Looking for recommended spots to stroll around in Taipei city during weekends or holidays without going too far? The North Gate of Taipei Station and its surrounding historic buildings are perfect choices. After the Taipei City Government launched the “Western District Gateway Project” a few years ago, not only has the North Gate of Taipei, which was once obscured by elevated highways, been restored to its former glory, but other nearby historic sites, including the North Gate Post Office, Futai Street Mansion, Mitsui Warehouse, Railway Department Park, and the Osaka Shosen Kaisha Taipei Branch, have also been renovated. These sites offer a new leisure spot in Taipei city during weekends and holidays. We highly recommend planning a mini trip to these historic sites around Taipei Station.
North Gate of Taipei
The North Gate of Taipei, also known as Cheng’en Gate, is one of the five gates of the ancient city of Taipei and the only one preserved in its original Qing Dynasty style. After the launch of the Western District Gateway Project, the North Gate of Taipei has been restored to its former glory. The newly renovated “North Gate Plaza” is a perfect spot for weekend outings with family, friends, or a romantic date. Being close to the shopping districts of Taipei Station and Ximending, the North Gate of Taipei, a precious national monument, is a must-visit on your next shopping trip!
North Gate of Taipei
Address: No. 120, Section 1, Zhongxiao West Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Admission: Free
The North Gate of Taipei is the most well-preserved gate of the ancient city of Taipei.
The renovated North Gate Plaza is a great place to visit during weekends and holidays in Taipei.
The view of the North Gate of Taipei from Fuzhou Street is a favorite among photographers.
North Gate Post Office
Established in 1929, the North Gate Post Office is the oldest post office in Taiwan. Designed by Japanese architect Junichi Kuriyama, the building is a fusion of Baroque and Greek styles. In 1969, the original arched entrance was demolished to facilitate the entry and exit of postal vehicles, and replaced with a square facade made of marble. In recent years, due to the emphasis on historic preservation, the original arched entrance of the North Gate Post Office has been restored, adding more historical significance to the building.
North Gate Post Office
Address: No. 114, Section 1, Zhongxiao West Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Admission: Free
The renovated North Gate Post Office has restored the original arched entrance.
The windows of the North Gate Post Office exhibit a strong Baroque architectural style.
Futai Street Mansion
Located on Fuzhou Street, now known as Yanping South Road, the Futai Street Mansion, or “Stone House” as the locals call it, was built in 1910 and has a history of over 100 years. The most distinctive feature of the Futai Street Mansion is its construction of mixed wood and stone, along with its resemblance to European Renaissance architecture, making it the most eye-catching building on Yanping South Road. After renovation, the Futai Street Mansion is now open to the public, mainly displaying historical documents.
Futai Street Mansion
Address: No. 26, Yanping South Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 18:00 (Last admission at 17:40, closed on Sundays)
Admission: Free
The Futai Street Mansion on Yanping South Road is hard to miss due to its distinctive exterior.
The main body of the first floor of the Futai Street Mansion is built with cobblestones, with a semi-circular archway as the entrance design.
Taking photos in front of the Futai Street Mansion gives a feeling of being in a European city rather than on the streets of Taipei.
Mitsui Warehouse (Taipei Memory Warehouse)
The Taipei Memory Warehouse, formerly known as the Mitsui Warehouse (Old Mitsui & Co. North Gate Warehouse), is a red-brick building constructed during the Japanese era. It was primarily used to store goods for the Mitsui Group. In 2016, as part of the Western District Gateway Project, the Mitsui Warehouse was relocated 51 meters east and reopened to the public in 2018 as the Taipei Memory Warehouse.
Mitsui Warehouse (Taipei Memory Warehouse)
Address: No. 265, Section 1, Zhongxiao West Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei
Opening Hours: 13:00 – 21:00 (Closed on Mondays)
Admission: Free
The Taipei Memory Warehouse is what we know as the Mitsui Warehouse.
The National Center of Photography and Images (Osaka Shosen)
The National Center of Photography and Images, a new attraction in Taipei that opened in 2021, is a new destination for photography enthusiasts like me to visit on weekends. The predecessor of the National Center of Photography and Images, was the Taipei Branch of Osaka Shosen Kaisha, Ltd., built in 1937. It was designed by the renowned Japanese architect Watanabe Setsu and is one of the last reinforced concrete buildings built before World War II. The first floor of the National Center of Photography and Images, Taipei Branch, is a marketplace combining a cultural and creative market and a coffee shop, while the second and third floors are permanent exhibition spaces for photography. The main body of the exhibition changes periodically, making it a great place to visit on weekends or rainy days in Taipei.
National Center of Photography and Images (NPCI)
Address: No. 70, Section 1, Zhongxiao West Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 18:00 (Closed on Mondays)
Admission: Free
Official Website: National Center of Photography and Images Official Website
The National Center of Photography and Images (Osaka Shosen) is a new destination for photography enthusiasts to visit on weekends.
The National Center of Photography and Images has regular permanent exhibitions and some interactive installations for photography.
Railway Department Park
Located opposite the North Gate of Taipei, the National Taiwan Museum Railway Department Park is an indoor exhibition area that has been reopened to the public after recent renovations in Taipei. The Railway Department Park was the site of the Taipei Machinery Bureau during the Qing Dynasty and Taiwan’s first modern railway repair industrial park. Its exterior is designed in the style of the British Queen Anne Revival, featuring red bricks and white faux stone. Inside the Railway Department Park, there are many railway history exhibits and artifacts, models of Taiwan Railways passenger cars from various periods, and a miniature dynamic model that recreates the underground Taipei Station before it was underground. It’s a must-visit for railway enthusiasts!
National Taiwan Museum Railway Department Park
Address: No. 2, Section 1, Yanping North Road, Datong District, Taipei
Opening Hours: 09:30 – 17:00 (Closed on Mondays)
Admission: Full ticket 100 NTD
Official Website: National Taiwan Museum Official Website
The exterior architecture of the Railway Department Park is very distinctive.
Inside the Railway Department Park , there is a miniature model that recreates the surroundings of the early Taipei Station, which is rich in historical significance.
『Original Source：https://www.phototravel.tw/taipei-station-historic-sites/』
