Borrowing from western urban-regeneration models, this early-20th-century wine factory has been restored as Taipei's most retro-chic venue. Huashan 1914 Creative Park is easy to spot because of its red-brick buildings, gorgeous old trees and giant chimney stacks – it really stands out from the snarl of traffic and dreary modern buildings surrounding it. Huashan began life as a wine factory in 1916 until it was shuttered in 1987. In 2003, the Council for Cultural Affairs began an urban regeneration project, where the warehouses and factories were remodeled into a live-music performance venue; exhibition halls (great fun for children); pop-up shops that sell innovative Taiwanese-designed products; SPOT – Taipei Film House , Taipei's best independent cinema; and several restaurants, cafes and bars – local microbrewery Zhang Men also has a branch here.
Near the old factories round the back, a span of wall with tree roots laced throughout the stonework makes for intriguing photos. The parkland at the rear is a favorite picnic spot for locals, and exiting from here puts you in the best place to walk to the electronics mall of Guanghua Digital Plaza, where you can peruse a labyrinth of electronics, including laptops, mobile phones and gadgets.
Hours for individual shops, restaurants and performance venues vary. There's an information center near the front as you face the grounds off Bade Rd.