forced to sign an 
unequal Treaty of Peiking on which the western powers 
dictating the terms and reaping benefits. 
However, according to the clauses, southern Anping port and
northern Dan-Shui basin in Taiwan and other ports on Mainland 
China were opened to international trade. This eventually 
benifited Dadaocheng residents and boosted economy. Many 
foreign companies set up offices here and a number of local 
people became wealthy. Thus, Dadaocheng was ready to lead 
the whole Taipei city into international stage.