Ximending is a must-visit place when you plan for your Taipei Travel. GoogleMaps calls it ‘Ximending Night Market’, but it is not exactly a night market. It is rather a walking and shopping area with high concentration of hip, funky, and interesting subcultures. Ximending shopping street is accessible from Exit 6 of Taipei MRT Ximen Station. This area is nice for either shopping, eating street foods, or just a walk.
In this Taipei Travel guide, I’ll recommend where to stay in Ximending, what food you should try, what to do in Ximending, and all the Ximending night life activities you shouldn’t miss.
Where to Stay in Ximending?
Ximen Hotels:
If you are looking for some convenient Taipei Hotels, those located near Ximending are no doubt the best hotels you could find in Taipei. Ximending is central enough to put the rest of Taipei at your fingertips, Huaxi Street Night Market and Ningxia Street Night Market are both in walking distance.
Besides, you can find other major Taipei tourist attractions like Longshan Temple, National Taiwan Museum, and 228 Peace Memorial Park nearby. Most important of all, you can access the entire city through the incredibly efficient Taipei MRT. There are too many Taipei hotels and hostels around Ximending, so here I’ll only list out a few of the budget hotels.
Budget hotels in Ximending:
Taipei Triple Tiger Hostel
If you want to save budget for more foods and souvenirs, Taipei Triple Tiger Hostel would be a great option. It is the low-budget king hostel in Ximending which offers everything from dorms to private rooms. This Taiwan hostel is only 5 minute walk to Taipei MRT Ximen Station.
Roaders Hotel
Only 400m from Ximending Shopping Area, Roaders Hotel provides stylish and spacious guest rooms in Taipei. Guests can enjoy free WiFi throughout the property.
Taipei Timho Hotel
Taipei Timho Hotel is located in the popular Ximending shopping area, it offers modern, air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi, and is located right next to Ximen MRT Station.
Next Taipei Hostel
Next Taipei Hostel is located in Ximending Shopping Area, which is only 5- minute walk to MRT Ximen station or the Ximen Red House. Free WiFi access is available.
Local Foods and Cafés in Ximending:
There are lots of restaurants, street foods, and coffee shops in the area. I bet you’ll have difficulties making decisions. So here are some of the best and most unique places you should visit:
Modern Toilet
Modern Toilet is a toilet themed restaurant. The seats are real toilets, and the foods, ermmm… are poop shaped food served in toilet bowls. It might sound crazy at first, but you’ll find it amusing when you give it a try. The food itself might only be slightly above average; however, the vibe is great overall.
Address: 2F, No 7,Ln 50,Xining S. Rd., Taipei City Tel: +886 2 23118822 Opening hours: Mon.-Thu. 11:30AM-10PM (Service hours 21:00)
Fri.-Sun. 11:30AM-10:30PM (Service hours 21:30)
Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle
Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle is a classic street food in Taipei. It is a bowl of Taiwanese vermicelli, which the locals called Mee-Sua. Compared to other Taiwanese “Mee Sua” which would probably include oysters, Ah Zong’s version had large pig intestines which were soft and chewy. The queue is always long but they are very efficient and therefore the waiting time is minimal. Don’t forget to try some when you make it to Ximending.
Address: No. 8-1, Emei St., Wanhua District, Taipei 108
Opening hours: Mon.–Thu. 10AM–10:30PM Fri.–Sun. from 10AM–11PM
Ximending Soy Milk
Run by an elderly Taiwanese woman, Ximending Soy Milk has been serving the most authentic Taiwanese breakfast since 1978. When you look at the menu, you’ll find out plenty of options, from scallion pancakes, Chinese crepes, to sticky rice rolls, you name it. Start your day of trip with a cup of soy milk!
Address: No. 22, Hanzhong Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City Opening Hours: Mon.-Sun. 6AM-2PM
Lau Tian Lu
Lau Tian Lu is another must try at Ximending. It is only 3 minute away from Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle. The store was founded in 1949 and offers a wide selection of braised products such as the signature duck tongues, duck gizzards, duck heads, chicken wings, chicken feet, chicken drumsticks, assorted bean curds, beef stomach, seaweed, braised egg, etc.
Address: No. 55, Sec. 2, Wuchang St., Wanhua Dist Ximending, Taipei Taiwan Tel: +886 2 2361 5588 Opening hours: Mon.-Sun. 9:30AM-10PM
Fong Da Coffee
Fong Da Coffee at Chengdu Street, Ximending is one of the oldest coffee shop in Taipei since 1956. It is allegedly the first business to introduce iced coffee in Taiwan. Beside coffee, they also serve various kinds of teas and juices. There are also rows of huge glass jars filled with traditional cookies and biscuits. The walnut cookie is worth a try, don’t miss it if you happen to be at this area.
Address: 42 Chengdu Road, Wanhua District (Ximending), Taipei City
Tel: +886 2 2371 9577
Opening Hours: Mon.-Sun. 8:00AM – 10:30PM
Tian Tian Li
Braised pork over rice is one of the most famous local food in Taiwan. Tian Tian Li serves their customers with cheap and delicious braised pork over rice. You could also order it with a fried egg, which will take your dish to a whole new level of flavor. Besides braised pork over rice, Tian Tian Li serves a variety of delicious Taiwanese cuisine such as Turnip Cake, Meatball Soup, Fried Oyster Omelet and etc. I would definitely recommend you to check out this eatery.
Address: No.1, Lane 32, Hanzhong Street, Wanhua District, Taipei, Taiwan Tel: +886 2 2375 6299 Opening Hours: Mon. (Closed) Tues.-Sun. 9:30AM-10:00PM
Partying in Ximending: Taipei Night Life 🍹
KTV New CB Party
KTV New CB Party is one of the most popular places to go especially among youngsters. A typical Taiwanese night definitely involve going to a karaoke bar. If you are traveling with your friends, I would definitely recommend you to give it a try. It is a place for you sing all night and grab some snacks and drinks at the same time. Even more, you can order food into your reserved karaoke room and enjoy the food while singing. Sounds fun, right? Believe me, you will not regret after giving it a try!
Café Dalida
If you are looking for an outdoor place where you can have some drinks and meet new friends, Café Dalida is it. It is located beside Ximen Red House and is known as a gay bar. Rated as one of the best bars in Taipei, they serve some of the strongest cocktails which you could get some relax after whole day of sightseeing. They also hold drag shows on weekends. Best events, people, and atmosphere all at once! You cannot miss this place when you’re in Taipei!
The 58 Bar
The 58 Bar is a craft beer bar which serves more than 50 kinds of Taiwan craft beers. They also offer dishes like fish and chips, pizzas, and onion rings to go with your beers. The 58 bar is a must visit for anyone seeking out nice local beers in a friendly atmosphere.
Ximending Attractions
There are countless of tourist attractions and things to do in Ximending area, here I’ll list out a few:
The Red House, also known as Honglou, is built in 1908 by the Japanese, this Western-style building and its surrounding square located at Ximending features exhibits, teahouses, markets, and theaters.
Inside are small shops displaying the work of some of the young creative designers of the city. It is a chance to buy some artsy stuff or unique souvenirs.
Wan Nian Commercial Building is small but old school. The building is historic and has been a famous shopping mall since 1970s. Also, it is a place especially famous for local toy collectors. There are all kinds of shopping options, including fashion clothings, toys, comic books, electronic games, etc.
Zhongshan Hall is one of Taipei’s most important historical buildings. The hall served as an important activity center during the Japanese colonial era, and later become a national historic site in Taiwan. Currently, the hall has several auditoriums used for arts performances.
The North Gate is located at the intersection of Zhongxiao West Road, Yanping North Road, Zhonghua Road, Yanping South Road and Bo’ai Road in Zhongzheng District. It is one of the five historic city gates in Taipei.
Tattoo street
If you are interested in getting a tattoo or piercing in Taipei, don’t forget to visit Ximending Tattoo Street!
American Street
American Street is located behind the busy shopping area in Ximending, down the back alleys of Kunming Street. There are graffiti lanes that are filled with graffitis and street arts, making it a great place to appreciate Taipei’s subculture.
Location: Lane 96 of Kunming Street
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