Flying Squirrel Culture Studio
Taipei
On the ground floor of compact Huashan Market, this little shop (no English name, look for stall A19) sells some curious indigenous handicrafts, brightly…
Flying Squirrel Culture Studio
Taipei
On the ground floor of compact Huashan Market, this little shop (no English name, look for stall A19) sells some curious indigenous handicrafts, brightly…
Kaohsiung
This old shop makes unbleached winter-melon sugar (冬瓜糖, dōngguā táng) and snacks. The sugar can be consumed as sweets, added to tea, or melted in hot…
Eastern Taiwan & Taroko National Park
Originally founded in 1939 as a tiny vendor of rice dumplings and sweet potatoes, this store has morphed into a large and appealingly chaotic showcase for…
Taichung
A lovely shop and gallery inside an old house in a state of romantic crumble – there's skylight in the open kitchen, peeling pillars and hanging…
Tainan
Not 'just' a roadside stall, this one is run by the gregarious armchair historian Maru Yang. Mr Yang likes to share recommendations with travellers, some…
Taipei
Hailing from a mountain tea-growing community in central Taiwan's Nantou, Mr and Mrs Chang have been selling organically grown oolong teas from all over…
Southern Taiwan
A large compound with a tile-making factory, a cafe, and a shop selling ceramic sculptures, tableware, crockery and vases for NT$50 to NT$2 million. Some…
Taipei
This is Taipei's most renowned bookshop chain, with locations all over town. This branch is the famous 24-hour location. There's a good selection of…
Taipei
A shop for the lesbian community with both in-store and online sales. In recent years it has expanded into a cafe and hosts local events, tarot-card…
Taipei
GinGin's is a gay-and-lesbian shop offering books and adult magazines (Mandarin only), DVDs, stationery, gifts, posters, sex toys and clothing. See if you…
Taipei
Six storeys of electronics, software, hardware, laptops, peripherals, mobile phones and gadgets of all kinds. Dozens of smaller shops speckle the…
Taipei
This third-generation shop is the last remaining traditional embroidered shoe outlet in Taipei. Most of the dainty little items (with patterns such as…
Western Taiwan
The shop is on the right just before you enter the pedestrian-only area near Mazu Temple. Fans range from a few hundred dollars to many thousands for the…
Kaohsiung
An organic farmers market that takes place every weekend (and sometimes one weekday) in five venues across Kaohsiung. Produce on offer includes fruits and…
Taipei
This lovely independent bookshop, run by Mr Wu, stocks a selection of scholarly history and political books on Taiwan in English, as well as maps,…
Taipei
Traditional Chinese medicine store with both dried herbs and prepackaged remedies. There's no English sign. You can spot this place by its old wooden…
Tainan
All kinds of fragrant sugar-cane smoked and braised deliciousness, such as tofu and eggs for immediate consumption, or hock and an entire chicken, vacuum…
Guan De Xin Paper Umbrella Shop
Southern Taiwan
If you are looking to buy a paper umbrella, this is a cheaper option than the famous Kuang Chin Sheng. A brolly here costs between NT$400 and NT$1800.
Tainan
Chin Chin comprises a pottery workshop on the upper floor, a small gallery showing the works of overseas artists, and a shop with a brief display of…
Western Taiwan
The master here is a fourth-generation tinsmith. His elaborate dragon boats and expressive masks cost thousands but are worth the price for their beauty…
Kaohsiung
The Pier-2 branch of Taiwan's famous book-and-lifestyle store tends to focus on leisure reading with something for everyone in the family. You can also…
Hualien
Even if you can't read the books they sell, it's worth peeping in this secondhand bibliophile's paradise to admire the charming old Japanese house that…
Taipei
In a restored long shophouse from 1913, this exceptional ceramic studio carries the Hakka Blue brand, inspired by the indigo colour of Hakka clothing.
Southern Taiwan
This little family-run shop opened in the 1930s making traditional Hakka-style indigo clothing and accessories. A loose-fitting shirt costs NT$3000.
Southern Taiwan
This artificial re-creation of an old-fashioned neighbourhood is definitely touristy, but you can still watch traditional crafts being made, sample Hakka…