Ximending Market is one of our all time favourites in Taipei. Close to the gay epicentre, it offers an eclectic mix of trendy cafes, fashion boutiques and more. Oh and lots of eye candy!
Although quite touristy, we highly recommend the Shilin night market. Go early and avoid the weekends if crowds are not your thing. Otherwise relax and embrace the ambiance.
Taipei has various different districts dedicated to specific merchandise, so don’t be surprise when people refer to the garment district or the electronics market. This is how they do things in Taipei. There are thousands of shops to choose from and more than 10 different night markets and scores of shopping districts. Here are a list of our favourites.
Ximending Shopping District
Modern, stylish and young: that is probably the best way to describe this sprawling giant of a night market. Known for having the newest fashion trends and a lot of young people, XiMenDing is one of the most popular and active night markets in Taipei. Not only is there an endless range of shops at XiMen, but it is also filled with a lot of historical and cultural sites that date back to the Japanese occupation. From clothes, to coffee, to gay bars, to theaters, to live music, to much much more, XiMenDing has got it all.
Shilin Night Market
Taipei is as modern a city as any in Asia, but traditional night markets still thrive in many neighborhoods. If you want to experience a true night market, we recommend, Shilin Night Market, considered to be the largest and most famous night market in the city. Shilin resembles a beach-side boardwalk without the sea; packed full of locals and tourists, fun-fair games, knickknack stores selling everything from chopsticks to DVD’s and Taiwanese snack food. Called xiao chi’s, or small eats, these include fried chicken and oyster omelets. Here diners eat at a crowded counter in the night market in the Shilin neighborhood.
The Xinyi Shopping district is where to shop and be seen in Taipei. Home to some of the finest designer fashion houses, hip hotels and chic restaurants; this is the district that loves your credit card!
Body Formula offer a range of clothing for gay guys who want to look their best. They sponsor many of the circuit parties and gay events in Taipei.
The Xinyi District is the newest trend-setting commercial district in Taipei, embracing dozens of fashionable malls, restaurants, and hotels on Sections 4 and 5 of Xinyi Road. Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Department Store’s New Life Square and A4 branches, Novel Hall for Performing Arts, VieShow Cinemas, Grand Hyatt Taipei Hotel, and
Taipei 101 are just a few of the many places where you can satisfy your consumer cravings in this area. By day, the Xinyi District bustles with the fast-paced energy of business as Taipei’s commercial and financial center. At night, the skyscrapers come alight with eye-catching displays of LED lights, setting the mood for evening fun.
On weekends, the Xinyi District transforms again as outdoor stages and squares come alive with concerts, dance performances, record release events, and celebrity appearances, making this the place where you can experience the youthful energy of Taipei.
Otoko, located in the Red House district is the exclusive retailer from many of Asia’s most famous swimwear brands.
Tough Factory has clothing aimed at guys who look good and want to get noticed! Friendly and welcoming offering a range of unique t-shirts and more.
Gay Shopping in Tiapei
Taipei has a very sophisticated gay scene and its shopping scene reflects this sophistication. Local men want to look their very best, spend time on their appearance and are aware of global trends, often setting new ones as they work to have the latest look and the hottest body. The following shops cater for the gay man in Taipei and are well worth a visit.
Body Formula
Body Formula, a chain of boutiques in Taipei was founded in 2004 and offers a range of swimwear and underwear for men together with a range or t-shirts and other items featuring international brands. They have two stores in Taipei, one at the Red House (183-1, Xining South Road) and the other at No 14. Lane 205 , ZhungXiao East Road Section 4).
OTOKO Mens Boutique
Otoko is another gay store located in the Red House. The store specialises in selling a range of international clothing including tanks, tees, undergear and swimwear brands. Europeans may be unfamiliar with some of the brands but they include well known designer labels from Asia including Singapore’s New Urban Male and the famous Hong Kong DAIGO range.
Tough Factory
Tough Factory is a favorite of muscle boys and gym bunnies. The boutique offers a range of sexy Bear Clothing as well as a wide range of fitness supplements and comes complete with a tanning salon. Everything you need to look good the next time you hit the sauna or dance floor!. Take the MRT to Ximen Station Exit 6. The stores motto? – “made for gay customers, sold by gay staff who are proud to be gay”
’0416X1024
Finally, no shopping trip in Taipei could be complete without a visit to ’0416X1024. This T-shirt brand’s quirky pen-and-ink illustrated designs and playfully wacky sense of humor have earned it a cult following. Their trademark is a zany mixture of puns and the occasional swear word. T-shirts, stationery and accessories are printed with designer Liao Chen-hung’s pen-and-ink illustrations, which feature characters with gas bubbles emerging from their behinds or whispering “fuck” while hidden behind a row of polka dots.
All of the gay bars and clubs in Taipei are centred around Ximen’s Red House District. Here are our top hotel recommendations.
The Tango Hotel Taipei Nanshi is a 10-minute walk from Taipei Main Station & the popular Ximending shopping area. Modern air-conditioned accommodation
This 4 star hotel offers air conditioned rooms with a flat screen TV and a DVD player, safe and a fridge. The bathrooms have a spa bathtub. Located in the gay area.
Just a 2-minute walk from MRT Ximen Station & Ximending shopping district, Just Sleep – Ximending provides guests with warm services & cosy rooms. Free WiFi
Rooms at the 3 star Airline Inn are equipped with a flat screen TV, minibar, personal safe and Private bathrooms. This hotel is next to all the gay bars and night life of Taipei.
<h3>Modern Taipei
3 Bedroom</h3>
This 3 bedroom apartment has a living room with flat screen TV and a fully equipped kitchen with a washer and dryer, a bathroom with shower and free WiFi, Close to all the gay bars and restaurants
<h3>Time square
2 Bedroom</h3>
Featuring air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony 2 bedroom apartment has a living room with flat screen TV and a fully equipped kitchen with a washer and dryer, a bathroom with bath and free WiFi,
<h3>Fang House
2 Bedrooms</h3>
This apartment offers 2 Bedrooms and 2 bathrooms shower, a living room with flat screen TV, a kitchen with cooker, kettle, and refrigerator. A balcony. Free 4G WIFI . Close to all the gay bars and good restaurants
<h3>Ximending
1 Bedroom</h3>
Air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony & patio and city views, the apartment includes 1 bedroom, a living room, cable flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen, and 1 bathroom with a bidet and a shower.
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