Daan

The Daan District is an important residential, commercial and educational neighborhood in Taipei. The National Taiwan University and National Taiwan Normal University are located here. The name of the district translates to `great peace` or `great safety` and is known as the city`s East District. Here visitors will find dining, elite department stores, upscale fashion boutiques and some of the city`s most expensive residential real estate. There are many shopping areas that fill the narrow alleyways and tree-lined boulevards with popular markets such as the Jianguo Holiday Jade Market and the adjoining Jianguo Holiday Flower Market situated close to Daan Park. Taiwan`s premier bookstore Eslite can be found here, a huge 7 story building filled with books, magazines, food courts and clothing stores, open 24 hours.

Daan Forest is considered the lungs of the city and is compared to New York`s Central Park, covering 64 acres of green space in the city featuring an amphitheater, skating rink, walking and cycling paths, along with ponds and pavilions.

Popular Night markets such as Tonghua Night Market and the Shida Night Market can be found in Daan, both are vibrant markets that come alive at night with fresh food and shopping areas. This is a great area for nightlife with some of the city`s most upscale lounge bar and a popular hangout for students with student-orientated bars and plenty of restaurants.

Songshan

The Songshan District is the financial heart of Taipei where many of the city`s banking institutions can be found along Dunhua North Road and Nanjing East Road. The Songshan Airport and the Taipei Arena can be found in this area and the oldest Night Street Market `Raohe` which is one of Taipei`s most famous markets filled with street food and shopping. The neighborhood is situated in the northeastern area of Taipei with the Sishou, Muzhi and Bijia Mountains surrounding the area. The Keelung River runs through the foothills of the mountains and boasts spectacular scenery. This is a popular region for shopping with the Living Mall and Breeze Center along with restaurants and other attractions.

Ximending

The District of Ximending has been a popular entertainment district since the 1930`s where the famous Red House Theater is located. This historic theatre was the city`s main theatre back in the 30`s and 40`s where people went to watch shows and films, it is now the host of live performances and cultural events. Nowadays this is a trendy shopping and entertainment district featuring other attractions including a concert hall, movie theatres, karaoke bars, restaurants, and clothing stores. A very popular neighborhood for younger residents of Taipei and is compared to Japan`s `Harajuku` with many retail items imported from Japan that can be found here on sale. This is a vibrant, bustling and energetic area with quaint cafes, street food stalls, and shops that line the streets.

Xinyi

The Xinyi District is Taipei`s modern financial area and the location of Taipei`s city council and the mayor`s office. The city`s iconic landmark, Taipei 101 Tower stands tall over the district. The World Trade Center and The Taipei Convention Hall are both situated here. The neighborhood is a newly developed cosmopolitan area boasting shopping malls, entertainment venues, and high-end restaurants which make it a very busy and popular destination for tourists. Many of the city`s main tourist attractions can be found here including the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, The Taipei 101 Tower with its three observations desks, restaurants and shopping malls. This is one of Taipei`s major nightlife area`s filled with nightclubs, bars, lounges with some well-known venues including Barcode, Spark, and Myst.

Zhongshan

The Zhongshan neighborhood is the administrative district of Taipei, the area was named after Sun Yat-sen and known in Chinese as `Sun Zhongshan` where the Martyrs Shrine and The Taipei Fine Arts Museum can be found. This beautiful riverside neighborhood features wide tree-lined boulevards offering high-end stores and boutiques such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci. Scenic parks run alongside the river filled with trees and flowers which are perfect areas for a stroll or bicycle ride. Zhongshan North Road is a famous location for several wedding picture studios and wedding dress boutiques. There are several large hotels and plenty of international restaurants featured in the area as well as a large bar and pub scene. Popular attractions such as the Miniatures Museum of Taiwan, Museum of Jade Art and the Lin An Tai Historical House and Museum are located in this district.

Zhongzheng

The Zhongzheng District is the political center of Taiwan where the Presidential Office and other important government buildings are located. The neighborhood is named after Generalissimo and the late President of the Republic of China, Chiang Kai-shek. The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is the main tourist attraction situated here along with the National Museum of History and Taipei Botanical Gardens. Streets and alleyways in this district feature a variety of bazaar`s including photography, cameras, and clothing. Popular Night Street Markets such as the Dongmen, Nanmen and Gongguan Markets can all be found here. This area has a high concentration of bookstores, learning centers and cram schools making it a busy student location. 228 Memorial Park is found here where the writer Pai Hsien-yung came to write stories and the first Taiwan Pride Parade was held.

Datong

The Datong District is one of Taiwan`s oldest areas, it was once the commercial heart of the city and is now mostly known for the popular Dihua Street boasting Japanese colonial style architecture. Located on the eastern shores of the Tamsui River, the southern part of the area was the site of Twatutia, one of the first settlement areas in the city and a port for international trade. Chinese Herbal and dry goods shops are abundant in the area and the popular Dihua Street Market selling lots of food and snacks which is also a vibrant bustling place during the Lunar New Year.

Wanhua

The Wanhua district is the oldest neighborhood in Tapei featuring many historical buildings such as the Longshan Temple and the Red House Theater. This is a popular shopping area with lots of teenage fashion stores and the city`s garment district and plenty of cultural sites. There are three sections to the district the northern, southern and central with 722 neighborhoods and 36 villages with shopping centers and Youth Park. The Snake Alley Night Market is situated close to the Longshan Temple which once sold snake and turtle delicacies but now mostly concentrates on seafood. The area was once Taipei`s red-light district.