Hsinchu Dongmen Market

Date CapturedJanuary 24th, 2017 at 11:13 UTCCameraNIKON D3100LensAF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED IIApertureƒ / 3.5Shutter Speed1/30 secFocal Length19.0 mmISO1800Exposure Value8.5 EVOriginal Size3600 × 2400

Dongmen Market (東門市場) in Hsinchu City was originally established in 1900 only to be replaced by a greatly expanded second-generation building in 1911. This market prospered throughout the Japanese colonial era but was heavily bombed by US forces in World War 2 and demolished shortly thereafter.

Date CapturedNovember 30th, 2015 at 09:05 UTCCameraNIKON D3100LensAF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED IIApertureƒ / 4Shutter Speed1/80 secFocal Length18.0 mmISO400Exposure Value10.3 EVOriginal Size3600 × 2400

The current Dongmen Market building was completed in 1977 with space for more than 500 vendors. It was a trendy place to shop in the 1980s but the introduction of modern malls and department stores in the 1990s resulted in a decline in business.

Date CapturedNovember 30th, 2015 at 09:03 UTCCameraNIKON D3100LensAF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED IIApertureƒ / 4Shutter Speed1/30 secFocal Length18.0 mmISO500Exposure Value8.9 EVOriginal Size3600 × 2400

Heading into the 2010s the market was really showing its age, inviting discussion of urban renewal. Whereas many such buildings end up demolished and reconstructed in a more modern style, by the mid-2010s much of the upper market building was repurposed for youth entrepreneurship in the form of small artist studios and boutique shops. Meanwhile, back at ground level, a variety of themed eateries opened, attracting students and office workers interested in cheap eats with a vintage vibe.

Date CapturedFebruary 13th, 2018 at 09:31 UTCCameraNIKON D3100LensAF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED IIApertureƒ / 3.5Shutter Speed1/30 secFocal Length18.0 mmISO720Exposure Value8.5 EVOriginal Size3600 × 2400