| Wanhua | |
| Official Name: | Wanhua District |
| Settlement Type: | District |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Republic of China (Taiwan) |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Name1: | Western Taipei |
| Parts Type: | Divisions |
| P1: | 36 villages |
| P2: | 720 neighborhoods |
| Area Total Km2: | 8.8522 |
| Area Rank: | Ranked 10th of 12 |
| Population Total: | 173209[1] |
| Population As Of: | January 2023 |
| Population Rank: | Ranked 9th of 12 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code |
| Postal Code: | 108 |
Wanhua District, known in Taiwanese Hokkien as Báng-kah khu and historically as "Monga" or "Monka", is a district in Taipei, Taiwan. It is Taipei's oldest district. The district is home to historic buildings such as the Bangka Lungshan Temple and the Red House Theater.
Wanhua was the first district in Taipei to undergo economic development; as such many of the buildings and cultural sites in the region are older than those in surrounding districts. The large number of temples in this area is attributed to its prosperous past originating from the Qing era. The district can be divided into three sections: northern, central, and southern.[2] The northern area, including Ximending, has become home to many shopping centers and is popular among the younger generation. Central Wanhua is known for its historical sites – including Lungshan Temple, Qingshui Temple, Qingshan Temple and Bopiliao Historic Block – traditional shopping, and local snacks. Southern Wanhua is mainly a residential area with a wide city park, also known as the Youth Park.
Wanhua District is divided up into 36 villages (Chinese: 里) and 722 neighborhoods (Chinese: 鄰). In recent years, the population in the district has been in decline. It also has a higher concentration of mainlanders. Nevertheless, this district continues to be treasured by many as it is representative of some of Taipei's richest historical cultures – for example, the annual temple rituals held at Qingshan Temple, also known as the Qing Shan King Sacrificial Ceremony. This is a grand religious fiesta and celebration that involves a procession within Wanhua District for three consecutive nights.
Wanhua is the Mandarin Chinese pronunciation of, a name coined by the Japanese because of its phonetic resemblance to the area's former name in Taiwanese Hokkien .[3] Spellings used in English works circa 1900 include Banka, Manka[4] and Bang-kah.[5] The old Taiwanese Hokkien name possibly derives from bangka (bangka), the Austronesian word from one of the northern Formosan languages for a kind of "outrigger canoe". This is also attributed to the location of Wanhua, which is beside the Tamsui River and was once a prosperous trading port.
In the late Qing era, Hobe (modern-day Tamsui District) was the treaty port of northern Taiwan, whereas the trade was conducted at Bangka. Therefore, in 1862, the British Consulate succeeded in extending the limits of the port up the Tamsui River to include Banka, which was more than from the port. Bangka was the largest and most important city of northern Formosa, thoroughly Chinese, and, in the initial experience of missionary George Leslie Mackay, intensely anti-foreign.
In the early 20th century, with a population of about 27,000, Banka was Taiwan's third most populous city, following the nearby suburb of Daitōtei.[6] Both cities were part of the Taihoku (Taipei) capital area but outside of the city proper, which was occupied mainly by the Japanese official class.[7]
After the handover of Taiwan from Japan to the Republic of China in 1945, the area where Wanhua District covers now used to consist of Longshang District (Chinese: 龍山區) and Shuangyuan District (Chinese: 雙園區). In 1990, the two districts merged and formed Wanhua District.
Near the famous Lungshan Temple is the Snake Alley Night Market. The market once served snake and turtle delicacies, but changed its focus to seafood upon protest from animal rights groups and environmental groups. The area is also the site of Taipei's former red-light district. Prostitution was outlawed in the 1990s although prostitutes can still be readily found. Today, the night markets are famous among both tourists and locals alike as they present a wide array of local delicacies at affordable prices.
Ximending, another main attraction of Wanhua, serves as a fashionable shopping center and as Taipei's main movie theater district.
Night markets, a staple of Taiwanese culture, are widespread in the district and include the Huaxi Street Tourist Night Market, Xichang Street Night Market, Guangzhou Street Night Market, Wuzhou Street Night Market, and Nanjichang Night Market.[2] In addition, the district has many streets in which traders specialize in items such as herbs, jewelry, hardware, and home furnishings.
The district is also home to the Huannan Market, Taipei First Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market, Taipei First Poultry Wholesale Market, and Taipei Fishery Wholesale Market.[2] It can be said to be Taipei's center for fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats.
Other tourist attractions include the Heritage and Culture Education Center of Taipei City, Qingyunge Art, Wanhua Lin's Mansion and Ximending Mazu Temple.
Wanhua is served by Longshan Temple and Ximen metro stations of the Taipei Metro. The Taiwan Railways Administration's Western Line has one station in the district, Wanhua Station.
Important roads, highways, and bridges include: