Shopping

The classic 'Made in Taiwan' label is found on millions of products worldwide - and often shopping in Taiwan can feel like a visit to the factory itself! Indeed, shoppers in Taipei can buy just about anything, and often at bargain prices. The most popular shopping areas in Taipei are Ximending, Jhongsiao and Sinyi, and most stores are open daily from 10am to 10pm.

There are bargains galore to be found at the Shihlin Night Market, offering everything from local food to cheap clothes, DVDs and electronics. The Wu-fen-pu wholesale garment market, near the Hou-shan-pai subway station, is also a good stop, while the Chinese Handicraft Mart on Syujhou Road sells inexpensive traditional items. Guanghua Commercial Plaza has themed areas including a computer lane and jade markets.

Best buys in Taipei are jade and Chinese shou-shan stones, which can be bought at markets such as the Taipei Jade Market, held on the weekends in downtown Taipei (beneath the Chienkuo South Road elevated highway). Another great buy is electronic goods - 'computer lane' at Guanghua Commercial Plaza is the perfect place to stock up on some new toys.

The main shopping districts include Simending, Jhongsiao and Sinyi, but one of Taipei's main attractions and the largest night market in the city is the renowned Shilin Night Market in the Shilin District of Taipei, which runs every day from around 4pm to 2am. Just about anything and everything under the sun can be found here along the sprawling blocks of vendors, stalls and eateries. Have dinner in one of the eateries in the new food court before browsing the labyrinth of stalls for some of Taipei's best bargains. The Chinese Handicraft Mart on Syujhou Road is another good place to pick up really cheap buys, bric-a-brac and souvenirs.

There are many underground shopping malls at the metro stations and other trendy centres include the Living Mall on BaDe Road and the Taipei 101 Building mall. The Living Mall is known as the largest shopping mall in Asia, while fashionistas should visit the Taipei 101 Mall where designer names such as Armani and Louis Vuitton line the corridors. One of the best places to buy electronics is Nova Computer Arcade, in the Old Town Centre, with over 130 shops selling the latest computers, cameras and mobile phones at very competitive price.

The annual Ximen Shopping Festival takes place during October and November in Ximending in the Wanhua District, which is locally referred to as the 'Shopping Paradise', seeing over three million shoppers per month, and is a must for all travellers looking for great bargains on electronic goods, toys, magazines, books, CDs and clothing.