Recommended Nearby Accommodation - Fun Tay Hotel
Fun Tay Hotel is located in the Xinzhuang Special Zone, with numerous and fast transportation options via train, MRT, and bus to downtown Taipei. A brand under the Caesar Group, it’s the second branch in Taiwan, targeting a younger clientele. This Fun Tay Hotel in Banqiao is very new, having opened not long ago, and enjoys high praise online.
Fun Tay Hotel offers a complimentary shuttle service, allowing guests to conveniently travel between hotels under the Caesar Group and the Airport MRT A1 Station—an incredibly thoughtful service. Be sure to book in advance if you wish to use it. The hotel is stylish and modern, and after enjoying the beautiful sights of the Happy Christmas City, you’ll be welcomed back to equally stunning surroundings.
■ Address: No. 139, Section 1, Zhongshan Rd., Banqiao District, New Taipei City 220
■ Transportation: About a 5-minute walk from Banqiao MRT Station.
■ Nearby Attractions: Lin Ben Yuan Garden, Nan Ya Night Market
■ Booking Website Rating: 8.8/10 (Agoda)
Banqiao Fullon Hotel
Banqiao Fullon Hotel is close to Banqiao Fuzhong MRT Station, with both Banqiao Far Eastern Department Store and the New Taipei Happy Christmas City area within walking distance. This conveniently located hotel is also popular among business and leisure travelers for its reasonable prices. The hotel has a total of 111 rooms, some of which even offer views of the bustling night scenery of the Xinzhuang Special Zone. To enjoy the New Taipei Happy Christmas City from a “different” perspective, staying here is definitely your top choice.
■ Address: No. 189, Section 1, Xianmin Blvd., Banqiao District, New Taipei City 220
■ Transportation: A 2-minute walk from Exit 1 of Fuzhong MRT Station
■ Nearby Attractions: Fuzhong Business District, Nan Ya Night Market
■ Booking Website Rating: 8.4/10 (Agoda)
Taoyuan Hwatai Christmas Village GLORIDAY
Hwatai Premium Outlets is already so expansive that you could spend an entire afternoon exploring. Inside, you’ll find a wealth of European and American luxury brands, as well as food, groceries, and sports products. Now, when you shop here, you can also experience a “snowfall” scene. This year, there’s also a Christmas market where you can explore popular stores from around the world—eat, shop, and play. This year, four international-themed zones (USA, France, Italy, and UK) have been designed, with over 350 Christmas trees set up along the way. Visitors can also stroll through various plazas to admire the dazzling Christmas trees under the starry sky. And there’s more.
During the event period, simply wear a Christmas jumper, take a photo with any attraction in the zone, and upload it to your personal Facebook or Instagram to receive a $20 discount voucher for the market. Come and join the fun.
※ Colorful Snow Scene: Beside Avenues 1 to 7 (Snow falls once every hour from 15:00–19:00)
■ Transportation Info: Exit 7 of Taoyuan HSR Station—cross the street to reach the mall (about a 2-minute walk)
■ Address: No. 189, Chunde Rd., Zhongli District, Taoyuan City
■ Event Period: November 22, 2019 – January 1, 2020
■ Christmas Market: Fountain at Plaza 2 (Sun–Thu 10:00–21:00 / Fri–Sat & eve of public holidays 10:00–22:00)
Recommended Reading:2019 Christmas Decorations & Attractions in Taipei’s Xinyi District—Family-Friendly Teddy Bear Theme
Recommended Nearby Accommodation - Taoyuan Taoxi Aviation City Hotel
Taoyuan Taoxi Aviation City Hotel is a premium accommodation choice for business travelers heading to and from Taoyuan Airport. It’s one of the few five-star hotels in Taoyuan City, featuring a soaring lobby and a restaurant with expansive floor-to-ceiling windows—one of many breathtaking features.
The hotel’s facilities are equally impressive, living up to its five-star status. With a year-round indoor pool and spa pool, plus minimalist yet warm interior design, business trips can feel as cozy as being at home. Make Taoxi Aviation City Hotel your rest stop while exploring Taoyuan’s new urban landscapes.
■ Address: No. 777, Daguan Rd., Dayuan Township, Taoyuan County
■ Transportation: About a 20-minute drive from Taoyuan HSR Station to Taoxi Hotel
■ Nearby Attractions: Taoyuan Airport, Huatai Luxury Outlet Mall
■ Booking Website Rating: 7.7/10 (Agoda)
Tainan Light & Shadow Christmas Winter Festival at Ximen
Remember last year’s Dream Christmas Village? This year, Tainan—the ancient cultural capital—has also launched a Christmas Town at Ximen Square. This year goes beyond previous editions, evolving the Christmas tree into an 11-meter-tall “Light Sculpture Christmas Tree,” offering a completely different festive vibe during the day and night. There are also many character displays and installation artworks perfect for photos. Bring your loved ones or family for a stroll—and enjoy discounts for photo check-ins too!
■ Address: No. 658, Section 1, Ximen Rd., West Central District, Tainan City
■ Lighting Location: Ximen Square, Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Tainan Xin Tian Di
■ Event Period: November 7, 2019 – January 5, 2020
Recommended Reading:This is True Love for Sure: 10 Signs a Man Truly Loves You—How Many Does Yours Hit?
Chimei Museum - HOHOHO Christmas Weekend
To celebrate the upcoming Christmas, the Chimei Museum will host a Christmas Weekend event in its park. Not only can you explore the museum’s treasures, but there will also be a Christmas market and party in the park. The “Christmas Weekend – Masquerade Ball” is open to all age groups, and the museum has even extended its opening hours until 9:30 PM, allowing visitors to enjoy fun from morning till night.
This time, the Chimei Museum has also created a Happy Christmas Tree, decorated with traditional gold, silver, and red ornaments, paired with snowflakes and a green tree body, complementing the museum’s Western-style architecture to create a European Christmas atmosphere. In addition, the event will feature 19th-century royalty and Santa Claus appearing together to celebrate the festive season with the public.
※ Editor’s Note: Admission tickets are required for entry during this event period.
■ Event Dates: December 14 (Sat), December 15 (Sun), December 21 (Sat), December 22 (Sun) 9:30–22:00
■ Event Locations: Outdoor Park Area and Indoor Exhibition Halls
■ Ticket Prices & Info: Pre-sale tickets at NT$290 (available at ibon); details can be found on the official website
On-site tickets at NT$380 (sold at the Chimei Museum ticket office on the event day)
Children under 12 with valid ID can enter for free
Recommended Nearby Accommodation – Tainan Fullon Hotel
Famous attractions in Tainan include Chihkan Tower, Confucius Temple, Grand Matsu Temple, Tainan Literature Museum, and the newly reopened Lintian Department Store. Fullon Hotel is close to all of them. Its excellent location and reasonable prices make it popular among Japanese tourists visiting Tainan.
The photo shows a Deluxe Room at Fullon Hotel, featuring a purple carpeted floor and a spacious, uncluttered layout. You can also find super value pricing—at just over NT$2,500. Free bicycle rental is available during your stay, so start your ancient city adventure right here.
■ Address: No. 28, Section 2, Zhongyi Rd., West Central District, Tainan City
■ Transportation: About a 10-minute ride from Tainan Railway Station via the hotel shuttle bus
■ Nearby Attractions: Lintian Department Store, Yongle Market
■ Booking Website Rating: 8.7/10 (Agoda)
Kaohsiung Uni-President Hankyu Department Store “Love•Sharing 2019”
At Kaohsiung’s busiest Dream Mall, this year’s Christmas extravaganza is hosted by Uni-President Department Store with a grand Christmas feast. Uni-President Group’s annual “Love•Sharing” Christmas event takes on a Las Vegas theme this year, bringing the magic and wonder of Las Vegas to Taiwan.
The Christmas tree this year is again the Purple Wish, using the most iconic entertainment elements of Las Vegas as its design concept. Bold color schemes and lighting technology combine to give visitors an immersive experience. This year also introduces the Dream Lucky Star Raffle Event. From now until December 24, visit the service hut between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM for a chance to win prizes, including a grand prize of NT$10,000 in cashback.
■ Event Dates: November 15, 2019 – January 3, 2020
■ Purple Wish Christmas Tree Lighting Time: November 15 (Fri) at 18:30
■ Purple Wish Light & Sound Show: From November 15, 2019 to January 3, 2020, every day from 18:00 to 21:00, the lights transition through different colors every 10 minutes in a gradual gradient
■ Transportation: Take the Light Rail C3 Qianzhen Star → C5 Dream Mall from the middle of the road at Exit 1 of Kaixuan MRT Station
Walk straight for about 10 minutes from Exit 3 of Kaixuan MRT Station
Recommended nearby accommodation – Kaohsiung Hotel Wo
WO HOTEL is located on Qixian Road in Kaohsiung City, within a 5–20 minute drive from all major attractions in Kaohsiung, making it an ideal choice for driving around the city. With the Chinese character “wo (nest)” as its concept, it is fully dedicated to becoming a cozy nest for travelers.The hotel features a stylish fusion design, displaying works by many internationally renowned artists, such as Takashi Murakami’s classic prints.
The rooms at Kaohsiung Hotel Wo utilize the concept of mirrored space separation to enhance the sense of space, while also exuding a calm and fashionable atmosphere. The bathroom is equipped with a bathtub, so you can finally enjoy a relaxing soak after escaping from your busy work life.
■ Address: No. 394, Qixian 2nd Road, Qianjin District, Kaohsiung City
■ Transportation: Get off at Jhongshan Council Station on the Orange Line of Kaohsiung MRT, exit via Exit 1, walk north along Ziqiang Road, turn left onto Qixian 2nd Road, and continue straight to reach the destination in about 15 minutes
■ Nearby Attractions: Love River, Liouhe Night Market
■ Booking Website Rating: 8.1/10 (agoda)
Taichung Ching Mei Tiandi Christmas Village
Taichung locals don’t need to go anywhere else for the holidays. The Christmas event at Eslite Chingmei Greenery Boulevard is exquisite, high-quality, and full of a 100% romantic vibe. This year, it even ties in with the election craze by introducing two Christmas Village Chief candidates, each with the campaign platforms of "Play with New Ideas" and "Deliver Heartfelt Wishes," creating completely different Christmas village themes. In addition to numerous totem-style Instagrammable Christmas trees, there is also a dazzling light and sound Christmas tree that fills Taichung with a strong festive atmosphere.
■ Transportation Info: Taichung Bus 27 to Jinguo Park Road Station, Ubus 81 to Jinguo Park Road Station; Buses 300–308 to National Museum of Natural Science Station, a 5-minute walk will get you there
■ Address: No. 68, Gongyi Road, West District, Taichung City
■ Event Period: November 22, 2019 – December 26, 2019
Recommended nearby accommodation – Taichung Park Holiday Inn Express
The international hotel brand Holiday Inn Express has chosen an excellent location in Taichung right next to Taichung Railway Station and Yizhong Night Market. From the upper floors, you can also enjoy the night view of downtown Taichung. Since its opening in 2008, the building’s overall structure and interior decor remain refreshingly modern, with a vibrant and colorful design that is truly eye-catching.
The rooms themselves follow a minimalist yet warm style, allowing guests to relax and enjoy their holiday in such a comfortable space. Being close to the famous Yizhong Night Market, you can find tranquility even in the bustling area — right next door is the historic Taichung Park, where you can take a stroll around the Lake Heart Pavilion with your family.
■ Address: No. 94, Section 2, Free Road, Central District, Taichung City
■ Transportation: A 10-minute walk from Taichung Railway Station
■ Nearby Attractions: Taichung Park, Taichung Second Market
■ Booking Website Rating: 8.3/10 (agoda)
I’ve always envied Japan and Europe/the US for having such elaborately decorated and atmospheric Christmases. Though Taiwan, like Japan, doesn’t have deep historical ties to Christmas, we’ve gradually been able to see dazzling light art and illuminations. It’s such a blessing to be able to experience Christmas lights without flying abroad.
[FunTime Travel Recommendation] Authorized Repost | Original Source: [2019 Taiwan Christmas Events – Say Your Vows Under the Christmas Tree. Make a Wish with the Christmas Tree!]
Executive Editor: Hovis
Copy Editor: Reese