Shopping in Taiwan
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A
Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Department Store
Most older locals remember when this housed a prison and an execution room, not an upscale mall.
reviewed
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B
Shilin Night Market
Considered by many to be the king of Taipei's night markets, the sprawling Shilin Night Market is a nightly carnival of snacking and shopping. Teeming with stalls selling delectable edibles far beyond our ability to describe, the latest in trendy clothing from shoes to hats (and everything in-between), games of skill and chance and much, much more. If you have only one night to spend in Taipei, spend it here.
reviewed
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C
Tainan Kuang Tsai Embroidery Shop
Across from one treasure of Tainan (the Official God of War Temple) is this other treasure, Mr Lin, one of the last remaining embroidery masters in Tainan. Mr Lin has been working at his craft since he was 16 (he's in his late 60s now) and in recent years he and his daughter have taken the craft to a new, modern level. All his pieces have the light touch and expressiveness of a craftsman truly at the peak of his skills.
The most famous and expensive samples of his work are the long Eight Immortals panels, which used to be popular at weddings and other special occasions. Such panels cost tens of thousands of Taiwanese dollars but this doesn't stop buyers from all over the…
reviewed
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D
Guan De Xin Paper Umbrella Shop
If you're looking to buy, this is one of the best places. An umbrella here costs between NT$250 and NT$1200.
reviewed
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Roman
Canadian-born Roman McNamara has found his niche on Art St with this funky little shop selling one-of-a-kind, handmade leather goods. The shop is on the 2nd level at the back of the small square about half way up the street. Since the last edition of this book, Roman has gone from part-time to full-time work, a testimony to the quality of his products.
reviewed
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Holiday Jade Market
The Holiday Jade Market, perhaps the largest market for jade and other semi-precious stones in Asia. The Jade Market is also a great place to buy jewellery, objets d'art both small and large, religious items and everything you might need to set up your own feng-shui practice back home (outside of actual knowledge of Chinese geomancy of course).
reviewed
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E
Chinese Handicraft Mart
There's no shortage of browsing for clothing in the city's night markets, but the highest concentration in one place is at the Chinese Handicraft Mart. You'll find four storeys of clothing, jade, porcelain, ceramics, tea sets, jewellery, scrolls, paintings and prints and that's just a small selection of the variety on offer here.
reviewed
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F
Ten Shang's Tea Company
Hailing from a tea-growing mountain community in central Taiwan's Nantou, Mr and Mrs Chang have been selling organically grown oolong teas from all over Taiwan for a quarter of a century. Visitors are welcome to come in and chat over a pot or two of their exquisite high-mountain tea while shopping for tea and supplies. The Changs' new location is around the corner from their previous one on Nanjing E Rd, Sec 2.
reviewed
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Jimmy's Bike Shop
Taiwan is a major producer and exporter of touring and mountain bikes, which are generally quite cheap. If you can front up to the city's insane traffic, noise and pollution, Jimmy's is the place to get mounted. Jimmy speaks English, and is renowned for his Arnold Schwarzenegger impersonations.
reviewed
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Chienkuo Flower Market
Saturday is the best day to experience the Chienkuo Flower Market. It's relatively quiet, and you can move more comfortably around the stalls of exotic blooms. Even if you're just passing through the city, consider dropping by; a fragrant spray of flowers will improve the pokiest room.
reviewed
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Holiday Flower Market
The Jade Market becomes the Holiday Flower Market, a veritable cornucopia of plants, flowers and incredibly impressive bonsai trees. This market is also a good place to buy tea and tea supplies as well as dried fruits, nuts and some locally grown organic produce.
reviewed
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G
Guanghua Market
This is a cyberpunk's paradise: numerous blocks of stores, alleys and underground malls that are to electronics what a night market is to clothing and foods. It has software, hardware, laptops, peripherals, mobile phones and gadgets of all kinds. Though the area still retains its old-school street-shop flavour, the new four-storey indoor mall on the corner of Civic Blvd and Jinshan Rd is a bit less chaotic than the outdoor shops surrounding it.
reviewed
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Arts & Crafts
Meaning 'echo' in Atayal, Bulowan (Bùluòwān) is a former Atayal mountain village. In the lower village a few aboriginal families sell and display good quality arts & crafts.
reviewed
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H
Nova Computer Arcade
Across from Taipei Main Station, this arcade has about 130 shops and booths dealing in computers, components, digital cameras, mobile phones and just about any electronic peripherals you can imagine.
reviewed
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I
Bamboo Street
At the end of Wufu-4 Rd you'll find wares from the past, including traditional hats, raincoats and household articles made from bamboo.
reviewed
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J
Shuang Chun Chang Shoes
For something traditional, check out the cute mùjī (wood slippers) at this old shop near the Matsu Temple.
reviewed
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K
Jade Market
Bargain hard and, if possible, bring someone along who knows something about jade. Of course it's also fun just to browse.
reviewed
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Grocery Store
There's a small grocery store in town selling instant noodles, canned goods, eggs, fruit and veggies, and drinks.
reviewed
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Ceramic Art
Near the Lakeside Sculpture Park, this small studio is run by well-known ceramicist artist Hong Chi-shuen.
reviewed
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L
Taibei Shanshui
Taibei Shanshui is a popular option for outdoor clothing and gear.
reviewed
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M
Tingshaniou
Tingshaniou is a popular option for outdoor clothing and gear.
reviewed
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Wu Tun-Hou Lantern Shop
Mr Wu has been making lanterns for about 70 years and has collectors from all over the world come to make purchases. These days, however, you're more likely to see his sons (highly skilled themselves) and grandsons at work outside. Lanterns start at a few hundred dollars but the really creative works cost thousands.
reviewed
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Wu Fen Pu
Easily the largest outdoor clothing market in Taipei, Wu Fen Pu encompasses several square blocks of lanes and alleys in eastern Taipei (not far from the Songshan Train Station). Here you'll find everything from the latest fashions to shoes to T-shirts with comically bad Chinglish slogans. Stores here tend to open around noon and stay open until 11pm or so, making it a good place to combine with a visit to the Raohe Street Market just up the road.
reviewed
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N
Warner Village
The centrepiece of this mall is the 18-screen Warner Village cinema. The centre is busy all day (especially so on weekends). The food court is also popular.
reviewed
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O
Wan Neng Tinware
The master here is in fact a fourth-generation tinsmith. His elaborate dragon boats and expressive masks cost thousands but are worth the price for their beauty and craftsmanship.
reviewed