《TAIPEI TIMES》 Ximending tops tourism spots in Taipei

By Yang Hsin-Hui and Lery Hiciano / Staff reporter, with staff writer

Taipei’s Ximending （西門町） shopping area welcomed the most international visitors, followed by Taipei 101, Songshan Cultural and Creative Park and Yangmingshan National Park （陽明山國家公園）, a list of the city’s most popular tourist attractions published by the Taipei Department of Information and Tourism showed.

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As of August, 69.22 million people had visited Taipei’s main tourism spots, a 76 percent increase from 39.33 million in the same period last year, department data showed.

Ximending had 20.21 million visitors, followed by Taipei 101 at 8.09 million, Songshan Cultural and Creative Park at 6.28 million, Yangmingshan at 4.51 million and the Red House Theater （西門紅樓） in Ximending at 3.03 million, the data showed.

Ximending ranked first among foreign tourists because of its proximity to transportation hubs such as Taipei Main Station and its abundance of accommodation options, the department said.

The area has a diverse assortment of activities and attractions like movies, live music, tattoo parlors, street performers, anime merchandise and fashion stores, it said.

The second-most popular attraction was Taipei 101, which is especially appealing to visitors from the US, Japan, Europe, and Australia, as well as business travelers, it said.

Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, formerly a tobacco factory, combines historic architecture, modern design, and hosts a wide variety of events and exhibitions throughout the year, it said.

Yangmingshan provides scenic mountain views for those seeking a nature adventure close to the city, especially during the blossom season, the department said.

A survey earlier this year found that 29.27 percent of respondents called Yangmingshan their favorite attraction in Taipei.

The Red House is an important landmark for LGBTQ+ culture in Taipei, as well as one of the city’s best examples of historic architecture, the department said, adding that its surrounding area, also filled with LGBTQ+-friendly cafes, bars and stores, attracts international visitors especially during pride celebrations in late October.

The department said that it would continue its efforts aimed at making Taipei an appealing tourist destination by creating a safe, high-quality travel environment for those hoping to experience the city’s culture and charm.

新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES