Zhongshan District

Overview

Zhongshan is Taipei's most fashionable district, where Japanese-era heritage lanes have been reinvented with independent boutiques, specialty coffee shops, and contemporary galleries.

Highlights

• Zhongshan Linear Park: A converted underground railway corridor now lined with indie shops, cafes, and pop-up markets.
• Gallery Row: A concentration of contemporary art galleries, photography studios, and design spaces.
• Japanese Heritage: Tree-lined avenues and preserved Japanese colonial buildings create a refined, walkable atmosphere.

History

Developed during the Japanese colonial period as a prestigious residential area, the district was named after Sun Yat-sen (whose courtesy name was Zhongshan). Recent urban renewal has attracted Taipei's creative class.

Visitor Tips

• Café Culture: Zhongshan has the highest concentration of specialty coffee shops in Taipei.
• Eslite Bookstore: The flagship eslite Dunnan store on Dunhua South Road is a cultural institution.
• Duration: 1.5–2 hours.