Fun Taipei - Xi Men Ding

Darling divas – I tell you, no trip to Taipei is complete without a trip to Xi Men Ding (西門町). Wikitravel likened it to the Harajuku district in Japan – whilst I haven’t been to Harajuku (yet!), from pictures that I’ve seen, I say aye to that, albeit at a lower scale!

Sleepy Xi Men Ding in the wee hours of the morning

Xi Men Ding has it’s fair share of interesting and gorgeously dressed people. The ladies over there look as if they’d never leave home without makeup, coz they’re so beautifully made up. So brave souls, if you so much as step outta your hotel without at least a dab of lipstick, you have been forewarned!

I really liked shopping at Xi Men Ding. The vendors were friendlier than those in Wu Fen Pu. Fashionistas, if you have naught the time to do your shopping rounds in Wu Fen Pu (which is farther north of Taipei City), take an MRT to the Xi Men station, and step into Xi Men Ding for your dose of shopping.

Xi Men Ding has it's own share of cheap and expensive stores. At the time of writing, chiffon was all the fad, hence, it was everywhere. Chiffon tops going from approx. NT390 (RM39) and chiffon dresses from about NT590 (RM59). There were many stores that were selling longish-dress-like tees from NT100 onwards - something like the tees (embossed hearts and stars tee-shirt) that you'll find in F-block, and leopards print top.

I found accessories here to be expensive - earrings that you can buy from My Vanity Closet, MJ Accessories, and A Fashion Story for approx. RM10, were being sold at a min of RM 20 (NT200). Hence, I skipped em' all.

I'm guilty of not taking more pics! Eeps! The shopping was just too good to stop for picture time :P

In Xi Men Ding, you'd find changing rooms in the shops, but good luck in finding one that actually lets you use it. This is because, most shops only allow you to try on clothes that are not on any sorts of discount (even if it's only 10%!).

Check out the below pics for some interesting stores worth popping in for a look and a giggle or two:

Famous Japanese designer graphic tee - Graniph -  available only in Taiwan and Hong Kong (in Asia). Address: No. 68, Sec. 2, Wuchang St., Wanhua District, Taipei City 10844 Taiwan (+886-2-2389-0998). Biz hours: 13:00 - 22:30

Such an interesting store - how can anyone resist taking a pic of it? *giggles*

And hey, since we're in Ecstasy, might as well add on to that euphoria with a visit to Taiwan's local lingerie brand:

Easy Shop - a home brand, available in Taiwan, Hong Kong and China. Their store in Ximen carries a few brands - 18eighteen PINK, easy body, Kiss Girl, Mon Cheri and Audrey, all so gorgeous and sexy. Prices here are said to be about 20% cheaper than what you'd find in Hong Kong. Address: No. 59, Chengdu St., Wanhua District, Taipei City 10844 Taiwan (+886-2-2381-1779). Biz hours: 11:00 - 22:00

The Crocs flagstore can be found in Xi Men Ding. They have Hello Kitty Crocs in Ximen/ Taiwan too. Prices of Crocs do not differ much from what you find in Malaysia - the difference arising from a favourable or unfavourable exchange rate, but they do seem to carry more variety of sneakers.

After the sun sets, and night falls, the mobile vendors begin their moonlight quests - setting up portable stores in the middle of the streets. They're called mobile because, when the reinforcers (methinks they were handsome policemen) come about to hassle the vendors for illegal selling, they would just wrap and go, or push their pushcarts away. Best time to run away with a free loot!) hahah..I was just joking!! The vendors would linger next to you with the wrap-and-go stock till you pay em'. They do have some funky interesting trinkets that are worth checking out. Just remember to make your decisions quickly, lest the handsome policemen linger about YOU too!

You've gotta make a stop here if you're ever in Taipei, divas! Words just can't describe it's awesomeness: fashion + shopping + food + trinkets = Awesome Xi Men Ding!.


Happy shopping darlings!!!