Songshan District

Understand

Zhongshan and Songshan cover a swathe of central Taipei. The districts are home to a number of museums and galleries, and also include the bohemian Zhongshan MRT Station area, which is known for its cool cafes, quirky boutiques, and distinctive restaurants.

Getting there

The MRT green and red lines serve all or part of the two districts.

See

Landmarks 1 Grand Hotel (圓山大飯店). This majestic hotel has graced the photograph albums of numerous generations of Taipei tourists. And, although the increase in other attractions may have led to it losing its status as the must-see-destination, this imposing structure, built in the style of a Beijing palace, still manages to attract bus loads of tourists wishing to have their photograph taken outside the main building and in the foyer. The tea rooms on the first floor are a good place to relax and absorb the grandeur of dynastic China. The hills behind the hotel are crisscrossed by a vast network of trails, footpaths, pavilions, and an abandoned military anti-aircraft base and are a popular exercise spot for locals and urban explorers. Getting there: MRT to Yuanshan station, then hop on the free shuttle bus. 2 Martyr's Shrine (忠烈祠), 139 Beian Road. Su-F 09:00-17:00. temple memorializing those who gave their lives for the Republic of China (ROC) during its tenure on mainland China and it's later existence on Taiwan. A changing of the guard ceremony is performed at the top of the hour where a military honor guard performs an impressive series of gun twirling and tossing in front of astounded tourists. To get to the shrine take the MRT to the Jiantan Station, then take the Red 3 bus from the same side of the street the rest of the way, get off at the third stop. 3 Xingtian Temple (行天宮), Corner of Minquan East Road and Songjiang Road. The temple was built in 1967 and was devoted to Guangong (AD 162-219), a famous deified general who lived during the Three Kingdoms period, and he is an important character in the Chinese classic Romance of the Three Kingdoms. The temple forbids the killing of animals as an offering, so you will see offerings of only fresh flowers, fruits and tea on the main altar. Many believers feel that this is a very efficacious temple, and it is frequently thronged with people praying for help and seeking divine guidance by consulting oracle blocks

Do

Children's Recreation Center. It is an amusement park on Zhongshan North Road Sec. 3, nearest MRT station is 'Yuanshan' on Danshui Line. The center was created by city government in 1991. It has old-fashioned rides, folk art museum, IMAX theater and more. This place is great for younger kids. 1 Miramar Entertainment Park (美麗華), 22 Jinye 3rd Road (敬業三路22號) (MRT Jiannan, free shuttle buses to the mall from Jiantan MRT Station on the half hour during week days and more frequently at the weekend and on national holidays), ☏ +886 2 2175-3456. 11:00-00:00. This up-scale shopping mall in the suburb of Dazhi operates a large Ferris wheel that offers great views over the city. It is especially spectacular at night, when not only the city but also the Ferris wheel is illuminated. The 15-minute ride costs NT$150 on weekdays and NT$200 on weekends. The same complex also houses a 3D Imax movie theater and a multi-screen Warner Village cinema. NT$150 on weekdays and NT$200 on weekends. (updated Jan 2018) 2 Spot - Taipei Film House (台北之家), Zhongshan North Rd, Sec. 2 (Zhongshan MRT on the green and red lines). Tu-Su 11:00-22:00. The former residence of the U.S. Ambassador has been transformed into an art center that focuses on independent films. In addition to screenings, the house also has great cafes and restaurants that spill out onto balconies and into the garden. The bookstore offers a good selection of hard-to-get art/independent films on DVD, though for other movies, prices are lower at regular DVD rental stores. (updated Dec 2017) 3 TaipeiEYE (臺北戲棚), No 113, Sec 2, Zhongshan North Rd, ☏ +886 2 2568 2677. The venue is recognized for its traditional Chinese and Taiwanese performing arts. Following a tradition that dates back to the 18th century. The 90-minute evening show is a form of Chinese opera that incorporates mime, dance, acrobatics and martial arts. During the live performance, the dialogue and even the songs are translated into multiple languages, including English.

Buy

1 Breeze Center (微風廣場 Weifeng Guangchang), 39 Fuxing South Rd, ☏ +886 2 6600-8888. Su-Th 11:00-21:30, F Sa 11:00-22:00. Sec. 1 (near the intersection with Civic Boulevard). Eslite Spectrum (誠品生活), 14 Nanjing West Road (from exit 2 Zhongshan MRT Station, turn right; the store is directly in the right), ☏ +886 2 25813358. M-Th 11:00-22:00, F-Su 11:00-22:30. Contains bookshop, cafe, restaurants, and stalls specializing in creative household items. (updated Feb 2019) Eslite Underground Bookstore, Near exit R79, Zhongshan MRT Station (exit MRT ticket barriers, take a left; the bookstore is on the right), ☏ +886 2 2563 9818. 10:00-22:00. A section of an underground mall dedicated to books and creative arts. (updated Feb 2019) 2 Lovely Taiwan (台灣好), 18-2, Lane 25, Nanjing West Road (exit R7 Zhongshan MRT, turn left; the store is on the road running parallel to the MRT lane), ☏ +886 2 2558 2616. 12:00-21:00. A shop specializing in Taiwanese hand-made goods. (updated Dec 2017) 3 Miramar Entertainment Park (美麗華百樂園), No. 20, Jingye 3rd Road, Zhongshan District, ☏ +886 2 2175 3456. A standard shopping center with the usual merchandise. It houses the only IMAX theatre in Taiwan as well as the Miramar Ferris wheel which offers great views of Taipei city. (updated Dec 2017) 4 Taipei Expo Farmer's Market (花博農民市集), No. 1號, Yumen St, Zhongshan District. Sa 10:00-19:00, Su 10:00-18:00. A weekend market with over 100 stalls, focusing on fresh produce, Taiwanese tea, and other local agricultural products. (updated Nov 2024)

Night markets

5 Raohe Street Night Market (opposite the Songshan Administration Center, at the intersection of Sec. 4, Bade Rd. and Fuyuan St). This well-organized night market attracts tourists from both overseas and across the country, as many consider it a culinary highlight of Taipei. 6 Shuangcheng Street Night Market, Shuangcheng Street, Zhongshan (close to Zhongshan Elementary School MTR, next to the Aloft hotel). 24 hours. Small and popular with locals

Eat

Budget 1 Shijie Vegetarian Restaurant (世界素食館), No 9, Alley 6, Lane 40, Changan West Road (exit R4, Zhongshan MRT Station, double back, cross Changan West Road; the restaurant is a few minutes walk on the left), ☏ +886 2 2541 4787. A very traditional family run Chinese vegetarian restaurant. Amazing food. Very little English spoken, but photographs of dishes on menu. (updated Dec 2017) Tandoor Indian Restaurant (坦都印度餐廳), 10, Lane 73, Hejiang Street, ☏ +886 2 2509-9853. (updated Jan 2018) Xian Ding Wei Restaurant (鮮定味), 67 Changan East Rd Sec 1 (總店) (near MRT ZhongShan Station, just take a taxi to go, should cost you around NT$100 max), ☏ +886 2 2567 3331.

Mid