The Outlet Battle Begins: A Look at Three Upcoming Outlet Malls in Taiwan

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Starting December 2015, Taiwan will dive into an Outlet battle royale. One outlet mall after another will open across the island, each with its own unique features and buzz. Here’s a rundown of three upcoming outlet malls in Taiwan—not only featuring brands that will be making their Taiwan Outlet debut but also including Asia’s second-largest Ferris wheel, which will be making its home in Taiwan.

1. GLORIA OUTLETS Hwatai Designer Outlet
Hwatai Designer Outlet is Taiwan’s first authentic American-style open-air outlet. The mall is located in Qingpu, Zhongli District, Taoyuan City, adjacent to both the Taoyuan High-Speed Rail Station and the Taoyuan Station of the Airport MRT. Phase one will host 102 brands, 24 of which will be making their Taiwan Outlet debut.

Operators say Hwatai Designer Outlet will be developed in four phases. Phase one will feature 102 brands, with an average discount of up to 35% off. For food, Japan’s super-popular queue-worthy ramen brand “Kinryu Ramen” is making its Taiwan debut. This ramen brand has ranked No. 1 for the longest queues at Japan’s annual “Tokyo Ramen Show” for four consecutive years, and is highly anticipated by ramen lovers.

For transportation, the Airport MRT’s Taoyuan Station—set to open in March 2016—has two exits that lead directly into Hwatai Designer Outlet, allowing visitors to step off and start shopping immediately. Operators also noted that the entire Hwatai Designer Outlet development consists of four phases, with the final phase expected to be completed by the end of 2018.

GLORIA OUTLETS Hwatai Designer Outlet
Address: No. 189, Lane 2, Chunting Li, Qingpu, Zhongli District, Taoyuan City

Japan’s renowned Mitsui Outlet brand expands into Taiwan. Pictured: Mitsui Outlet Hokuriku Oyabe (Photo / Reporter Yu…)

2. Mitsui Linkou Outlet
Japan’s well-known Outlet brand “Mitsui Outlet” is expanding into Taiwan for the first time, with plans to officially open in Linkou on January 27, 2016.

Spanning 20,000 ping (approx. 65,700 sqm), this shopping mall adopts a tropical design concept, aiming to offer visitors a vacation-like experience. In addition, the outlet will house 220 retail brands, and popular Japanese queue-worthy foods will also be joining the lineup, much to the excitement of fans.

3. Lihpao Taichung Outlet
Dubbed Taiwan’s largest international outlet mall, “Lihpao Taichung Outlet” covers approximately 200 hectares and is set to open in the summer of 2016. The outlet mall boasts four Taiwan-firsts: Taiwan’s largest Ferris wheel, Taiwan’s largest international outlet, Taiwan’s largest food street, and Taiwan’s first pet-friendly mall.

Among them, the Ferris wheel “Sky Dream,” set to become the tallest landmark in central Taiwan, comes from Fukuoka, Japan. Once operational, it won’t just be Taiwan’s largest Ferris wheel but also the second-largest in Asia. Visitors will be able to enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the greater Taichung area from 360 meters above ground, making it a new iconic spot in central Taiwan.