Ximending has long been one of Taipei’s busiest and most trendsetting neighborhoods. It’s hugely popular with travelers, a center of Taipei’s LGBTQ+ culture, and packed with shops, street food, restaurants, bars, street art, and entertainment.
It’s also my personal favorite neighborhood in Taipei.
I’ve been coming here regularly to eat, shop, drink, and hang out with friends ever since I first moved to Taipei in 2008.
In this guide, I’ll draw on nearly two decades of visits to show you what to see and do, where to eat and shop, and everything else you need to know for visiting Taipei’s coolest neighborhood.
What Is Ximending (and Is It Worth Visiting?)
Ximending (西門町, often shortened to Ximen) takes its name from Ximen (西門), or “West Gate,” one of the gates of Taipei’s former walled city.
The area just outside the gate was developed into a shopping and entertainment district during the Japanese colonial period, when it also became the center of Taipei’s movie theater scene.
Today, Ximending isn’t an official district of Taipei – it is part of the larger Wanhua District.
The name generally refers to the pedestrian shopping and entertainment area just outside Ximen MRT Station, although many attractions commonly associated with Ximending sit just beyond the pedestrian zone.
Ximending has been one of Taipei’s favorite places to shop and hang out for generations.
Today, its busy streets are packed with youth fashion and sneaker shops, anime and pop culture stores, claw machine arcades, tattoo parlors, themed cafes, movie theaters, street art, and street performers.
The area around the historic Red House is also the heart of Taipei’s LGBTQ+ scene.
Travelers have embraced Ximending just as enthusiastically, and it is now one of the most popular areas to stay in Taipei.
You’ll sometimes see Ximending described as “Ximending Night Market.” While the area does have street foods, shops open late, and a lively evening atmosphere, I wouldn’t consider it a true Taipei night market.
It’s primarily a pedestrian shopping and entertainment district, not a true night market like Raohe or Shilin.
Despite how touristy Ximending has become, it’s never felt to me like a neighborhood that exists mainly for tourists – Taiwanese still come here in huge numbers to shop, eat, see movies, and hang out.
So, is Ximending worth visiting? Absolutely. Even if shopping, anime, or nightlife aren’t your thing, Ximending shows a side of Taipei that you won’t experience at temples, museums, or traditional markets.
It’s such an iconic part of the modern city that I don’t think a first-time visit to Taipei is complete without at least taking a walk through it.
Where Is the Ximending Pedestrian Area?
Ximending is located in Wanhua District in western Taipei City. Within walking distance (or one MRT stop) of Taipei Main Station, the broader Ximending area stretches from Zhonghua Road west toward the Tamsui River.
The core of the Ximending Pedestrian Area covers only a few blocks northwest of Ximen MRT Station Exit 6. A looser definition of the area extends farther west to Taipei Cinema Park, a center of Ximending’s street art scene, and south across Chengdu Road to include the Red House and its cluster of LGBTQ+ bars.
Several other attractions lie just outside these boundaries but are still commonly considered part of Ximending.
Best Time to Visit Ximending
Ximending doesn’t really wake up until late morning, with many shops and restaurants opening around 10 or 11 AM and staying open well into the evening.
For that reason, Ximending is best visited in the afternoon or evening, when the streets fill with crowds and the neighborhood is at its liveliest. This also makes it one of Taipei’s best neighborhoods for people-watching.
The area takes on a different vibe after dark, when street performers come out and all the signs light up.
How Much Time Is Needed?
Most travelers will find that 1–2 hours is enough to get a good taste of Ximending.
You could come in the afternoon to focus on shopping, snacking, and seeing a few of the main sights, or visit in the evening for the livelier atmosphere and street performers. Ximending is also easy to return to later if you want to experience both.
If Ximending really sounds like your jam, there’s enough shopping, eating, drinking, and sightseeing to easily fill half a day or even longer.
Recommended 1–2 Hour Itinerary
Starting from Ximen MRT Station Exit 6, take in the scene at Rainbow Six (the Taipei Rainbow Flag) and the crowds spilling into the pedestrian area.
Follow Hanzhong Street into the heart of Ximending, with possible snack stops at places like the famous Xing Fu Tang Bubble Tea and Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodles.
Veer down Tattoo Street, then pass Don Don Donki and the Wan Nian Building, where you’ll find anime and pop culture shops as well as one of the city’s best beef noodle restaurants.
Continue west to admire the street art along America Street and at Taipei Cinema Park before circling back to Tianhou Temple.
Finish at the historic Red House, where you can browse the creative shops or grab a drink on one of the LGBTQ+ bar patios.
See how to fit Ximending into your overall Taipei itinerary here.
Getting to Ximending
Ximen MRT Station (Blue and Green Lines) Exit 6 is the best access point for Ximending and a classic Taipei meet-up spot. The exit puts you right at the entrance to the main pedestrian area.
Just across Chengdu Road, Exit 1 is the closest exit to the Red House, while exits 2, 3, 4, and 5 provide access to several popular hotels on the east side of Zhonghua Road.
If you’re arriving at Taipei Main Station on the Airport MRT, transfer to the Green Line (just follow the signs in the underground walkways) at Beimen Station and ride it one stop to Ximen.
From Taipei Main Station (TRA, HSR, or MRT), take the Blue Line one stop to Ximen. You can also make your way through the station’s underground passages to Exit Z10 and walk from there, which takes around 10–20 minutes depending on where you’re going in Ximending.
By taxi or Uber, a convenient pick-up or drop-off point is on Chengdu Road in front of Rainbow Six and Ximen MRT Exit 6.
There’s also a direct bus from Taoyuan Airport to Ximending – see my guide to getting from Taoyuan Airport to Ximending for this and other options.
Where to Stay in Ximending
Ximending is one of the most popular areas for travelers to stay in Taipei, ideal for those who want a bustling neighborhood with plenty of food and shopping right outside their door, plus easy access to Taipei Main Station.
One of my personal favorite hostels in Taipei, Oani (see on Booking / Agoda / Trip.com) is near Ximen Exit 3. This stylish, newer hostel has a daily social hour with free beer and snacks.
AMBA (see on Booking / Agoda / Trip.com) is my personal go-to mid-range option right in the pedestrian area, while Just Sleep Ximending (see on Booking / Agoda / Trip.com) stands out for its cool artwork and exceptionally cozy lounge.
I share several more recommendations in my guide to the best hotels in Ximending.
Things to Do in Ximending
Most of Ximending’s attractions are packed into or around the pedestrian area, so they’re easy to explore on foot.
In the above interactive map, I’ve pinned all the spots I’ll be mentioning below.
Ximending Pedestrian Area
The Ximending Pedestrian Area is a maze of busy streets and lanes packed with shops, restaurants, street food, entertainment, and crowds.
Rainbow Six (Taipei Rainbow Flag)
Rainbow Six (6號彩虹) is the most famous rainbow pride flag in Taipei. The six-colored flag is painted across Hanzhong Road just outside Ximen MRT Exit 6, at the entrance to the pedestrian shopping area.
In 2026, the rainbow flag was repainted, and the word Taipei now faces inward to Ximending rather than outward.
The view of Rainbow Six with the walls of lit-up signs and advertisements of Ximending shopping district behind it is one of the most iconic scenes of Taipei.
Shopping Streets and Lanes
From Rainbow Six, follow the flow of crowds into the pedestrian shopping area. Even if you don’t want to shop, this is the best place to soak up Ximending’s atmosphere and do some people-watching.
You’ll also sometimes encounter displays and mini demonstrations related to politics (especially Taiwan’s relationship with China), social issues, animal welfare, and other causes.
Despite how many tourists flock here, I still enjoy taking a casual stroll through the area whenever I visit.
If you do want to shop, Hanzhong Street and the several lanes leading off it to either side are lined with shops selling fashionable clothing, accessories, and souvenirs.
Street Performers
Throughout the afternoon and especially in the evening, street performers attract crowds at several points along Hanzhong Street.
Performers include both Taiwanese and international acts.
Claw Machine Arcades
Taiwan is known for its countless claw machine (夾娃娃機) arcades. Insert a coin and try your luck at grabbing and winning anything from cute plushies and anime figures to electronics and packs of tissue paper.
My kids have always loved these machines, so we rarely make it through Ximending without stopping to try a few (read about other things my kids love doing in Taiwan).
Ximending has an especially high concentration of claw machine arcades – I’ve counted at least a dozen of them.
You’ll also see walls of gashapon machines (扭蛋機), where you get a guaranteed little toy in an egg-shaped plastic container.
Cat Cafes
There are at least two excellent cat cafes in Ximending, where you can pay to play with cats.
Le Mao Chef has an energetic collection of young munchkins and allows children – it’s my kids’ favorite cat cafe in Taipei.
The only catch is a high minimum charge of TWD 500, including kids, which means a full meal and drink/dessert.
Fufu Cat Cafe has a range of cat species and prices starting from TWD 55 for 10 minutes, but minimum age is 13. It’s especially popular among local youths.
Read more about these and other cat cafes we love in Taipei.
Street Art around Taipei Cinema Park
As you continue west through Ximending, walk down the short lane known as America Street (美國街) on your way to Taipei Cinema Park.
The lane takes its name from the American vintage clothing and streetwear shops that once clustered here, although only a handful of fashion shops remain today.
America Street also marks the beginning of one of the best areas for street art in Taipei, and most murals here are legal.
Follow the murals and graffiti west to Taipei Cinema Park, where walls, alleys, and former industrial buildings provide a constantly changing canvas for local street artists.
This is one of my favorite corners of Ximending to wander around with a camera, and every time I find something new.
BugCat Capoo House
One of Ximending’s newest attractions is Capoo House Ximending (咖波屋), a three-story space devoted to BugCat Capoo, one of Taiwan’s most popular cartoon characters.
This is much more than a character shop. The three floors are filled with Capoo models, artworks, interactive displays, photo stations, gashapon machines, and other little details to discover.
There’s also a huge selection of Capoo merchandise if you do want to shop.
I recently visited and photographed the whole place – see my complete guide to BugCat Capoo in Taiwan for more about Capoo House and several other Capoo attractions around the country.
Themed 7-Elevens
There are several themed 7-Elevens in the Ximending area, but note most of these are just outside the pedestrian shopping area.
The best-known ones in Ximending are the Sanrio-themed 7-Eleven and this similar one, both with lots of Hello Kitty decorations and merch, to the east and north of Ximending, respectively.
Right on Cinema Street (a street in Ximending with multiple movie theaters) is a Lay’s chips-themed 7-Eleven.
This Open Plaza-themed 7-Eleven, centered on Open-chan (the 7-Eleven Taiwan mascot) and his crew of companions, is south of Ximending.
The Red House & LGBTQ District
At the southern end of the pedestrian shopping area, the Red House is an iconic Taipei landmark turned into an arts and LGBTQ+ center.
The Red House
Built in 1908 during the Japanese colonial period, the Red House (西門紅樓, see official site) originally served as the entrance to Taiwan’s first government-built public market.
Over the decades, the distinctive red-brick building has also served as a theater and cinema.
The Red House is free to enter, and its two floors contain small shops selling creative goods, locally designed products, and Taiwan souvenirs, along with exhibition and performance spaces.
Even if you don’t plan to shop, it’s worth popping inside for a quick look around.
Weekend Creative Market
Every weekend a Creative Art Market is held in the square in front of the Red House. This is the perfect place to shop for cute, locally made crafts, jewelry, accessories, art, clothing, and more.
The market runs from 2:30 to 10 PM on Saturdays and 2:30 to 9:30 PM on Sundays.
Red House LGBTQ+ Square
On the south side of the Red House is a collection of around a dozen LGBTQ+ bars and a few clothing shops. This is Taipei’s unofficial center of gay culture.
Most of the bars have large areas of seating right on the square, so my friends and I call this the “Ximen Patios”.
We’ve spent countless nights socializing here. Several of the bars even offer “all-you-can-drink” deals. Our two favorites are Cafe Dalida and Sol Bistro.
This is not a night club district – don’t expect dancing or shows (for that, try the Locker Room nearby). Rather, this is a place to hang out and chat with friends, and everyone is welcome.
While a few spots open in the mid-afternoon, it’s busiest from evening until around 2 AM. Come here after the annual Taipei Pride Parade (late October) and you’ll find it absolutely packed.
Historic and Cultural Sights
Amid all the shopping and entertainment, Ximending also has a handful of historic and cultural sights.
Tianhou Temple
Taipei Tianhou Temple (臺北天后宮) was founded in 1746 and is dedicated to Matsu, Taiwan’s beloved goddess of the sea.
It was once considered one of the three great temples of old Wanhua (see my list of the best temples in Taipei), although the original temple stood elsewhere and the deity was moved to its present Ximending location after WWII. The current site was formerly a Japanese Shingon Buddhist temple, traces of which remain today.
One thing I’ve always loved about Tianhou Temple is how easy it is to miss.
Its narrow entrance is sandwiched between modern buildings on the southern edge of Ximending’s pedestrian area, but step through it and you suddenly emerge into a surprisingly large temple courtyard filled with lanterns, incense, and worshippers.
The contrast is striking: one minute you’re surrounded by youth fashions, flashing signs, and busy shops, and the next you’re immersed in a place of traditional devotion that has been part of Taipei life for centuries.
Nishi Honganji Square
A few blocks south of the Ximending Pedestrian Area, Nishi Honganji Square (西本願寺廣場) contains the restored remains of what was once one of Taiwan’s largest Japanese Buddhist temples.
Built during the Japanese colonial period, the complex included a large main hall, bell tower, meeting hall, and priests’ residence.
Much of it was destroyed by fire in 1975, but the restored bell tower, perched atop a small grassy mound, several other buildings, and the foundations of the former main hall remain today.
One surviving building is the Rinbansyo, a traditional wooden residence built in 1924 for the temple’s head priest.
It now houses Eighty-Eightea Rinbansyo, one of my favorite traditional teahouses in Taipei, where you can drink Taiwanese tea in tatami rooms overlooking a small Japanese garden.
The teahouse is currently closed for renovations but expected to reopen soon.
Site of Original West Gate
As mentioned above, Ximen (西門) means “West Gate,” referring to one of the five gates of old walled Taipei.
Officially called Baocheng Gate (寶成門), it was completed in 1884 but demolished during Japanese urban redevelopment in 1904 – the only one of Taipei’s five original gates to be completely lost.
Today, two monuments mark the former gate near the intersection of Zhonghua, Hengyang, and Baoqing roads.
Impression of the West Gate (西門印象) is a large steel installation whose columns form an abstract outline of the old gate.
Nearby, the Former Site of Taipei West Gate (臺北府城西門遺址) is marked by a stone monument containing a tiny model of Baocheng Gate, only about a foot tall.
Taipei’s other four historic city gates still survive: Beimen (North Gate), Xiaonanmen (Little South Gate), Nanmen (South Gate), and Dongmen (East Gate).
Shopping in Ximending
Shopping is one of the main reasons to visit Ximending, and the sheer variety is part of the fun.
You’ll find everything from anime collectibles and youth fashions to Taiwanese souvenirs, packaged snacks, and Asian cosmetics, with plenty of Japanese and Korean influence mixed in.
For serious shoppers, see my guides to shopping in Taipei and the best souvenirs to buy in Taiwan.
Anime, Gaming and Pop Culture
Ximending is one of Taipei’s best areas for anime, gaming, and pop culture shopping.
Start with the multi-story Pop Mart flagship for blind boxes and collectibles, while the aging but fascinating Wan Nian Building (萬年商業大樓) has several floors of anime figures, toys, games, and hobby shops.
Other options include the huge Taipei Animate Store, MagFreak, and Ximen Undercity (西門地下市), a new anime-focused underground shopping street connected to Ximen MRT station.
Even if you aren’t a serious collector, these shops are a fun window into this side of Ximending’s youth culture.
General Souvenirs
For general Taiwan souvenirs like magnets, keychains, T-shirts, shopping bags, and other inexpensive gifts, the Ximending Pedestrian Area is one of the best places in the city to find them. There are dozens of souvenir shops along Hanzhong Road and the lanes branching out from it.
The 24-hour Don Don Donki (known as Don Quijote in Japan) is fun for browsing all kinds of quirky Japanese and Taiwanese products.
Lai Hao is a better choice for more stylish Taiwan-themed gifts (note, there’s also a Lai Hao on Yongkang Street, another popular shopping area).
Eslite is also worth checking for stationery, books, design goods, and higher-quality souvenirs – go to this one for general souvenirs and the bookstore or this one for more anime and toys.
For those ubiquitous waving-arm lucky cats, this shop focuses exclusively on them.
Packaged Taiwanese Snacks
Ximending is also an easy place to stock up on edible souvenirs before heading home.
Ruyi Sunny Cake, Kong Kee, Cherry Grandfather, Sugar & Spice, and Sunmerry all have branches in Ximending selling pineapple cakes, sun cakes, nougat, cookies, and other packaged Taiwanese treats.
You’ll also find less famous versions of these in the general souvenir shops, while the huge Prosperity Plaza (south of Ximending, formerly called Carrefour) carries a few famous brands like Chiate pineapple cakes at supermarket prices.
See my guide to the best packaged snacks to learn more about these items and other places to find them in Taipei.
Clothing and Accessories
Fashion has always been a major part of Ximending, but I find this is one category where it’s better to wander than to seek out specific shops.
International and Taiwanese chains such as H&M, NET, and GU occupy some of the larger storefronts, while smaller shops throughout the pedestrian area sell streetwear, shoes, accessories, and Japanese- and Korean-inspired fashions.
For more alternative styles, poke around the smaller lanes, America Street, and the streets around the Red House LGBTQ+ area, where you’ll also find punk, cosplay, and other alternative clothing and accessories.
Cosmetics
Ximending is one of the easiest places in Taipei to shop for cosmetics and skincare, especially Taiwanese, Japanese, and Korean products.
You can find cheaper cosmetics at POYA (which also carries stationery and general household items). The pharmacy and cosmetics chains Watsons and Cosmed also have branches in Ximending.
For dedicated retail shops, try Innisfree and Lush. Jpmed has Japanese cosmetics and two upper floors of cute and old-timey selfie stations for kids or adults.
Don Don Donki is another fun place to browse Japanese cosmetics, skincare, and beauty products alongside its seemingly endless assortment of everything else.
What to Eat in Ximending
Ximending is one of the best dining districts in Taipei. You can find everything from great street food and beef noodles to iconic bubble tea and quirky bars.
Famous Street Foods
For quick visitors, I recommend trying at least one or two of Ximending’s famous street food vendors.
Ay Chung Flour Rice Noodles is one of the most iconic street food vendors in Taipei, where you’ll see crowds of people standing around the lane slurping their noodles.
There’s always a long line for Crispy Milk Donuts, but I personally thought they were worth the wait.
The green onion cake vendors are ubiquitous, but if you see them running away with their little stalls, it’s because they are unlicensed and the police have shown up.
Beef Noodles and Other Restaurants
For some of the best beef noodles in Taipei, head to Lao Shan Dong at B1 of Wan Nian Building.
Tourists flock to Yong He Soy Milk for breakfast, but in my opinion it’s one of the worst in the city. See my guide to breakfast shops in Ximending for better options.
For a silly meal, Modern Toilet serves toilet and poo-themed dishes – read about our visit.
Cafes & Desserts
Tourists love lining up for a bubble tea at Xing Fu Tang, while Starbucks Hanzhong is one of the coolest Starbucks locations in Taiwan.
For crazy ice cream flavors, go to Snow King, which is across the street from historic Zhongshan Hall and a square with skateboarders.
You’ll also see several shops in Ximending selling mango shaved ice and other desserts.
Beer & Cocktails
Taihu’s Driftwood location is one of the best craft beer bars in Taipei, while Ximen Beer Bar has a social, pub-like atmosphere.
For cheap drinks and long conversations, take your pick from the many bar patios at Red House LGBTQ+ Square.
Hankou 60 is a flashy, cinema-themed speakeasy on Cinema Street, while Geography Bar does cocktails with ingredients from around Taiwan. Read about my other favorite cocktail bars in Taipei.
You can drink in a small tree house in the capybara-themed More Beer Bar.
