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Dadaocheng

Twatutia
Chinese name
Chinese
Hokkien POJ Tōa-tiū-tiâⁿ
Literal meaning big rice-drying field
Japanese name
Kyūjitai 大稻埕
Shinjitai 大稲埕

Twatutia (a transliteration of the Taiwanese Hokkien Tōa-tiū-tiâⁿ), is an area in Datong District, Taipei, Taiwan. It was also known as Daitōtei during Japanese rule, and Tataocheng or Dadaocheng during the Kuomintang era.

Twatutia was an important trading port in the 19th century, and is still a major historical tourist attraction and shopping area. The district is known for the local Taiwanese cuisine, the Chien-Cheng Circle, and also being the center of the February 28 Incident.

When the export of tea became important in northern Taiwan in the mid-19th century, many businessmen appeared at Twatutia. The first shop opened in 1851, belonging to Lin Lan-tian (林藍田), a native of Keelung. Lin opened three shops that he later called Lim Ek-sun (林益順). Foreigners entered the trade in 1867 and five British firms had been established at Twatutia by 1872.

In 1853, many people moved into the area from Bangka following a serious conflict.

The first rail station in Taipeh (modern-day Taipei) was completed in Twatutia in October 1891, when the railway to Keelung was opened for service. The branch line from Taipeh to Tamsui was completed in June 1901, and Daitotei Station (Japanese: 大稻埕驛?) () opened as part of the then TRA Tamsui Line. However, it was closed to passenger service in 1916 and continued to operate as a freight-only station until its eventual closure in 1937.

In the early 20th century, Daitotei was considered a part of the Taihoku (Taipei) area outside of the city proper, and was where European settlers lived. It stretched northward along the Tamsui River, which flows down to the port, a distance of about 10 miles (16 km). Daitotei was the second most populous city in Taiwan (second to Tainan and followed by Banka) with a population of thirty to forty thousand. In 1920, it became part of the newly incorporated Taihoku City under Taihoku Prefecture.


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