Taipei/Zhongzheng

Zhongzheng houses political offices and governmental ministries. Gongguan is home to the National Taiwan University and National Taiwan Normal University, also colloquially known as Taida and Shida respectively, which may perhaps produce the next generation of leaders.

The Green Line runs through the southern end of Zhongzheng from Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall to Gongguan and beyond, till Jingmei. The Red and Blue Lines serve the northern parts of the district, with a major interchange at Taipei Main, which also has connections to the Taipei TRA and HSR railway stations.

Museums and buildings

• National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial HallThe memorial hall is a famous but controversial symbol of both Taipei and the Republic of China, as expected of its namesake. It is here that the nation's flag is raised every morning, and the huge courtyard serves as a place for both national celebrations as well as a platform to voice one's disapproval of the government. The memorial consists of a large bronze statue of Chiang Kai-shek, watched over by two motionless honor guards who are replaced every hour in a rifle twirling ceremony. Downstairs, there is a museum of Chiang's life, complete with his cars and uniforms. Even if you are not into memorials, the gardens, with their Chinese-style ponds, are definitely worth a visit. The grounds of the memorial are also a favorite place for locals to gather and practice martial arts, though you'll have to be there early if you want to see this. Most people begin their work-out at around sunrise, and will have left for the office before 08:00.

• National Museum Of History

  phone: +886 2 2361 0270
  address: 49 Nanhai Rd
  This museum is in Taipei Botanical Garden, and is famous for its varied selection of exhibits, including Tang dynasty tri-color pottery and Shang dynasty bronzes.

• National Taiwan Museum

  phone: +886 2 2382 2699
  address: 2 Xiangyang Rd
  This museum is in 'Peace Park' (near Taipei Main Station) in a splendid Baroque and Renaissance style building. Opened in 1899, it was Taiwan's first museum and focuses on anthropology and the fauna and flora of the island.

• 228 Memorial Museum

• National Taiwan UniversityTaiwan's pre-eminent institution of higher education. The campus grounds are surrounded by several blocks of shops, bookshops, cafes and tea houses popular with students and scholars. Browse through the stalls and booths directly across the street from the main entrance of the university (don't forget there is a lot more just behind the main street), grab a bite or two of the popular snacks, such as fresh fruit, spice-cooked meats, soy goodies, sky-high ice cream cones, sweets, shaved ice, tapioca teas or fresh bread. You can also sample the yummy Taiwanese fried chicken chain Ding Gua Gua. Try a "Gua Gua Bao," a flavorful sticky rice pouch. There are many American fast food restaurants across the street on the right of the University, right next to several wonderful bookshops.

• Presidential Office Building

  address: 122 Chongqing South Road, Zhongzheng District
  It was built during the Japanese colonial period as the residence of the Governor-General of Taiwan. It is now the official residence of the President of the Republic of China. Public access is generally restricted to specific open house days which are published on the web-site.

Parks

• 228 Peace Memorial ParkThis park is on the north side of Katagalan Boulevard and the MRT station 'National Taiwan University Hospital' on the Danshui line. The park was founded by the Japanese in 1907 as New Park (新公園). The name was changed in 1996 to commemorate those killed in the 228 Incident of 28 February 1947. The park is popular with practitioners of taichi and senior citizens playing Chinese chess. The National Taiwan Museum marks the northern entrance to the park.

• Taipei Botanical GardenThis beautiful garden has inspired the citizens of Taipei for over one hundred years. The lotus ponds are a hallmark of the park and are especially captivating when the these symbols of peace are in full bloom and swaying in the summer breeze. The gardens are close to the National Museum of History.

Creative spaces

• Hua Shan Cultural and Creative Industry Center

  address: 1 Bade Rd, Sec 1
  This former brewery has been transformed into a creative space in a park. The exhibitions are well presented and imaginative and the theater performances, while less formal than those at the National Theater, are first rate. The center also has a number of cool cafes - some with with outdoor seating - an art movie theater and a number of shops selling innovative crafts.

• Taipei Artist Village

  phone: +886 2 3393-7377
  address: No. 7 Beiping E. Rd.
  This village provides residency programs for Taiwanese artists and others from around the world. They provide gallery and studio space for artists. They also have a few cafes which are excellent for a mid-day break while exploring Taipei.

• Treasure Hill Artist Village

  phone: +886 2 2364-5313
  address: No. 2, Alley 14, Ln. 230 Dingzhou Rd. Sec. 3
  Another artist village.

• Zhongshan HallThe buildings were completed in the period of Japanese rule on December 26, 1936. In 1945, The former Taipei City Hall was renamed as Zhongshan Hall. In 1992, the building has been identified to Second monuments of the country. Later it was assigned as a cultural space that hosts cultural and art events.

• National Theater Hall and National Concert HallLocated in the grounds of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial, it is an are excellent place to see performances of a Taiwanese play or a dance troupe. They also host many international events. Taiwan's National Symphony Orchestra performs at the National Concert Hall. The building's neo-classic Chinese architecture is especially stunning when flood-lit at night.

• Taipei Water Park(自來水園區) 1 Shiyuan Street is in Gongguan area and was opened in 2007. The park is built around the Museum of Drinking Water. Many facilities are all about water. The most popular are water slides and swimming spas. But the facilities are open only in summer (entry included with the museum ticket)

• Museum of Drinking Water

  phone: +886 2 2361 0270
  address: 49 Nanhai Rd
  The Museum of Drinking Water was completed in 1908, and is the first pumping station and filtration plant in Taipei. The museum is in the Taipei Water Park.

• Fjällräven Store

  phone: + 2 2365 7311
  address: No 6, Lane 94, Section 3, Xinsheng South Road, Gongguan.
  Excellent selection of durable and stylish outdoor gear.

• Guanghua Digital Mall

  address: No 8, Civic Boulevard Sec 3,
  A six-storey mall specializing in computers and other electronic devices. The facility also comprises an exhibition pace to show case new products and a food court.
• Mountain Hard Wear, 7 Ln 284, Roosevelt Rd, sec. 3, Gongguan (nearest MRT - Gongguan) Tel:+886 2 2365-1501, plus a few stores within a few doors of each other are professional trekking and backpacking stores offering a wide range of high quality equipment. These stores are just north of the junction with Zhongxiao West Rd on Zhongshan North Rd, sec 1 (west side of the road).

• Rockland

  phone: + 2 2369 1961
  address: No. 5, Lane 94, Section 3, Xinsheng South Road, Gongguan
  An excellent selection of outdoor gear, including trekking shoes, backpacks, and many accessories. Helpful service.

• Taipei Zhongshan Metro Shopping MallA long underground shopping area that houses several stores selling all manner of items, not necessarily limited to electronics. A few stores in the Easy Mall carry current and vintage video games, hardware and software.

• Taiwan Handicraft Mart

  phone: +2 2393 3655
  address: 1 Xuzhou Rd
  A wide selection of traditional handicrafts.

Budget

• Happy Farm Vegetarian Restaurant

  phone: +886 2 23678438
  address: 2F, No 16, Lane 683, Roosevelt Road, Sec 3, Gongguang
  Offers simple and tasty Chinese buffet style vegetarian meals.

• Su De Su Shi

  phone: +8862 2363 5689
  address: No 21, Lane 283, Roosevelt Road, Sec 3, Gongguan
  A buffet style restaurant offering a wide range of Chinese vegetarian dishes.

• Thai Guo Xiao Guan

  phone: +886 2 2367-0739
  address: 219 Tingzhou Rd Sec. 3
  This small Thai restaurant is in Gongguan.

• Three Idiots Toast and Curry

  address: No 28, Lane 263, Roosevelt Road, Sec 3, Gongguan.
  Indian chefs offering interesting fusion dishes

Mid-range

• Mary Jane's Pizza

  phone: +886 2 2369-5333
  address: 89 Wenzhou St
  No. Taipei (near Taida). Great thin crust pizza at reasonable prices, they also do delivery.

• Sababa Pita Bar

  phone: +886 2 2363 8009
  address: No 17, Lane 283, Roosevelt Road, Sec 3, Gongguan.
  Specializes in Israeli and Middle Eastern food.

Coffee

As a student area, Gongguan is home to a host of distinctive cafes.

• Aura Cafe

  phone: + 2 8369 3577
  address: No9, Lane 269, Roosevelt Road, Sec 3, Gongguan.
  A chic and stylish cafe. Excellent coffee, including drip. Friendly and helpful service.

• Coffee Lab

  address: No. 6, Lane 64, Section 2, Zhōngxiào East Road
  This small coffee shop roasts their own beans on site. 3 resident cats keep patrons company as they sip carefully crafted lattes.

• Imperfect Cafe

  phone: +886 2 2362 6663
  address: 2F, 95-6 Xinsheng South Road, sec 3, Gongguang
  A very contemporary cafe, with rough concrete walls, wooden tables and industrial lights. Ample facilities for laptop connections provided. Serves good quality coffee, a variety of teas, and light meals.

• Trilobite Cafe

  address: No. 64-2, Section 2, Jìnán Road,
  Serves excellent coffees offering a wide selection of espresso. The two resident dogs are very friendly too.

Alcohol

• Taipei Brewery

  address: 85 Bade Rd Sec. 2
  A godsend for the thirsty budget traveler in a city of pricey bars, this is most certainly the cheapest bar in town. This is a great place to find the rare Taiwan Draft Beer, which has a 2-week expiration and usually can only be found in a few restaurants and stores in the same city as the brewery. It's attached to the brewery where Taiwan Beer is made, close to the intersection of Bade and Jianguo Roads. The restaurant is located in an inconspicuous warehouse deep inside the brewery entrance. What it lacks in ambiance it more than makes up for in value. The draft beer 500 ml is NT$60, but you might want to opt for a bottled 600 ml malt beer for NT$55. Interior and exterior seating are available.

• The Wall Live House

  phone: +886 2930-0162
  address: 200 Roosevelt Road B1, Sec 4
  The biggest venue for independent live music - Taiwanese bands playing everything from rock to reggae.

• Revolver

  phone: +886 2 3393 1678
  address: No. 1-2, Section 1, Roosevelt Rd
  Just across the road from the monument to Chiang Kai Shek, this is a bar on the ground floor and a live music venue on the second floor. The indoors part is often full and partrons will stand outside chatting. This bar also has Taiwan Beer Gold Label on tap.

Budget

• Eight Elephants & Dreaming Dragon

  phone: +886 2 2368 0301
  address: JinJiang Street, Lane 48, Alley 4, No. 6, 1F
  Rated best hostel in Taiwan for 2010 by HostelWorld.com. A very clean and stylish hostel. Helpful info for travelers and job-seekers.

• Camels' Oasis Hostel

  phone: +886233936749
  address: 2F.-1, No.78, Ningbo W. St., Taipei city
  Cheap but decent, clean hostel in a good location, only 5 mins walk from MRT C.K.S. memorial hall station.

• Taipei Hostel

  phone: +886 2 2395-2950, +886 2 2395-2951
  address: 6F, No. 11, Lane 5, Linsen N. Rd
  Well-known for its numerous facilities, helpful staff, and excellent rates. Ideal location near the MRT station and several restaurants..

• World Scholar House

  phone: +886 2 2371-0005
  address: 10-4, Guangzhou Street
  A clean hostel. Dorm and private rooms available, with the rates running NT$350-NT$500.

• Taipei Key Mall Traveler Hostel

  phone: +886 2 2331-7272
  address: 15F-2, 50 Zhongxiao W. Rd. Sec. 1
  This hostel is opposite the Taipei Main Station on the 15th floor of the building where the K-Mall is located, next to the tall Mitsukoshi building.

• See You Hotel

  phone: +886 2 2388-7269
  address: 18 Chongqing South Road, sec 1
  Modern, clean and well appointed, with features such as flat screen tvs and air conditioning in rooms, as well as spacious bathrooms. Staff are very friendly.

• New Mayflower Hotel

  phone: +886 2 2311-0212
  address: 1 Chongqing South Rd, Sec. 1
  Large and comfortable rooms and with modern amenities.

• Guest House Taiwanmex

  phone: +886-2-2550-1938
  address: No 18-1 Lane 18 Nanjing West Road.
  Air-con 2-bed dorms, single and double rooms. Free Wi-Fi, free laundry.

Mid-range

• Cosmos Hotel

  phone: +886 2 2361-7856
  address: 43 Zhongxiao West Road, sec. 1
  In front of Taipei Main Station. The dated decor brings down the tone in this otherwise comfortable hotel. Service standard in the hotel was good with staff being responsive but not very knowledgeable.

• Hotel Flowers

  phone: +886 2 2312-3811
  address: 19 Hankou St
  Decent value for money, take note that the rooms are extremely small.

• YMCA

  phone: +886 2 2311-3201
  address: 19 Xuchang St
  English speaking staff is friendly. Has in house restaurant. Rooms on the street side have a balcony.

Splurge

• Caesar Park Taipei

  phone: +886 2 2311-5151
  address: 38 Zhongxiao West Rd, Sec. 1
  Walking distance to the Presidential Palace, the hotels location is its biggest drawcard. Rooms are rather soul less and the breakfast buffet is standard, though edible.

• Sheraton Grande Taipei Hotel

  phone: +886 2 2321-5511
  address: 12 Zhongxiao East Rd, Sec. 1
  An older hotel in an area isolated from shops and other amenities. However, it offers a high overall standard in the rooms and the service.