Taipei Cinema Park Tours

Former warehouses and converted factories line the edges of Taipei Cinema Park, a trendy and alternative open-air complex that comes alive with music and street art. Artistic graffiti adorns the walls of this concrete slab, where local youth congregate to skateboard and listen to live music. For a sense of what it is to be a teenager from Taipei, visit Taipei Cinema Park and attend some of the many cultural events that take place in the main square.

From dance recitals to photo shoots, the site hosts all types of cultural exhibitions that showcase local art and culture. The principal square is the Art Plaza, which has a stage for music concerts, as well as an auditorium for art exhibits and multimedia presentations. Relax with a book on a bench at the edge of the square in the shade of the trees.

Check out the redbrick Multifunctional Hall, which has an intriguing architectural blend of modern and old-world features. Lectures, workshops and theater rehearsals take place in this building, which also has indoor movie screenings. Among the highlights of the site is the Graffiti Wall, a spot where it is legal for young street artists to express themselves.

Note that the complex was inaugurated in 1934, during the Japanese colonial era. It was abandoned for a few decades, before being restored and put back into use in 2001, becoming the largest park in Ximending. Other parts of the complex are the Backstreet Plaza and the Urban Show Case.

Taipei Cinema Park is in the Wanhua District of Taipei, bordering the eastern bank of the Tamsui River. Travel by bus to the stop just outside the complex, which is north of the Guangzhou Street Night Market. While in the area, make sure to see other nearby landmarks, such as Yanping Riverside Park, the North Gate and the Red House octagonal historic building.