How To Spend An Afternoon In Zhongshan, Taipei (中山區）

Zhongshan is a great area to spend an afternoon, but it’s not always obvious where to start.

It is packed with restaurants, cafés, and unique shops. With so many options in such a short stretch, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed trying to decide what’s worth your time.

My parents live about a 10-minute walk from Zhongshan MRT Station, so this area naturally becomes my home base whenever I return to Taipei from the United States.

After years of exploring the shops and restaurants here, I’ve developed my own favorites.

In this post, I’ll show you exactly how I’d plan an afternoon in Zhongshan, along with the places I think are actually worth stopping for.

Who This Area Is Best For

Zhongshan At A Glance

When locals say, “Let’s hang out in Zhongshan,” they are most likely referring to the area around Zhongshan MRT Station.

Most of the activity is concentrated in a relatively small stretch between Zhongshan Station and Shuanglian Station. You can walk through the entire area in about 10 to 15 minutes, but the appeal is in slowing down and exploring along the way.

The main area is centered around a linear park (Xinzhongshan Linear Park, 心中山線型公園) and the surrounding side streets, especially Chifeng Street （赤峰街). This is where you’ll find the highest concentration of cafés, dessert shops, and small boutiques.

In addition to the smaller streets, there are also a couple of large department stores, including Eslite Spectrum and Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Nanxi, which are useful if you want to take a break indoors or avoid the weather.

How To Get To Zhongshan

Google Maps: MRT Zhongshan Station

The most convenient way to get there is by taking the MRT. Take either the Red Line or the Green Line to Zhongshan Station (R11 or G14).

If you are coming from Taipei Main Station (R10 or B12) and are in the mood for a short walk underground, look for the sign for “Zhongshan Metro Mall” (中山地下街).

It takes less than 10 minutes to walk along the underground street, and you can browse various shops along the way.

How To Spend An Afternoon In Zhongshan

Here is how I’d structure an afternoon in Zhongshan:

Start With Lunch

There are plenty of places to eat in Zhongshan, and it’s easy to spend too much time trying to decide where to go. If you want some delicious Taiwanese food but don’t know where to start, this is one place I’ve come back to many times: Yonshin (永心鳳茶: Google Maps).

It is a casual sit-down Taiwanese restaurant located in Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store （use MRT Exit 4).

What I like about Yonshin is that they offer well-curated set menus, so you can try a range of Taiwanese dishes without having to choose everything individually. The flavors are familiar but done with a bit more refinement than typical street food.

Their tea and cakes are also worth trying, but I’d save some room, since you’ll have plenty more to eat in the afternoon.

Explore Chifeng Street (赤峰街)

After lunch, exit the department store and go to Xinzhongshan Linear Park心中山線型公園 (Google Maps). This part of Zhongshan is commonly referred to as Chifeng Street (赤峰街), although it includes more than just the main street itself.

If you only have time to explore one part of Zhongshan, this is where I would focus.

You’ll see many boutique shops and dessert spots along the linear park. Take your time to browse what catches your eye, and don’t forget to explore the alleys branching off the park, where you’ll discover even more unique shops tucked away.

If you visit on the weekend, you will also see various booths set up in the park, selling accessories, arts, and creative products…etc.

In general, the crowd here is on the younger side. While I’ve moved past the age and style many of these shops cater to, I still enjoy spending time here to see what’s trending and to take in the area’s vibrant energy.

For someone with a sweet tooth, the highlight for me is always the dessert shops! I’ve listed several of my favorite places:

Smile Froyo (Google Maps) -Frozen yogurt topped with your choice of fresh fruits and other toppings. Everything is beautifully presented, and it tastes as good as it looks. It’s a little pricey, but worth it for a treat. I took my son here once, and we both loved it.
Ron Museum 榕美術館 (Google Maps) – A lovely spot for traditional tofu dessert (豆花). The café’s exterior is beautifully designed, and I often see people posing for photos whenever I pass by. The inside is just as charming.
Yuciren 魚刺人(Google Maps) – If you like egg cakes (雞蛋糕), don’t walk past this one. They’re freshly made and hard to resist.
Sa Bai Tian 灑白甜 ( Google Maps) – My son’s favorite stop for mochi. We often grab some on our way home from the MRT station.

Visit Eslite Spectrum

After spending time exploring the small alleys, head indoors for a change of pace at Eslite Spectrum 誠品生活南西店 （Google Maps)

Eslite Spectrum 誠品生活 is one of my favorite places to bring visitors.

It is a well-known Taiwanese brand that started as a bookstore and gradually expanded into a department store concept. In addition to books, you’ll find a well-curated mix of brands across fashion, accessories, lifestyle goods, and stationery.

Many brands here incorporate Taiwanese elements into their products. You’ll find items made from local materials and designs inspired by Taiwan.

If you’re looking for a souvenir that feels more thoughtful than a typical gift shop find, this is a good place to browse.

The store spans 6 floors, including a food court on B1, so there’s plenty to explore. I’d set aside at least an hour, maybe more if you enjoy taking your time.

Take a Break at a Café

By this point, it’s a good time to sit down and rest. There are several options in the Eslite Spectrum building.

In addition to their food court on B1, if you’re searching for a café with a relaxing atmosphere and delicious food, this is one I keep coming back to: Shi Xi 食習 on the 4th floor.

They serve Taiwanese-style snacks and desserts such as grass jelly (仙草) and egg cakes (雞蛋糕). Below are a couple of photos of desserts I’ve enjoyed with my friends here.

Final Thoughts

Zhongshan is not a place you visit for a specific landmark. It’s a place you come to spend time and take in Taipei’s vibrant energy.

Everything sits within a short stretch, so you don’t need to rush or move around too much. Start with a proper meal, walk through the streets, stop when something looks interesting, and take a break when you need one.

I hope this post is helpful to you!