Ximending District and Red House Theater, Taipei (must see)

The Ximending District is Taiwan's first pedestrian zone. In addition to being home to a large collection of stores, the district also attracts street vendors. As many as three million shoppers visit this area every month. Some of the larger stores represented in this area include Shizilin Square and Wannien Department Store.

One of the focal points in the Ximending District is the Red House Theater. This building dates back to 1908 when Tapei was under Japanese rule and originally served as a market building. This theater consists of an octagonal building for theatrical performances, along with a cafe and display showcasing the building's history and a cruciform-shaped building that hosts shops.

There is a square in front of the Red House Theater that has served as the location for the Lantern Festival in the past. You might even be lucky to see a celebrity performing an unannounced concert in the square area. The area immediately behind the theater is host to a number of bars that contribute to much of the city's nightlife.