Visiting Jianguo Flower Market and Jade Market: A Local Weekend Spot (建國假日花市・玉市)
If you’re in Taipei on a weekend, the Jianguo Flower and Jade Market (建國花市・玉市) is a great place to explore for a local experience.
The Flower and Jade Markets sit side by side under the Jianguo Elevated Highway (建國高架). On weekdays, the space serves as a public parking lot, but on weekends, it transforms into a lively marketplace. Vendors from all over Taiwan come here to set up their stalls, filling the area with plants, flowers, and gemstones.
In this post, you’ll learn what makes these two markets special, what to expect when you visit, and a few tips to help you make the most of your trip.
Hi, I’m Grace, born and raised in Taiwan and now living in the United States. I return to my hometown of Taipei every year to visit family, and I love exploring new places each time I’m back. I hope my experiences and tips can help you plan a fun and memorable trip to Taipei.
Visiting Jianguo Flower Market and Jade Market
One of the best things about visiting the Jianguo markets is that they are completely covered under the elevated highway.
You can come here on a rainy day without worrying about getting wet, and on hot sunny days, the shade keeps the walkway cool and comfortable.
Here are some useful details about the markets.
Location, Hours, And How To Get There
Here is the link to Google Maps.
They are open only on Saturdays and Sundays from 9AM to 6PM.
If you’d like to get there by MRT, the closest station is Da’an Park Station (R06，大安森林公園) on the Red Line. Use Exit 6 and walk for about 5 minutes.
As you walk from the MRT station toward the markets, take a moment to notice the surrounding area. Da’an Park is often called the “Central Park of Taipei,” and the residential buildings around it are among the most expensive in the city.
Jianguo Flower Market (建國花市)
I used to visit the Flower Market with my parents when I was a child, but I didn’t appreciate plants and flowers back then. I remember waiting impatiently while they bargained with the vendors. Now that I’ve grown to love plants, I see the market in a whole new way.
The Flower Market is filled with rows of stalls selling everything from orchids and bonsai to succulents, fruit trees. In recent years, tropical indoor plants such as monstera and philodendron have become very popular in Taiwan, and you’ll find plenty of them here too.
Even if you’re just browsing, it’s fun to walk through and see the variety of colors and shapes, as well as check out their prices. Some stalls display their plants so beautifully that you’ll want to take photos at every turn.
In addition to plants and seasonal flowers, you’ll also find pots, gardening tools, and home or garden décor.
When my son and I visited on a hot summer morning in 2025, we also saw vendors selling local snacks and drinks. We cooled off with a cup of freshly squeezed juice and tried a traditional Taiwanese snack called tong qian bing (銅錢餅).
Jianguo Jade market
Right next to the Flower Market, you’ll find the Jade Market, which has a totally different vibe. It’s quieter and cooler, with long rows of tables displaying jade bracelets, pendants, figurines, and all kinds of gemstones.
Jade has long been considered a symbol of good luck and protection in Taiwanese culture.
Many locals believe that wearing jade helps ward off bad energy and brings peace and safety to the wearer. It’s also common for parents or grandparents to give jade bracelets or pendants to children as blessings for health and good fortune.
Over time, the jade is said to absorb the wearer’s energy and become even more meaningful; that’s why many people treat their jade pieces almost like cherished companions rather than accessories.
My son and I aren’t particularly into jade ourselves, but we stopped by for a quick look during our last visit. We arrived just after the market opened, and many vendors were still setting up their stalls. Even so, there were already quite a few people browsing (many were Western tourists) and asking questions.
If you’re interested in gemstones or looking for a meaningful souvenir, this is a great place to explore.
Nearby Attractions
There are a couple of great places nearby that you can include in your itinerary.
Da’an Forest Park (大安森林公園)
Da’an Forest Park is one of the largest green spaces in Taipei. It’s a great spot to take a stroll before or after browsing the markets. The park has wide walking paths, shady trees, and peaceful ponds that make it feel like a little forest in the middle of the city.
If you’re visiting with young children, this is also a nice place to let them run around and enjoy the playground. Many locals come here for a walk, a jog, or to simply relax on the grass, so it’s a good place to experience the slower side of Taipei life.
While you’re at the park, take a look at the buildings around it. The area surrounding Da’an Forest Park is known as one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Taipei and is often said to be the richest in Taiwan.
Yongkang Street (永康街)
Within walking distance from Da’an Forest Park, or one MRT stop away (Dongmen Station, R07), you will reach one of Taipei’s most popular food and shopping streets.
Yongkang Street is filled with cafés, restaurants, and dessert shops, so it’s a perfect place to stop for lunch or afternoon tea. You’ll find everything from traditional Taiwanese dishes to international food, along with souvenir shops and small boutiques to explore along the way.
I have a standalone post about Yongkang Street, if you’re interested in learning more.
Final Thoughts
The Jianguo Flower and Jade Market perfectly captures the weekend rhythm of Taipei.
What I like most is how easy and comfortable it is to visit. Rain or shine, you can walk around under the highway, grab a drink or a snack, and take your time exploring.
If you are spending a weekend in Taipei, come here in the morning, then head to Da’an Forest Park or Yongkang Street afterward. It is a simple, refreshing way to enjoy the local side of the city.
