Yuanshan Station! Josh and I went here two weekends in a row and loved it both times. The first time we came to Yuanshan Station was for the fine arts museum (which is right across the street from this station) The 2nd time we were actually on our way somewhere else… but we got distracted by this strange orb rider you could ride for $100 NT. Then one distraction led to another, and we never actually made it to our original destination! 😛
The Taipei Expo Park
Exiting Yuanshan Station you come out above ground, overlooking the Taipei Expo Park. On weekends there are a couple different markets happening here. In that mix is a farmers market type thing as well as a bunch of carnival like booths with games for kids. There’s cloths and crafts and just all sorts of things to gawk at, taste test and barter for.
Then there’s a big open cement areas where adorable little kids wiz around in baby electric cars can rent for them there. Or you can rent a joy stick powered orb rider to roll around in yourself for a few minutes!
As you keep going on the southeast corner is this cutesy section of cafes and store fronts with a courtyard in the center lit with white Christmas lights. The evening we were there, there was a jazz vocalist giving a free concert there. I also bought some clothes from ladies selling everything on their table for $100 NT a piece. It’s the closest I’ve come to garage sale shopping since I left the states, and I was super happy about it.
Also in that area is my new favorite bagel shop! You can get bagels of all different fun funky flavors made fresh there (and thankfully the flavors are labelled in English!) But its not all shopping & eating here! There are lots of little art installations and some beautiful landscaped surprises. And that’s all before you cross the street over to the Fine Arts Museum side where you can stroll through the rose garden, botanical pavilions, and even a garden maze (all free by the way!). Click on the names in blue to see them on google maps.
Fine Arts Museum
Walk through the expo center and across the street and you’re at the Fine Arts Museum! When we went we were very impressed with the variety of art and the thoughtful manner in which it was displayed. For more details our our blog about it!
Rose Garden
The Fine Art Museum also has some outdoor art installation in its park. After walking through it, cross the street again you will come to this lovely little free rose garden!
Garden Maze
This maze
seems like something that should be in Alice in Wonderland. Although unfortunately the hedges are rather short, making it for less of a full maze experience. But for kids I’m sure it’s awesome, and it’s fun for pictures 🙂 Best of all, it’s free.
Taipei Collective Botanical Garden
A lovely building housing botanical exhibits showcasing native flora of Taiwan from it’s frigid, temperate, and tropical zones. Besides admiring beautiful and curious plants you can also learn about the ecology of Taiwan by reading the many English signs provided through out.
Pavilion of Angel Life
Another opportunity to view art and maybe catch a cultural exhibit! Regardless of what’s currently on display though, The Pavilion of Angel Life is worth going to just for this enormous center courtyard which encompasses a beautiful turquoise water lily pond.
Check out our Red Line MRT page for more ideas on where to go and what to explore off the MRT’s red line! And if you like this post, feel free to pin it to pintrest with the picture bellow.
