Da’an stretches around the city’s largest inner-urban green space, Ta-an Forest Park, and is best known for relaxed daytime life, jogging, picnics and an energetic café scene. Yongkang Street and the small lanes off it are where most visitors head for brunch, dessert and independent shops.
By day the neighbourhood feels leafy and residential; by night it becomes quietly social, with neighbourhood bars, small izakaya and the evening Tonghua (Linjiang) Night Market supplying street snacks. The area is well connected by MRT and makes a calm base for exploring central Taipei.
Da'an at a Glance
Green parkland, café culture and Yongkang Street eateries near central Taipei.
- Best for: Cafés, relaxed days in the park and neighbourhood dining
- Vibe: Laid-back, leafy, local Taipei rather than touristy
- Nearest station: Daan / Dongmen (MRT interchange stations)
- Price level: $$-$$$ (cafés and mid-range boutique hotels)
- To the main sights: 10-20 minutes by MRT to Taipei 101 or Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
- Safety: Very safe; quiet residential streets after midnight
Who's Da'an For?
Great for:
- Couples who like cafés and quiet evenings
- Travellers who want a leafy base near central Taipei
- Anyone who enjoys markets and neighbourhood food
Maybe skip it if:
- You want loud, late-night clubbing
- You need a big luxury-mall shopping district on your doorstep
Getting Your Bearings in Da'an
Da’an centres on Daan Forest Park, with Yongkang Street and Dongmen to the west and Fuxing South / Xinyi corridors to the east. Main thoroughfares to know are Fuxing South Road, Xinsheng South Road and Ren’ai Road.
Plan Your Visit to Da'an
- Best time to visit: Mornings and late afternoons are nicest for the park and café patios.
- Yongkang Street: Arrive early for popular brunch spots to avoid queues.
- Cash and cards: Most cafés and shops accept cards, but small stalls prefer cash.
- Language: English is common in shops and hotels, but a few Mandarin phrases help.
- Quiet nights: Streets are residential, expect quiet after midnight in many areas.
Things to Do in Da'an
- Ta-an Forest Park: Wide lawns, ponds and shaded paths ideal for jogging, family picnics and a calm escape from the city.
- Yongkang Street: Narrow lane of cafés, dessert shops and small restaurants, great for brunch, coffee and people-watching.
- Linjiang (Tonghua) Night Market: Smaller, local night market with stalls serving Taiwanese street-food favourites in the evening.
- Stroll the neighbourhood: Explore side streets for independent bakeries, teashops and small design boutiques.
How to Get to Da'an
- Taoyuan Airport (TPE): Public transport: Take the Taoyuan Airport MRT to Taipei Main Station, then change to the MRT (Tamsui-Xinyi/Red Line) to Daan or Dongmen, around 50-70 minutes total with one change; fare roughly NT$160-200 plus local MRT fare. Taxi/ride-hail: door-to-door 40-60 minutes depending on traffic, roughly NT$1,000-1,500.
- Songshan Airport (TSA): Public transport: From Songshan Airport MRT station take the metro and change once onto the line serving Daan/Dongmen, about 20-35 minutes with one change; fare typically under NT$100. Taxi/ride-hail: simplest option, 15-25 minutes and around NT$300-600.
- From the main sights: From Taipei 101 or Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall take a single MRT ride (10-20 minutes) to Daan/Dongmen; short taxi 10-20 minutes depending on traffic.
Getting Around Da'an
- MRT: Daan and Dongmen stations are the local hubs; the MRT connects the neighbourhood quickly to central Taipei and major sights.
- Walking: The area is very walkable, Ta-an Forest Park and Yongkang Street are pleasant on foot and cafés are close together.
- Taxi / ride-hail: Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive for short hops; useful late at night after small bars close.
- YouBike: Taipei’s public bike scheme has many docks around the park and Yongkang Street, handy for short trips.
Where to Stay in Da'an
Da’an offers boutique luxury and a strong selection of mid-range hotels, plus several simple hostels. Stay nearest the park or Dongmen/Yongkang Street for cafés and easy MRT access.
Luxury
- Hotel Éclat: Upscale boutique hotel with design-led rooms; a short walk to the park and local cafés. Price level: $$$$.
- Taipei Fullerton Hotel Fuxing South: Stylish boutique property close to Yongkang Street and parkland; ideal for food-focused stays. Price level: $$$.
- Shangri-la Eastern Plaza Hotel: Well-known high-end hotel within a short ride of Da’an; comfortable luxury and full services. Price level: $$$$.
- The Fullon Hotel Taipei: Established mid-upscale hotel within walking distance of the neighbourhood core. Price level: $$$.
Mid-range
- Dandy Hotel - Daan Park: Reliable mid-range option close to the park; straightforward rooms and a short walk to cafés. Price level: $$.
- The Howard Plaza Hotel Taipei: Comfortable mid-range hotel suitable for business and leisure travellers; walkable to Yongkang lanes. Price level: $$.
- Madison Taipei: Practical mid-range choice near main roads and MRT; good value for location. Price level: $$.
- Park Taipei Hotel: Comfortable mid-range hotel very close to the park and cafés. Price level: $$.
Budget
- JV’s Hostel: Simple, friendly budget beds in a neighbourhood location; walkable to Yongkang Street. Price level: $.
- 1983 First Hostel: Budget hostel offering basic dorms and private rooms within walking distance of the park. Price level: $.
- The Loft Hostel: Affordable, no-frills hostel with easy access to cafés and MRT. Price level: $.
- Dongmen 3: Small budget guesthouse near Dongmen station and Yongkang Street; convenient for food explorers. Price level: $.
Where to Eat in Da'an
Da’an is known for its cafés and neighbourhood dining lanes. Head to Yongkang Street and the small alleys off Dongmen for everything from cheap breakfast stalls to mid-range restaurants; expect mostly $-$$ prices with some $$$ options for upscale cafés and bistros.
- Yonghe Soy Milk: Traditional Taiwanese breakfast stall; inexpensive and popular for quick local bites. Price level: $.
- Louisa Coffee: Local coffee chain good for a casual coffee stop near the park; cheap and convenient. Price level: $.
- Ootoya: Japanese set-meal restaurant offering consistent, home-style dishes; moderate prices. Price level: $$.
- Sushi Express: Conveyor-belt sushi chain for fast, inexpensive sushi plates close to the neighbourhood centre. Price level: $.
- Pui bui Cafe & Lounge: Neighbourhood café and light dining spot a short walk from the park; relaxed mid-range prices. Price level: $$.
- Butcher Lab: Well-regarded restaurant a walk from the park; higher price tier for quality meats and bistro dishes. Price level: $$$.
- Chausson: French café/bakery popular for pastries and coffee; mid-range prices and good for brunch. Price level: $$.
Nightlife in Da'an
Nightlife in Da’an is low-key and local rather than clubby, expect small craft-beer bars, cosy cocktail lounges and casual pubs. Most spots cluster around the Yongkang/Dongmen lanes and along Fuxing South Road; bars generally open until midnight-2am.
- La Petite Chambre: Intimate cocktail bar close to the park with a relaxed, smart atmosphere. Price level: $$.
- 23 Public: Friendly neighbourhood bar popular for after-work drinks and craft beers. Price level: $$.
- Nowhere Project: Small live-music and arts bar with a local crowd; casual and lively on event nights. Price level: $$.
- Lounge & Dart: Casual bar with darts and a relaxed crowd, good for groups. Price level: $-$$.
- Public Bear Taste Culture: Neighbourhood bar with craft beer focus and informal vibe. Price level: $$.
- Knock Knock Who’s There?: Small, characterful bar popular with locals for cocktails and small plates. Price level: $$.
Shopping in Da'an
Shopping in Da’an is mainly small boutiques, local markets and specialty food stores rather than massive malls. Yongkang Street and nearby markets are best for food souvenirs, while a few department stores sit on the district edges.
- 安東市場: Traditional neighbourhood market close to Yongkang Street for fresh produce and snacks.
- Linjiang Street Night Market: Evening market for street food, snacks and small stalls, best after sunset.
- 信義市場: Local indoor market selling groceries, prepared foods and daily essentials.
- 泰順街市場: Neighbourhood marketplace with inexpensive food stalls and local vendors.
- 遠企購物中心: Nearby department store for brand shopping and air-conditioned browsing.
