Da-an district  covers Dongmen market in the north, National Taiwan University in the south, Da-An Forest PArk in the east and Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall in the west. To be more specific, this district refers to Yong Kang Street, Lishui Street, Jinhua Street and Chaozhou Street.

Before Taiwan Restoration, this district was originally a residential area for Japanese senior civil officials.  After decades, it becomes the most cultural and educational living area in Taipei City.  Several noted colleges of higher education are distributed here, red and orange line of Mass Rapid Transit facilitate the traffic convenience in this area.  There are also many unique coffee shops, independent bookstores, restaurants and grocery stores.

Walking into Lane 203, Section 2 of Jinshan South Road in Da-an District, you will be greeted by a row of Japanese style low housings. There is a Taiwan cow-tail fir tree at least 80 years old standing quietly among other old trees.  During the Japanese colonial period, these hoursings once served as the employees’ living quarters of Forestry Bureau. The Japanese style construction in this area is unique in structure-duplex double hallway, exquisite interior carvings, and delicate constructions.  Taking a walk in the part of the neighborhood is a journey into the past.

copy from Southvillage Ltd., September 2012