Attraction · Taipei
Ximending
Taipei's youthful shopping and street-performance district, all neon, sneaker stores, cinemas and snack stalls. It is loud, commercial and genuinely fun after dark.
Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
The visit
Ximending is at its best after dark, when the neon and street performers take over. Browse the shops, catch a film or snack your way through the side streets. It is loud, young and unapologetically commercial.
History and context
Ximending grew around the historic Ximen Red House and became Taipei’s youth shopping and entertainment district. Its pedestrian streets are known for street performance and nightlife.
Ximending was laid out during the Japanese era as a modern entertainment district around the Red House market. It later became Taipei’s first pedestrian shopping zone, and its cinemas, shops and street performances keep the area youthful.
What to see
- Neon shopping streets
- Street performances
- Cinemas and snack stalls
- The historic Ximen Red House
Practical notes
- Allow about: 1.5 hours
- Type: shopping area
- Destination: Taipei
- Tickets: Free
- Best time: Evening
- Booking: Not needed
- Accessibility: Partial
Getting there
- MRT: Ximen, exit 6
Good to know
Combine it with a walk north to the Red House, a restored market with small design shops and bars.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take?
Recommended duration: 1.5 hours.
When is the best time to visit?
Come in the evening, when the area is liveliest.
Do I need to book?
No booking is needed.
Location
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