When I lived in Taipei, I resided in Zhongzheng-qu, a quiet district located roughly between Dongmen Station and the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. I loved my apartment here, and loved calling the area home, which leads many people to believe it’s my favorite part of Taipei.
If I’m honest, that might be true—it’s often hard for me to separate my emotions from my rational thoughts. Still, I’ve spent a literal decade getting to know Taiwan’s capital, and have grown fond of many parts of the city.
Today, I’ll be talking about the Taipei Wanhua district. Known among most travelers only for tourist attractions like Ximending pedestrian street and Longshan Temple, it is in fact Taipei’s oldest (and, arguably, most authentic) area.
Why I’ve Warmed to Wanhua Over the Years
Known in Chinese as the Taipei Wanhua-qu, Wanhua isn’t a place I originally paid much attention. Well, apart from obvious attractions (such as the aforementioned Ximen-ding and Longshan-si) as well as the Red House, which is the center of Taipei’s increasingly famous LGBTQ+ scene. I pretty much only visited Wanhua when I absolutely had to, which was when I was showing people around, or when I needed a stiff drink.
This all changed a few years ago, when a local friend of mine (who grew up in the area) decided to take me on an impromptu tour after a meal we shared together. Like a cryptocurrency presale that gives you exclusive access to new coins before the rest of the world has a chance to cash in, I got an inside look into Wanhua from someone who knows it on a personal, visceral level. I hope to remain faithful to my friend’s narration over the next few paragraphs.
My Favorite Things to Do in Wanhua-qu
Explore Wanhua’s heritage—Taiwanese and otherwise
I fell in love with the Wanhua neighborhood when I learned its history, so let’s start there. The first thing you need to know is that this is where Taipei became Taipei. If you walk between the area’s gates (namely Beimen gate, Dongmen gate and Xiaonanmen gate), you can get a sense of where the Taipei City Walls were. Beyond this, I recommend visiting Nishi Hongan-ji square, which is a relic of Taiwan’s Japanese heritage.
Stroll under Ximending’s neon
Obviously, you will need to visit Ximending at some point during your time in Wanhua. And as touristic as it is, it’s famous for a reason. From the energetic and youthful crowds, to the picturesque neon signs, there’s a reason it’s known as the Times Square or Shibuya of Taipei. TIP: If you want to get a good view of Ximen in all its glory, walk up onto this balcony at the Red House, just across the street.
(And delight in its food and drink)
Speaking of the Red House, it’s one of the most culturally important parts of Wanhua, being home not only to Taipei’s top gay bars, but also serving as the nucleus of local LGBTQ culture. This is to say nothing of all the food in the Ximending area in general, from street snacks along the main road, to authentic local shops selling Taiwanese classics like beef noodles (for lunch) and fan-tuan rice balls in the morning for breakfast.
Get lost in local streets
Although Wanhua hosts plenty of hotels, I prefer staying in an Airbnb or other apartment if I can. These tend to be deeper into the district, and allow you to get off the tourist trail and see how local people live. Even if you don’t stay here, however, you can access this aspect of the area. Simply walk southward and westward from Ximending, or northward and eastward from Longshan Temple.
Save Longshan Temple for last
Now, you might be wondering why I’m just now mentioning Longshan-si—aside perhaps from Ximending, it’s the top tourist attraction in this part of Taipei. On the other hand, I’ve always found it a bit of a letdown. Not that it isn’t interesting or worth visiting—it was built almost 300 years ago; of course it’s interesting—but because I find that it seems more meaningful once you’ve gotten to know Wanhua just a bit better.
Other Amazing Areas in Taipei
As I mentioned in the intro to this piece, Wanhua is not the first part of Taipei that stole my heart. Here are some other areas of Taipei that are worth exploring:
- Zhongzheng: Whether you rent an apartment like I did, or go as a tourist and eat your way along Yongkang Street (or at the original Din Tai Fung), this remains a lovely part of Taipei to discover.
- Datong: Home to Dadaocheng Wharf (one of Taipei’s best sunset spots) and Dihua Street, Datong-qu makes a great companion to Wanhua.
- Da’an: Unsurprisingly, this area is home to Da’an Forest Park, but it also nestles awesome eateries and shops within its upmarket streets (and within the slightly rough-around-the edges Shida Night Market).
- Shilin: Speaking of night markets, Shilin Night Market is deservedly Taipei’s most famous one. However, you can also use your time in this northern Taipei neighborhood to visit the National Palace Museum.
TIP: Whether or not you end up calling Taipei Wanhua home for a few days, check out my article comparing Taipei and Kaohsiung to get a sense of how Taiwan’s second city stacks up to its first.
Other FAQ About Taipei’s Wanhua District
What is Wanhua district known for?
Among tourists, Taipei’s Wanhua district is known primarily for being home to Ximending pedestrian street and Longshan Temple. Local Taiwanese, however, know is as the oldest part of Taipei, not to mention one of the most authentic areas of the city.
Is Wanhua a good place to stay?
Wanhua is a good place to stay, though I would recommend against staying in one of the larger hotels there. Rather, find yourself an Airbnb slightly off the beaten path in order to fully immerse yourself. I promise, it’s worth a slightly longer walk from Ximen Station!
What is the best district in Taipei?
I love many different districts of Taipei, from the quiet Zhongzheng district, to the historical Wanhua and Datong districts, to Shilin and its night market, to upscale Da’an. I also love Xinyi district, which is home to Taipei 101, and more off-the-beaten-path districts like Songshan and Neihu.
The Bottom Line
The Taipei Wanhua district is the oldest, most authentic part of the city. The good news, for travelers who are keen to explore, is that you’ve almost certainly planned to spend time here already: Wanhua-qu is home not only to the Ximending pedestrian area, but also to Longshan Temple. The better news? You don’t have to wander far off Wanhua’s beaten path to get a sense of its rich heritage, particularly not if you stay overnight in an Airbnb or non-touristic hotel. Need personalized help deciding where to stay in Taipei, and also how Taipei will fit into the bigger picture of your trip plan? Commission a custom Taiwan itinerary today!
