As we stroll through the bustling streets of Dadaocheng today, it’s hard to imagine that this area was once nothing more than a wide-open space for drying harvested rice. Yet during 26 years of Japanese colonial rule, a small post office bore witness to Dadaocheng’s transformation from an agricultural settlement into the epicenter of Taiwan’s thriving tea industry.
Originally established in 1896 as the “Dadaocheng Post and Telegraph Branch,” the office underwent seven administrative changes before being renamed the “Taipei Port Town Post Office” in 1923. This post office wasn’t just the starting point for modern communication services in the area—it was also a vital commercial node during the golden age of Taiwan’s tea industry. With the addition of telegraph delivery, savings services, and even public telephone access over time, each upgrade reflected Dadaocheng’s growing commercial prosperity. In 1922, when it was renamed “Port Town Branch,” it clearly affirmed Dadaocheng’s identity as both a key port and a major center of tea production and processing.
Behind every administrative shift of this post office lies a pivotal moment in the socioeconomic development of Dadaocheng. Let us trace these 26 years of change and see how this humble communication outpost became a bridge connecting Taiwan’s tea merchants to the world.
From Rice-Drying Yard to Commercial Powerhouse: Dadaocheng’s Transformation
The name “Dadaocheng” itself tells a story of humble beginnings. “Dacheng” refers to the open spaces used by farmers to dry their rice under the sun—spaces that also doubled as early morning produce markets. This modest agricultural village, located northwest of today’s Taipei Main Station, was initially unremarkable.
However, with the rise of Taiwan’s foreign trade—especially tea exports—Dadaocheng leveraged its advantageous port location to replace Monga (艋舺) as Taipei’s most important emerging commercial district. As merchants gathered and trade flourished, the need for modern communication services became increasingly urgent.
It was against this backdrop that the Japanese government established a postal and telegraph branch in Dadaocheng, providing crucial communication infrastructure to support the area’s booming business activity. This decision not only altered Dadaocheng’s fate but also marked a significant step forward in the modernization of Taiwan’s postal services.
1896: The Birth of Modern Communication in Dadaocheng
April 20, 1896 (Meiji 29) stands as a key milestone in the history of Dadaocheng’s postal development. On this day, the “Dadaocheng Post and Telegraph Branch” officially opened, offering postal services and launching “futate savings” (為替貯金), akin to modern remittance and deposit services.
This financial function was particularly important for tea merchants engaged in long-distance trade, as it enabled them to safely transfer funds via the postal system, reducing both transaction risk and operational costs.
The branch's founding reflected the Japanese government’s commitment to modernization and Dadaocheng’s rising commercial prominence. From this point on, Dadaocheng stepped into the age of modern communication.
Expanding Services to Meet Commercial Demands
As Dadaocheng’s business landscape expanded, so did the services of its post office. On November 1, 1909, the branch was restructured as a “postal substation,” signaling a strategic shift in its service focus.
On July 31, 1914, the launch of telegraph delivery marked a major advancement in communications. For tea merchants who needed real-time market updates, this service was invaluable. They could monitor overseas tea prices or negotiate remotely with international buyers—activities that demanded speed and reliability.
On June 23, 1917, a special withdrawal and transfer service was added, enhancing financial flexibility for complex commercial operations and enabling more sophisticated transactions.
The Port Town Era: Witnessing the Tea Industry’s Golden Age
On April 1, 1922, the office was renamed “Taipei Port Town Branch.” This name change carried deep symbolism, officially recognizing Dadaocheng’s dual identity as both a bustling port and Taiwan’s leading tea production center.
By this time, Dadaocheng was home to numerous tea shops and merchants. Tea masters from Fujian, savvy local brokers, and international buyers converged here. Processing, packaging, and exporting tea required constant communication, making the Port Town Post Office a crucial hub within the tea trade network.
On February 15, 1923, the office was upgraded to “Taipei Port Town Post Office,” now with full telegraph authority. Although it did not handle parcel collection and delivery, its role as a communication hub was cemented. The next day (February 16), a public telephone was installed inside the office, further facilitating merchant interactions.
The 26-year evolution of the Dadaocheng Port Town Post Office is a microcosm of Taiwan’s journey from an agrarian society to a modern commercial hub. Each change—from its founding in 1896 to its elevation in 1923—mirrored key phases in Dadaocheng’s development and showcased the brilliance of Taiwan’s tea industry at its peak.
For today’s readers, this history reminds us of the crucial role infrastructure plays in regional development. Modern communication systems not only serve daily needs—they fuel business growth and economic transformation. As Dadaocheng undergoes a creative revival today, perhaps a new generation of infrastructure is what will power its next chapter.
If you’re interested in Taiwan’s postal history or Dadaocheng’s past, consider visiting the Dadaocheng Historical District or exploring Japanese-era postal records for deeper insight into Taiwan’s modernization journey.
