Aside from the usual, mandatory tourist pitstops like Taipei 101 and Shilin night market, there are much more to discover about this city from the historical sites to bookstores and alternative nightlife choices. Here is our guide to the other side of Taipei. 

 

Beyond the amazing historical sites like Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall and Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall, Taipei brims with contemporary cultural attractions as well. The Taiwanese government has made big on its commitment to encouraging product design and sustainable development, and across the capital, it’s easy to find exhibitions and design stores that integrate the uniqueness of Taiwanese art into new, trendy and useful products. Two of the best places to find inspiration include Songshan Cultural Park and Huashan 1914 Creative Park, which many Thais have compared with Bangkok’s The Jam Factory thanks to its renovated warehouse architecture. The newer of the two, Songshan Cultural Park, was once a tobacco factory, workers’ dormitory and daycare facilities before its stunning renovation. It now plays host to rotating exhibitions all year round. On the same grounds, the Taiwan Design Museum is the best place to explore the design movement in Taiwan. 

 

 

Not far away, Eslite Spectrum (No. 88, Yanchang Rd.) is a brand-new building that houses one of the city's biggest branches of the famed Eslite bookstore, a hotel and a boutique mall that’s packed with design stores and lifestyle shops offering plenty of Taiwanese craftsmanship. Hsu & Daughter, for instance, specializes in handmade leatherware and allows customers to practice the craft in-store. 

 

In fact, a visit to any branch of Eslite bookstore is not to be missed, so research which is closest to your accommodation. Just imagine a much bigger Kinokuniya, with a stationery zone, Living Concept zone and a music zone (a real treat for vinyl lovers). After strolling round the store, customers can take some time out for a break at one of the picturesque tea shops right on the site—a refreshing change from Kino’s UFC Cafe!

 

There’s much to be said about Taipei’s boom in boutique stores in recent years. One of the prettiest strips is Fujin Street. Once a purely residential area, this tranquil slice of Minsheng district got a makeover when Taiwanese entrepreneur Jay Wu took inspiration from the sort of shops he found in Tokyo and brought something similar to his home country. Fujin Street is now lined with some of the most Instagram-worthy shops and cafes in the city, emphasizing natural light, craft products, imported Japanese fashion and home decor.

 

 

Some of the highlights include Fujin Tree 355, Fujin Tree 352 and Taipei’s first branch of Japanese multi-label boutique BEAMS. For a mid-shopping coffee break, check out the picture-perfect Fujin Tree 353, while mini florist Greendays holds flower arrangement workshops every now and again. For super-cute stationery, HaveAnice...479 is  one of the more recent additions to the street. 

 

Taipei’s famous night markets are a must-visit for authentic local food, but the city’s also home to trendy new foodie spots worth exploring. For instance, the super modern Mr. Meat (No. 35, Lane 81, Section 2, Dunhua S Rd.) offers a new take on the famous Taiwanese-style hot pot by integrating a butchery into the restaurant, where guests can select a cut of their choice. For a contemporary take on local cuisine, Taiwanese Cuisine & Champagne at Fujin Tree (17 Lane 199, Dunhua South Road) presents a flavorful selection of traditional dishes and pairs them with wine and French Champagne. For a bit of a splurge, Yen Chinese Restaurant at W Taipei (10 Zhongxiao East Road) serves up elegant “nouvelle Cantonese” cuisine as interpreted by Chef Wo Hoi Ming. The fantastic view of the Taipei 101 building at night is a bonus. 

 

The international trend for craft beer has taken Taipei by storm. Taihu Brewery (No. 199 Nanyang Street) in New Taipei operates as a beer distillery and experimentation lab where the team creates new flavors all the time. If that’s too far from downtown, there’s also an outdoor pop-up branch of Taihu right in the city center at Xinyu. Come nightfall, it’s frequented by local customers who come to try the never-ending list of craft beers, right in the midst of the commercial area. 

 

 

Speaking of Xinyi, the area is prime for a night out thanks to the super convenient public transportation and myriad clubbing and cocktail venues. Alchemy Speakeasy Bar Taipei (Xinyi Rd.) is dubbed the best cocktail bar in Taiwan—a must-visit for those wishing to experience the mixology scene abroad. For an upscale pre-gaming spot, Woobar at W Taipei is another place worth checking out as it’s just a stone's-throw from clubbing complex ATT4 Fun, where the party goes on till very late. 

 

For fans of indie music, we recommend a visit to Pipe, a former water factory which brings in alternative bands from all over Asia. Another option, Revolver, runs as a lively bar downstairs and provides a performance venue for aspiring Taiwanese acts on the second floor. We were reminded a little bit of Play Yard in Ladprao.

 

If none of that strikes your fancy, the Dunhua branch of the famed Eslite Bookstore is open 24 hours. Although the onsite cafe only stays open till 1am, and the books are predominantly in Chinese, paying a late-night visit to the store is an experience in itself. We also heard that it’s a great place to spot celebrities and designers.   

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