Zhongzheng District plus Yongkang Street - Loop Walk

 


Starting from Ximending (Wanhua District), where most visitors stay, this long but rewarding walk loops back to the same spot. It covers all the main attractions of Zhongzheng District, along with the vibrant Yongkang Street area in neighboring Daan District. 

Zhongzheng District is the political, cultural, and historical heart of Taipei, home to some of the city's most significant landmarks. Visitors can see the four remaining city gates of old Taipei, remnants of the Qing Dynasty-era city wall that stand as symbols of the city's past. One of the district’s most famous landmarks is Liberty Square, a vast public plaza surrounded by the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, the National Concert Hall, and the National Theater. 

The Yongkang Street area is a lively and trendy hub filled with cafés, restaurants, and bars, while nearby Daan Park offers a tranquil escape with a small forest, a lake, and local wildlife. For those interested in Taipei’s creative scene, Huashan 1914 Creative Park provides a dynamic mix of art exhibitions, indie music performances, design markets, and stylish cafés, all housed in a repurposed Japanese-era sake brewery. 

The next stop is Taipei Main Station, the city's primary transportation hub. From here, it's a short walk to the 228 Peace Memorial Park, which commemorates the 2/28 Incident of 1947 and is home to the National Taiwan Museum. Nearby stands the Presidential Office Building, an imposing Japanese-era Baroque-style structure that serves as the office of Taiwan’s president. 

Heading north and east, the walk passes through a bustling commercial district filled with a mix of historic and modern buildings, shops, restaurants, and government offices. The route then reaches Taipei North Gate (Cheng-En Gate) before returning to Taipei Zhongshan Hall and Ximending. 

This loop walk spans approximately 15 kilometers, though you can shorten it by skipping certain sections. 

Route Map: 

The walk starts from Ximen station, with the Nishi Honganji Bell Tower and Shuxin Hall (still in Wanhua District) being the first stop. 




The Little South Gate (Chongxi Gate). 





Taipei South Gate (LiZheng Gate) with the Taiwan Tobacco & Liquor Corporation Headquarters behind it. 





Taipei East Gate (JingFu Gate). 






Liberty Square with the National Theater, the National Concert Hall, and the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. 






























Around Dongmen Market. 





The Yongkang Street area. 










Daan Park. 








Random photos of the area between Daan Park and Huashan 1914 Creative Park. 





Even if you don't want to buy any electronics, it's worth passing by Syntrend and Guang Hua Digital Plaza, which is next to Huashan 1914 Creative Park. 








Huashan 1914 Creative Park. 




















Heading towards Taipei Main Station. 



Shandao Temple.




A little detour. 





Jinan Presbyterian Church. 




Taipei Main Station and its surroundings. 







The National Taiwan Museum and the 228 Peace Memorial Park. 














The Presidential Office Building and a distant view of the Taipei 101 building. 







Random photos of the area between the Presidential Office Building and the North Gate. 









Taipei North Gate (ChengEn Gate) - it was under renovation at the time of my visit.




Heading back to Ximending. 





Taipei Zhongshan Hall. (More photos of it in the Ximending post.) 



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