The most beautiful scenery around every city corner！ Top 10 beloved "walls" for photos in 2016 chosen by netizens

▲SWELL CO. CAFE (Photo provided by netizen jenny811112. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Shared through social media with netizens, 2016 made countless hidden gems popular and also unearthed many scenic spots not usually discovered. Following hot check-in spots and viral private attractions, ETtoday EBC News Cloud has compiled a list of the 10 most popular photo walls among netizens in 2016. These beautiful walls are either hidden within concrete skyscrapers or tucked away in stylish accommodations. If you want to keep up with the trend and take aesthetic photos, be sure to add these spots to your must-visit list！

▲The “Life Goes On” LED interactive wall at Nangang CTBC Financial Building. (Photo by reporter Yang Xiao Rou)

1. Taipei CTBC Financial Park Building “Life Goes On” LED Interactive Wall
Located within the CTBC Financial Park Building in Nangang’s Economic and Trade Park, there is a massive 6-story, 360-degree circular indoor LED interactive wall that displays the beauty of the four seasons in an interactive format. Paired with ambient music, many passersby are surprised to discover this unique art installation and find it incredibly fun！

The LED interactive wall in the lobby of CTBC Financial Park Building A, themed “Life Goes On,” is made up of a digital M-shaped wall and floor surface. It presents Taiwan’s characteristic species, zodiac animals, and the beauty of the four seasons including 24 solar terms in an ink-wash painting style. Using real-time computer programming to simulate random changes in nature, it combines lines, colors, patterns, and motion with 3D digital software graphics to create a 360-degree panoramic indoor art installation.

Address: 1F, No. 168, Sec. 2, E-Da Rd., Nangang District, Taipei City
Opening Hours: 10:00–22:00

▲SWELL CO. CAFE (Photo provided by netizen Banbi Travel & Food. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

2. Taipei SWELL CO. CAFE
Located in Da’an District, Taipei, “SWELL CO. CAFE” is inspired by surfing, with the entire café embracing a summer tropical Southeast Asian vibe. Among its features, the large wave wall outside the café is the most eye-catching.

The most special part of the wave wall is its presentation in the “ukiyo-e” (Japanese woodblock print) style. Compared to regular painted murals, it offers a more refreshing visual experience for visitors. Paired with the slogan “Have A Swell Day,” the whole look gives off strong American street-style vibes. Upon closer inspection, you can even find ink-splatter details in the artwork, making it a pilgrimage spot for many.

Address: No. 23, Siwei Rd., Da’an District, Taipei City

▲The Sanxia Museum of Archaeology. (Photo provided by netizen ig blueslyjoel. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

3. New Taipei City Sanxia Museum of Archaeology
The Sanxia Museum of Archaeology has won multiple architectural awards. Its irregular and uniquely shaped exterior, built largely with exposed concrete, gives the entire structure a strong industrial-gray aesthetic. From the moment you step into the park, you’ll find yourself reaching for your camera non-stop. Whether indoors or outdoors, the gray staircases have unexpectedly become popular photo spots among netizens. Recently, the museum has also introduced 3D optical illusion art, making the visit even more enjoyable for guests.

Address: No. 200, Museum Rd., Bali District, New Taipei City

▲Taoyuan’s popular dessert shop, Legs Lab. (Photo provided by Legs Lab)

4. Taoyuan Legs Lab
Specializing in Japanese desserts, ice cream, and sandwiches—and particularly famous for its matcha series—Taoyuan’s popular ice cream shop “Legs Lab” reopened in July after transforming into a brunch spot. The interior is decorated with laboratory-themed elements, but the most attention-grabbing feature is a large wall of pastel-colored conical flasks, which quickly became a popular social media check-in spot.
Address: No. 98, Anqing St., Taoyuan City
Business Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–18:00

▲MatchBox Hostel. (Photo from MatchBox Hostel & Coffee & Bar Facebook page)

5. Taichung MatchBox Hostel
A youth hostel combined with a heritage restaurant, “MatchBox Hostel” has garnered much attention. In addition to its accommodation spaces and delicious meals, the colorful mural on the entrance wall, featuring a cute giraffe stealing beer, is said by netizens to be super healing—and has become the hottest check-in spot here. Inside, there is a large rose petal wall that successfully creates a fairytale princess atmosphere for every visitor.

Address: No. 16, Lane 13, Xinxing Rd., Longjing District, Taichung City

▲1969 Blue Sky Hotel (Photo provided by netizen _04___21_. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

6. Taichung | 1969 Blue Sky Hotel
The “1969 Blue Sky Hotel,” renovated from an old building, is most noted for its nostalgic suitcase wall. Upon reaching the side of the central lobby, you’ll find an installation art piece about two stories high. Upon closer inspection, you’ll see it’s actually stacked with colorful suitcases of various sizes—like a pile-up of travel stories from different travelers—making it the most eye-catching corner in the hotel.

Additionally, the hotel blends classical Broadway elements with futuristic modern touches. From the window frame designs to the 1960s-style telephones in the rooms, shiny special power switches, and uniquely textured irregularly shaped metal-shell armchairs, every detail becomes a scenic highlight. This highly retro accommodation space makes it stand out among the many lodging options in Taichung.

Address: No. 38, Shifu Rd., Taichung City

▲ The exterior wall of the National Taichung Theater is also a popular photo spot. (Photo provided by netizen Qiu Simin; please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement)

7. Taichung | National Taichung Theater
Designed by renowned Japanese architect Toyo Ito, the beamless curved-wall construction technique is recognized by the industry as one of the “world’s most difficult buildings to construct.” Even after completion, Reuters rated it as the “ninth greatest new landmark in the world.” However, even architect Toyo Ito might not have expected that the long outdoor staircase outside the gray-white walls would become the most popular photo backdrop.

Address: No. 101, Section 2, Huilai Rd., West District, Taichung City

▲ CMYK Gallery (Photo credit: CMYK Gallery Facebook fan page)

8. Taichung | CMYK Gallery
Located in Taichung, the “CMYK Gallery” combines food, painting, and curation all in one place, and has recently become an art restaurant that’s gone viral on social media. This restaurant puts art first and food second, but the most eye-catching features are the vibrant paint wall and painting area on the second floor. The wall cabinet displays rows of colorful paint cans, originally intended to separate the dining area from the painting zone. Due to their vivid colors, they’ve become a popular background for photos among visitors.

Location: No. 580, Dehua St., North District, Taichung City
Phone: 04-2201 7999

▲ The stamp wall at Zhongxing New Village in Nantou. (Photo provided by netizen @跟着PJ大侠爱旅行)

9. Nantou | Zhongxing New Village Stamp Wall
Next to the Zhongxing Post Office in Zhongxing New Village, Nantou City, a large lantern wall featuring over 300 stamp patterns was created for the 2014 Taiwan Lantern Festival. After the festival ended, it continued to shine locally, drawing crowds of tourists for photos day and night. It is illuminated between 6 PM and 9 PM, offering a great photo opportunity and becoming a new tourist attraction in Nantou.

Address: No. 4, Zhongxue Rd., Nantou City, Nantou County

▲ The newly painted community art wall (Photo provided by netizen gaga85312; please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

10. Tainan | Xinguang Painting Village
Known for its cultural and creative murals, “Xinguang Village” boasts over 300 painted walls alone. It takes about an hour to explore the entire village. Thanks to the joint efforts of the local development association and residents, the walls have been revitalized with artwork, injecting new life into the area. Visitors can collect a hundred different scenes in just one afternoon, practically using up all their camera film—this village could easily be called the most amazing painting village around.

Address: South Provincial Highway 161-1, Guanmiao District, Tainan City