Taipei Shopping Tour (Self Guided), Taipei
Among the many things Taipei is famous for, shopping is undoubtedly one of the main. The fashion-conscious and business-oriented Taiwanese capital is rightfully regarded to be a shopper’s paradise in East Asia, comparable to the likes of Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. The variety of markets, boutique stores, shopping districts and, of course, first-class malls here is truly impressive and enough to make the most discerning shopaholics shop till they drop.
Keeping up with the latest vogue is a full-time job in Taipei. Those keen to learn the tricks of the trade, should head to Ximending. This traffic-free shopping and entertainment area, otherwise known as Ximending Youth Shopping District – for being flooded with young hipsters and teenagers, is ideal for that. You can start your spree at the Wan Nian Commercial Building and Shinjuku Plaza. And if there's an owl in you waiting to be satisfied, consider Ximending Night Market where you can both, shop for trendy items and taste authentic local food in a safe atmosphere.
Due to its highly dense population and lack of space, Taipei also has many underground markets and transit malls. One such place is called Taipei City Mall. Divided into three sections, it has hundreds of shops to choose from, the bulk of which specialize in clothing, electronics and food. The wares on sale are generally on the budget end of the scale. For fans of anime, there's also plenty of specialist stores catering to this passion.
It would certainly be a pity to leave Taipei without having explored the local shopping scene in its entirety. To find your way around the city's top – in terms of price range and variety – shopping locations, check out this self-guided walking tour of Taipei and perhaps get yourself something truly original to reflect your visit!
Keeping up with the latest vogue is a full-time job in Taipei. Those keen to learn the tricks of the trade, should head to Ximending. This traffic-free shopping and entertainment area, otherwise known as Ximending Youth Shopping District – for being flooded with young hipsters and teenagers, is ideal for that. You can start your spree at the Wan Nian Commercial Building and Shinjuku Plaza. And if there's an owl in you waiting to be satisfied, consider Ximending Night Market where you can both, shop for trendy items and taste authentic local food in a safe atmosphere.
Due to its highly dense population and lack of space, Taipei also has many underground markets and transit malls. One such place is called Taipei City Mall. Divided into three sections, it has hundreds of shops to choose from, the bulk of which specialize in clothing, electronics and food. The wares on sale are generally on the budget end of the scale. For fans of anime, there's also plenty of specialist stores catering to this passion.
It would certainly be a pity to leave Taipei without having explored the local shopping scene in its entirety. To find your way around the city's top – in terms of price range and variety – shopping locations, check out this self-guided walking tour of Taipei and perhaps get yourself something truly original to reflect your visit!
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Taipei Shopping Tour Map
Guide Name: Taipei Shopping Tour
Guide Location: Taiwan » Taipei (See other walking tours in Taipei)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 6
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Author: DanaOffice
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: Taiwan » Taipei (See other walking tours in Taipei)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 6
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Author: DanaOffice
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Taipei City Mall
- Chengzhong Market
- Ximending District and Red House Theater
- Ximending Night Market
- Shinjuku Plaza
- Wan Nian Building
1) Taipei City Mall
The Taipei City Mall is an underground mall located under Civic Boulevard in central Taipei. There are more than 180 shops that sell clothing, electronics and food.
The mall is a popular place to find souvenirs, get something to eat or simply get out of the heat of a Taipei summer. The underground location ensures that visitors stay cool even on the hottest day of the year.
This mall, built in 2000, is the oldest underground mall in the city. It also has a number of low-cost shops that are ideal for those who want to shop without spending a lot of money. Many anime and gaming-focused stores populate the mall. Visitors can also enjoy an arcade, a massage or a visit with a fortune teller.
The Taipei City Mall is open every day. The mall opens at 11 AM throughout the week. It closes at 9:30 PM on weekdays and 10 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.
The mall is a popular place to find souvenirs, get something to eat or simply get out of the heat of a Taipei summer. The underground location ensures that visitors stay cool even on the hottest day of the year.
This mall, built in 2000, is the oldest underground mall in the city. It also has a number of low-cost shops that are ideal for those who want to shop without spending a lot of money. Many anime and gaming-focused stores populate the mall. Visitors can also enjoy an arcade, a massage or a visit with a fortune teller.
The Taipei City Mall is open every day. The mall opens at 11 AM throughout the week. It closes at 9:30 PM on weekdays and 10 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.
2) Chengzhong Market
Chengzhong Market is a busy market located on Wuchang Street in the Zhongzheng District of Taipei. The market has a variety of vendors that sell wares like clothing, shoes, handbags, housewares, toiletries and food items.
The low prices at Chengzhong Market bring in many locals along with tourists. Visitors can expect tight spaces and a large amount of traffic, but it is worthwhile to experience a traditional Taiwanese market with a wide variety of items.
Heading to Chengzhong Market in the evening gives visitors a glimpse of the brilliant lights strung between the street and the lanterns that hang overhead. This is also likely to be the busiest time at Chengzhong Market, so evenings provide ample people watching as well. Conversely, many tourists prefer mornings at the market where they can have a late breakfast while shopping.
Chengzhong Market is open daily between the hours of 10 AM and 8 PM.
The low prices at Chengzhong Market bring in many locals along with tourists. Visitors can expect tight spaces and a large amount of traffic, but it is worthwhile to experience a traditional Taiwanese market with a wide variety of items.
Heading to Chengzhong Market in the evening gives visitors a glimpse of the brilliant lights strung between the street and the lanterns that hang overhead. This is also likely to be the busiest time at Chengzhong Market, so evenings provide ample people watching as well. Conversely, many tourists prefer mornings at the market where they can have a late breakfast while shopping.
Chengzhong Market is open daily between the hours of 10 AM and 8 PM.
3) Ximending District and Red House Theater (must see)
Ximending is one of Taipei’s most dynamic districts and a place where the city’s past and present intersect most visibly. Developed during the Japanese colonial period shortly after 1895, the area was planned as Taiwan’s first pedestrian zone and as a modern commercial and entertainment quarter. Inspired in part by Tokyo’s Asakusa district, Ximending quickly established itself as a centre for theatres, cafés, shops, and nightlife. Today, it remains one of Taipei’s busiest areas, attracting up to three million shoppers each month, drawn by its concentration of retail, food, and street culture.
At the heart of Ximending stands the Red House Theater. Dating back to 1908, when Taipei was under Japanese rule, the building was designed by Japanese architect Kondō Jūrō and originally served as a public market. Its octagonal brick structure and red-brick façade made it a recognisable landmark from the outset. Inside the Red House, you will encounter the history museum and the “100 Treasures” exhibit. Then, walk straight northwest through to the Cruciform Building (basically the back section) to explore the 16 Creative Boutiques, where you can find unique handmade goods from local designers. On the south-side plaza outside, look for the concentration of open-air bars that form the heart of Taipei’s nightlife.
The open square in front of the Red House has long played an important role in the district’s public life. It has previously served as a venue for events such as the Lantern Festival, and on occasion, visitors may even encounter unannounced performances or pop-up concerts by well-known artists. Today, the Red House hosts cultural performances, exhibitions, and creative markets featuring local designers and craftspeople.
At the heart of Ximending stands the Red House Theater. Dating back to 1908, when Taipei was under Japanese rule, the building was designed by Japanese architect Kondō Jūrō and originally served as a public market. Its octagonal brick structure and red-brick façade made it a recognisable landmark from the outset. Inside the Red House, you will encounter the history museum and the “100 Treasures” exhibit. Then, walk straight northwest through to the Cruciform Building (basically the back section) to explore the 16 Creative Boutiques, where you can find unique handmade goods from local designers. On the south-side plaza outside, look for the concentration of open-air bars that form the heart of Taipei’s nightlife.
The open square in front of the Red House has long played an important role in the district’s public life. It has previously served as a venue for events such as the Lantern Festival, and on occasion, visitors may even encounter unannounced performances or pop-up concerts by well-known artists. Today, the Red House hosts cultural performances, exhibitions, and creative markets featuring local designers and craftspeople.
4) Ximending Night Market
Ximending Night Market is one of Taipei’s most popular evening destinations and a natural extension of the lively Ximending District. Its roots date back to the early 20th century, when Ximending developed under Japanese rule as Taipei’s main entertainment quarter, filled with theatres, cafés, and shops. As crowds gathered in the area after dark, food stalls and vendors gradually emerged.
What sets Ximending Night Market apart from other night markets in Taipei is its close connection to the Japanese era. Much of the surrounding architecture retains visible Japanese influences. The same can be said of the food, as several stalls offer flavours and snacks inspired by Japanese street cuisine alongside classic Taiwanese favourites.
Unlike night markets confined to a single street, Ximending Night Market spreads across a network of pedestrian lanes and open squares within Taiwan’s first pedestrian zone. This makes it easy to move between food stalls, retail shops, cinemas, and performance spaces, all amid bright signs, music, and a constant flow of people.
Food remains a major draw, with offerings ranging from fried chicken cutlets and oyster omelets to bubble tea, grilled squid, and sweet pastries. The market is especially popular with younger crowds thanks to its many quirky and trend-driven shops. Visitors may stumble upon claw machine arcades, themed boutiques, or bubble tea cafés selling playful, eye-catching drinks.
Beyond shopping and eating, the market stays active well into the night with street performers, pop-up entertainment, and an unmistakably youthful energy.
What sets Ximending Night Market apart from other night markets in Taipei is its close connection to the Japanese era. Much of the surrounding architecture retains visible Japanese influences. The same can be said of the food, as several stalls offer flavours and snacks inspired by Japanese street cuisine alongside classic Taiwanese favourites.
Unlike night markets confined to a single street, Ximending Night Market spreads across a network of pedestrian lanes and open squares within Taiwan’s first pedestrian zone. This makes it easy to move between food stalls, retail shops, cinemas, and performance spaces, all amid bright signs, music, and a constant flow of people.
Food remains a major draw, with offerings ranging from fried chicken cutlets and oyster omelets to bubble tea, grilled squid, and sweet pastries. The market is especially popular with younger crowds thanks to its many quirky and trend-driven shops. Visitors may stumble upon claw machine arcades, themed boutiques, or bubble tea cafés selling playful, eye-catching drinks.
Beyond shopping and eating, the market stays active well into the night with street performers, pop-up entertainment, and an unmistakably youthful energy.
5) Shinjuku Plaza
Shopping in Taipei is nearly synonymous with Shinjuku Plaza. The mall, located next to the Wan Nian Building, offers six floors of clothing, shoes and souvenirs.
Shinjuku Plaza is filled with stores that are run by independent sellers. Shoppers can find name-brand merchandise as well as one-of-a-kind styles. Prices aren't as attractive as some of the outdoor markets, but shoppers can be assured they are getting high-end products rather than convincing lookalikes.
Along with shopping, patrons of Shinjuku Plaza can visit a nail salon, hair salon or a tattoo parlor. The plaza has a cinema and a number of restaurants as well.
Located in the Ximending district, Shinjuku Plaza has a distinct Japanese influence. This can be seen in the design of the architecture and many of the eateries. The plaza opens at noon, which is a perfect time to sample some sushi, dim sum or sip on a trendy bubble tea.
Shinjuku Plaza is filled with stores that are run by independent sellers. Shoppers can find name-brand merchandise as well as one-of-a-kind styles. Prices aren't as attractive as some of the outdoor markets, but shoppers can be assured they are getting high-end products rather than convincing lookalikes.
Along with shopping, patrons of Shinjuku Plaza can visit a nail salon, hair salon or a tattoo parlor. The plaza has a cinema and a number of restaurants as well.
Located in the Ximending district, Shinjuku Plaza has a distinct Japanese influence. This can be seen in the design of the architecture and many of the eateries. The plaza opens at noon, which is a perfect time to sample some sushi, dim sum or sip on a trendy bubble tea.
6) Wan Nian Building
The Wan Nian Building is a commercial building in the Ximending district. It was founded as a spot for shopping and continues to offer clothing, electronics, gaming and much more. It is particularly known for toy stores
This famed shopping mall was erected in 1973 from a design by architect Cai Baifeng. It was built as a place for the youth of the region to shop and spend time with friends. The building was particularly known for a popular ice skating rink and trendy restaurants.
Much of its appeal has remained steady for the last five decades. The building now has an arcade and amusement center on its fifth floor, a cafe on the top floor and a series of restaurants that are both old and new.
Wan Nian Building is open seven days per week. Shops are open from 11 AM through 9:30 PM Tuesdays through Thursdays, 11 AM through 10 PM on Saturdays and Sundays and 2 PM through 9:30 PM on Mondays.
This famed shopping mall was erected in 1973 from a design by architect Cai Baifeng. It was built as a place for the youth of the region to shop and spend time with friends. The building was particularly known for a popular ice skating rink and trendy restaurants.
Much of its appeal has remained steady for the last five decades. The building now has an arcade and amusement center on its fifth floor, a cafe on the top floor and a series of restaurants that are both old and new.
Wan Nian Building is open seven days per week. Shops are open from 11 AM through 9:30 PM Tuesdays through Thursdays, 11 AM through 10 PM on Saturdays and Sundays and 2 PM through 9:30 PM on Mondays.
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