Fun things to do in Ximending area
A busy pocket of shops, snacks, and cinemas near Ximen MRT Station
Ximending area is one of Taipei’s best-known shopping and entertainment districts, especially popular with younger crowds.
During the Japanese colonial period, it was developed as an entertainment district, and it still has that character today, with cinemas, shops, street food, tattoo parlors located near Ximen MRT Station.
You can book a walking tour if you want more historical context, but it is also an easy area to explore on your own.
Here are three places This Is Taipei visited in 2026 that are worth adding to your Ximending wander.
#1: Red House and Bar Area
A historic market turned tourist shopping and performance hub
Built in 1908 during the Japanese colonial period, the Red House is one of Ximending’s most recognizable landmarks and one of Taiwan’s earliest Western-style market buildings, according to the Taipei City Government.
Originally known as the “Market Octagon,” it sold flowers, books, medicine, Japanese preserves, and local produce before being repurposed as a theater after World War II.
Today, the first floor is home to shops selling creative arts, crafts, and souvenirs by local artists and designers, while the second floor operates as a theater and performance space.
It’s free to enter and is close to Exit 1 of Ximen MRT Station.
In the evening, the area around the Red House becomes one of Taipei’s liveliest LGBTQ+ places, with plenty of places to grab a drink. On weekends, a market also operates, selling a variety of souvenirs.
#2: Rainbow Crossing
Taipei’s colorful photo stop
Just outside Exit 6 of Ximen MRT Station, Rainbow Crossing, also known as Rainbow Six, is one of Ximending’s most popular photo spots.
The crossing was created in 2019, the same year Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, to show Taipei's support for the LGBTQ+ community and gender equality. Since then, it has become a must-visit stop for many visitors exploring the area.
In August 2025, it was repainted and reoriented so people could photograph it with the shopping district in the background.
It's an easy add-on to your itinerary if you are already visiting the Red House or wandering around the Ximending area.
#3: Ximen Shopping District
Big brands and small vendors alike vie for attention
The main pedestrian zone near Ximen MRT Station is the busiest shopping part of Ximending, with major brands, restaurants, and smaller shops packed into a compact area.
According to the Taipei City Government, it is made up of three main streets near Exit 6: Hanzhong Street, Emei Street, and Wuchang Street, Section 2.
Here, you’ll find familiar brands such as H&M and Lush alongside tattoo parlors, small fashion shops, phone accessory stores, street food, claw machines, and plenty of souvenir shops of varying quality.
It is not really the place for luxury shopping, but it works well for casual browsing, snacks and small purchases. There's a lot of shoe stores of all kinds and quality, making it a great area to browse for sneakers or casual footwear.
In the afternoon, it feels very much like a shopping district, but by evening, with the lights, crowds, and food stalls, it becomes more night-market-adjacent.
If shopping is your main goal, we recommend going in the late afternoon. If you are more interested in the atmosphere, evening is your best bet.
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