Discover Ximending: A Popular City Walk

Ximending, known as the "Harajuku of Taipei", is a lively neighbourhood in the city. Here, you can see all kinds of trendy things and pop culture, from blind-box figurines to anime and comics. It's a fascinating mix of contrasts. If you love popular culture and want to discover new things, this is definitely a must-visit spot in Taipei.

Ximending offers a variety of accommodations, from hostels to luxury hotels. It's a great choice if you're staying in Taipei, due to its convenient location.

Ximending City Walk Route

We suggest starting your Ximending walk in the early afternoon to enjoy its transition from calm daytime to vibrant nightlife. Fewer crowds during the day let you explore and walk freely, while the evening brings locals, tourists, street food stalls, and performers, turning the area into a lively night scene. 

Here's a specially designed walking route to help you experience the highlights.

Afternoon

Start at Exit 6 of Ximen MRT Station. At the crossroad, turn right and walk 80 meters to find the Rainbow Flag. The Rainbow Flag is a symbol of equality and inclusion, and it's painted on the ground. It's a popular photo spot, but cars go over it, so it's safer to snap a pic from the sidewalk with the flag in the background.

Rainbow flag in Ximending

Walk straight for 60 meters, then turn left to reach the famous Ay-Chung Flour Rice Noodles. Stand outside like the locals and enjoy a warm bowl of noodles in rich bonito broth with braised pork intestines.

On the left, walk about 90 meters to POP MART. You could find the popular blind-box figurines here. Take a chance, and you might score a hidden edition!

After leaving the shop, walk another 100 meters and turn left at the crossroad to find Wan Nian Building. This is a dream spot for anime lovers, packed with model kits, comics, and collectibles.

Keep walking another 90 meters, then turn left at the crossroad to reach Taipei Tianhou Temple. It's full of intricate architecture details. The staff offers insightful explanations, and you may even see young locals praying or drawing a fortune stick. 

Tianhou Temple

After the visit to Tianhou Temple, cross the road into Lane 10, Chengdu Road. A few steps in, you'll spot the iconic Red House Theater. Admire its octagonal design and red brick walls, snap some photos, and check out the cultural shops inside for unique local souvenirs. 

Red House Theater in Ximending

Grab a cup of 50 Lan bubble milk tea right next to the Red House Theater. The perfect sweetness, smooth milk tea, and chewy tapioca pearls make for a refreshing treat.

Evening

From the Red House Theater, walk 400 meters north to Tian Tian Li Delicacies and enjoy their signature dish as your dinner—braised pork rice with a soft, runny egg. Simple, but incredibly delicious.

After dinner, walk 40 meters south back to the crossroad, turn right, and walk 55 meters to Don Don Donki. Pick up some fun and affordable Japanese snacks while the store's catchy jingle plays in the background.

Keep walking 170 meters along the right side. At the crossroad, turn left and walk another 50 meters to reach American Street. It is full of trendy streetwear shops and vibrant graffiti art. These stunning graffiti that take up an entire wall are perfect for a photo backdrop.

• If you're into Sanrio, visit the 7-Eleven Sanrio Themed Store for cute photo ops with Kuromi, Hello Kitty and other friends. It's located north of America Street. Just walk for 4 minutes, cross two intersections, then turn left.
• For something truly strange, try Modern Toilet, a restaurant where food is served in toilet-shaped dishes. It's open until 9:00 pm and located in an alley on the right side of America Street, just a 2-minute walk to get there. The food itself is normal, but the experience is all about the novelty. Eating from a toilet-shaped bowl might not be the most appetizing, but I'd recommend trying their ice cream and snapping a fun photo.

Leave American Street, turn right, walk 80 meters, and turn left at the crossroad. A few steps later, you'll find yourself back where you started. At night, this area transforms into a lively night market. Here, you could try bold and tasty stinky tofu, juicy grilled sausages, crispy fried spare ribs, or traditional Taiwanese mochi balls. From trendy bites to classic flavors, these street snacks will fill your belly and help you unwind after walking.

Other places to go

For music lovers, explore the record shops scattered around Ximending—you might find that rare vinyl you've been after. There are dozens of record shops within the Ximending area, all less than a 10-minute walk from the start point of our walking route.

If you're feeling adventurous, Ximending has some quirky food experiences. Snow King Ice Cream offers unusual flavors like pig's feet, meat floss, sesame oil chicken, and even high-proof liquor. It's a fun challenge for your taste buds, though it's a bit pricey. This shop is a bit off the main walking route, across the street and about an 8-minute walk from the Exit 6 of Ximen MRT Station. It's open until 8:00 pm, making it a great final stop for your city walk.

Tips

• Ximending has some awesome street performances, especially on Saturday nights. If you see an artist you want to photograph, just ask first—it's a nice way to respect their work!
• The area is full of subculture lovers, cosplayers, comic and anime expos and unique fashion stores. It's the perfect place if you're into ACG (Animation, Comics, and Games) culture and alternative art. You can even rent some cosplay costumes and act as your favorite characters.

Plan Your Visit to Ximending

Ximending is the perfect mix of adventure, culture, and modern vibes. It's a great place for anyone looking for a fun and memorable experience. Ready to explore this exciting neighborhood? Let us help you customize the perfect itinerary to make the most of your time in Taipei!