Taipei Lunar New Year market to include 10 areas across city

Taipei’s annual Lunar New Year market event, which kicks off Jan. 15 this year, will be expanded to include 10 streets and market areas in the city, including the popular Dihua Street shopping district.

 

In addition to the Dihua St. business zone, the market areas on the list include Rongbin Market, Taipei City Mall, Taipei Station Wholesale Market District, and Huayin St. Shopping District.

 

There are also Si Ping Sun District, Yuanlin Shopping District, Dongmen Yongkang District, Ningxia Night Market, and Bangka Night Market, according to a statement issued by the city’s Office of Commerce.

 

The market event is being held this year in the hope of encouraging more people to visit the shopping districts and help counter the impact of the pandemic, according to the office.

 

Taipei Deputy Mayor Huang Shan-shan (黃珊珊) said at a press event to promote Lunar New Year shopping that the 10 areas taking part in the city’s Lunar New Year market event each have their own unique character.

 

Huang will visit some of the different areas to hand out “fortune money,” a move symbolizing giving out good luck in the New Year, the office said.

 

The “fortune money,” which consists of NT$1 in a tiger design red envelope symbolizes good luck and fortune for the year of the tiger, welcoming the new year with hope and optimism, the office added.

Taipei Lunar New Year market started with Dihua Street in 1996, which is one of the most festive streets in Taiwan during the Lunar New Year holiday.

 

However, Dihua Street, which usually invites vendors from other cities and counties to set up stalls during the annual Lunar New Year market event, will not do so this year, said Huang, adding that shopping will focus mainly on local shops.

 

Hsu Ching-chi (徐慶棋), chairman of Dihua Street’s commercial development promotion association, explained that the street’s Lunar New Year market will not see booths from other parts of the country because of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

 

Not having booths will also allow pedestrians to stroll along the street more easily, Hsu added.

 

Taipei’s annual Lunar New Year market has been held on Dihua Street for over 20 years, though the event was canceled last year because of the COVID-19 situation at that time.

 

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel