If people ask where young people go for fun in Taipei? Ximending is definitely on the top of the list. As the hip hub for youth, or more specifically, college and high school kids, it’s always full of noise, heat, and of course, visitors. Unlike some places on travel books which are for tourists, this place isn’t just popular among foreign visitors but also local residents. It hosts a huge variety of fashion clothing shops, game stores, clubs, bars, and restaurants (e.g., Taipei Eats: Hidden Brunch Club in Ximen). Ximending is also the gay village of Taipei, and the area behind the iconic Red House building is where many gay bars locate. The density of movie theaters in this area is also the highest in Taiwan; over 10 cinemas make this neighborhood a popular destination for movie lovers and a perfect hosting place for film festivals, such as Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival (TGHFF). Sounds pretty fun, right? But well, as usual, the rock star of this series is GRAFFITI! So let’s see if the graffiti in Ximending shares the same hip vibes as the place holds.
Today’s location
Ximending, a neighborhood and a shopping district in Taipei, Taiwan. It’s also the first pedestrian zone in Taiwan.
The story behind the photos
If there’s a list counting the frequency of an area I visited in Taipei, Ximending will definitely be on the top 5. As I said above, it’s a popular hangout place for youth. However, I wasn’t a fan of it in the beginning since I don’t feel comfortable to be squeezed in the crowd, and the hustle-bustle never interests me. But what makes me change? Thanks to a friend of mine, a real hipster (I’m rather a fake one lol), who introduced the film festivals held in this district, the abovementioned TGHFF and Taipei Film Festival to me (she isn’t Taiwanese but she knows so many Taiwanese independent musicians and artists), I got to learn this district more and start falling for it. It’s hard not to! When you visit a hot spot 4-5 times a week and there’re plenty of good food places located, it’s impossible to have no feelings. And these photos were all taken before or after my movie journeys in Ximending.
I would love to take a walk in Ximending. It looks awesome! My favourite graffiti is the Suicide Squad one because I am a fan of the movie and it’s painted really good. Come to think of it, I don’t know if there is a whole area in my city where one can see so much street art in one place. The graffiti are rather spread across the streets and you never know what you will find next as they often change them too.
Thank you for the nice comment! Suicide Squad is one of my favorite comic adapted movies. I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m more a DC fan than Marvel. The designs of the visual, the special effects, and the background music are one of the best in the whole superhero universe, in my opinion, the plays and story editing could be better though. XD
Most graffiti I encountered are spread across the city too. And they’re the best gifts for all the city wanders who discover them. As far as I know, most graffiti gathering places are either back alleys or a themed place dedicated to street art. The one in Ximending is more the latter type.
Wow nice and so much graffiti . I think very instagramable also.
But when I hear about taipei or taiwan I don’t know in my mind only think about country with hit’s famous asia drama Meteor Garden with F4 boy group .LOL
That’s true. Many people take Instagram photos here.
Oh! The drama with Flower 4 lol. That was almost 2 decades ago. Oh my! Time really flies fast. Do you like watching drama? Japanese, Korean, or Chinese ones?
I visited Milan a few years ago. It’s such a beautiful city! Sadly I was there for world expo so didn’t have enough time to know the city better and explore its graffiti culture more. Hope I can revisit it soon!
And these photos were all taken before or after my movie journeys in Ximending.
