By the MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Team
The 2016 Taipei Lantern Festival began on February 20th at Taipei Expo Park’s Yuanshan site, offering a ten-day lantern art extravaganza. The following also outlines two one-day tour routes for the Taipei Lantern Festival. Aside from the currently trending North Gate area, you can also explore Yongkang Street, browse specialty shops, and sample delicious food — making it a perfect trip for families or couples.
Recommended one-day itinerary for two major lantern festivals. (Image source / Taipei City Tourism Bureau)
[Suggested Itinerary 1] North Gate, Futing Street Western-style Building → Pimo Lithography → Yongkang Street Mango Shaved Ice → Yin Hai Guang’s Former Residence → Lunch at Little Tea Cultivation Hall → Lantern viewing at Taipei Expo Park → Dinner at Shilin Night Market
● North Gate, Futing Street Western-style Building
The North Gate, officially named Cheng’en Gate, was the main gate of Taipei Prefecture during the Qing Dynasty. Today, it stands as one of the few remaining Fujian-style fortress gate structures in the world. Nestled amid the bustling streets of Taipei, it strikingly juxtaposes old and new. Aside from Beimen Street (now Bo’ai Road), another road leading to the North Gate is Futing Street (now Yanping South Road), which got its name because the governor’s office was located here. Most Qing Dynasty administrative offices were also situated here. During the Japanese colonial period, the area was planned as Daito-machi, but the name Futing Street was retained. The demolition of the city walls led to commercial development inside the city, driven by the previously outer area of Dadaocheng. As a result, Taipei saw the emergence of Western-style buildings. The Futing Street Western-style Building is one of the few surviving historical structures.
The North Gate (Cheng’en Gate), hidden from view for 39 years, has become a popular attraction since being unveiled. (Photo / MOOK Scenic Spots Family, Zhang Yingying)
During this year’s Lunar New Year, the Taipei City Government undertook the historic project of demolishing the Zhongxiao Bridge from New Year’s Eve to the seventh day of the first lunar month. Once removed, the over 130-year-old North Gate will be fully revealed, becoming a core cultural highlight and restoring the old city’s charm. This complex and challenging demolition combined precision engineering, traffic management plans, protection of a national historic site, and cultural imagery revival. After removal, the section of Zhongxiao West Road from Zhongxiao Bridge to Taipei Main Station will see significant changes in road layout, improving driving conditions and creating a more pedestrian-friendly space. This allows both residents and visitors to leisurely stroll from Taipei Main Station to North Gate Plaza and enjoy the cultural heritage.
On Yanping South Road, right across from the North Gate, stands the Futing Street Western-style Building — definitely worth a visit. (Image source / Taipei City Tourism Bureau)
[Info]
Location of North Gate: Intersection of Zhongxiao West Road, Yanping South Road, and Bo’ai Road, Taipei City
Futing Street Western-style Building
Address: No. 26, Yanping South Road, Taipei City
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10:00–18:00
Contact Number: 02-23148080
● Pimo Lithography
This unique shop in the Yongkang shopping district has been featured on Japan’s NHK travel program, promoting Taiwanese cultural creativity. Aside from selling everyday items with great design, the store also offers many experimental products full of creative ingenuity. Beyond shopping, you can create your own postcards and notebooks — choosing paper, covers, and bindings to craft something truly personal.
Pimo Lithography. (Image source / Taipei City Tourism Bureau)
[Info]
Address: No. 10, Lane 75, Yongkang Street, Da’an District, Taipei City
Business Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
Contact Number: (02) 2396-8366
● Yongkang Street Mango Shaved Ice
No matter the weather, the enthusiasm of visitors flocking to No. 15 Yongkang Street for mango shaved ice never wanes. From the once-childhood-favorite mango shaved ice shop to today’s “Smiles Yongkang Street No. 15,” although the interior may have changed and flavors slightly evolved, the shop’s popularity remains unchanged. Taiwanese cuisine is endlessly creative — such as blending mango into snowflake ice, topping it with an array of fruit, and adding a whole scoop of cheese on top. Not only is it visually delightful, but it also adds a rich, smooth texture that enhances the flavor.
Yongkang Street mango shaved ice. (Image source / Taipei City Tourism Bureau)
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