Set in a former tobacco factory (or more accurately an industrial village) from the 1930s, Songshan Cultural & Creative Park is part lush gardens, part frog-filled lake, part industrial chic, part workshop and part design studio. The place is dotted with pop-up creative shops, cafes and galleries.
Exploring this lovely park is a magical experience. There’s a serene spot by the lotus pond, replete with weeping willows and an evening frog chorus, where locals often come to sketch. Wander around the long gray corridors of the factory, soaking in the wonderful throwback feel. Some of the rooms are home to creative shops, cafes, galleries and design studios. You can also enjoy the walled gardens, lush with foliage. The adjacent shopping mall has an arthouse cinema, performance hall and a glass-blowing workshop. The entire site is another example of how well Taiwan does shared spaces – the park is fun, accessible and interesting to everyone – whether designers, tourists, children or locals.