青草巷

February 5th, 2016

Herb Alley (青草巷) is a minor attraction immediately adjacent to the famous Lóngshān Temple (龍山寺) in Monga, the most historic part of Wanhua, Taipei. Hundreds of years ago, long before Western medicine came to Taiwan, it was common for people to visit the temple, pray to the relevant gods, and receive herbal prescriptions for whatever ailed them. Vendors setup shop outside the temple gates to help fill these prescriptions. Decades ago the prescriptions themselves were outlawed (and rightfully so) but the tradition of selling herbs next to the temple continues, albeit in a more orderly fashion out of actual shops along Xīchāng Street Lane 224 (西昌街224巷).

Some of these shops are more than a century old.

The vendor at the very back of Herb Alley. Whatever you want, they’ve probably got it here.

Looking back toward Xichang Street from the depths of Herb Alley.

Back at the entrance to Herb Alley. Here you will find many vendors selling herbal tea to go.

Herb Alley is a dank place by design. The dark, dingy confines of this short street are almost claustrophobic—but it is also sheltered from the elements and ventilated to maintain the freshness of the products being sold. Several of the shops also have ready-made herbal tea for sale, though I can’t say I’ve tried any of their offerings. Mostly I am just interested in putting another obscure place in Wanhua on the map!