Breakfast Chatz: Shopping haven in Taipei

Shopping haven in Taipei - Wu Fen Pu

All you discount junkies scream “T-A-I-P-E-I”!

More specifically, scream Wu Fen Pu [五分埔], Taipei!

See? Fashion Area - they sure won't kidding! Look out for this sign if you're walking along Youngi Rd.

Fashionistas, I tell you, it ain’t easy - drooling and jumping with joy at the same time (which was what I was doing!) as I stepped foot into Wu Fen Pu.

Note the No Cars road sign? It's semi-bluff! Delivery trucks will somehow manage to wedge itself through! And, beware of motorbikes too. They have a tendency of suddenly swooshing past you. Lanes are narrows. These wheelers sure can be a hazard!

So what’s this place called Wu Fen Pu you might ask? Well, if the pics ain’t explanatory enough, Wu Fen Bu is a wholesaler’s shopping haven – something like Chatuchak Market in Bangkok.

"Where’s this haven?” asks the shopaholic she-devil in you. Miss Devillishly Juicy replies "see directions below"

1) Take the MRT to Houshanpi [後山埤] Station (Nangang line i.e. blue line).

2) At the Houshanpi station, take Exit 4, as you get off the escalator, take a 180 degrees turn, turn right and walk along Youngji Street for about 5-10 minutes.

3) Lookout for the roadsigns that says "Wu Fen Pu" as seen above, and turn right into the Wu Fen Pu! A good landmark would be to look out for the red YMCA building on the left. The entrance to Wu Fen Pu is directly opposite YMCA.

If all else fails, print the map below.

The shopping perimeter is defined within the boundaries of Yongji Rd, Zhongpo N. Rd, Songlong Rd., and Songshan Rd.

The map is a part of Taipei Tourist Map, version Dec. 2007, which is provided by Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government.

Some interesting facts about Wu Fen Pu, which shopaholics should take note of:

1) Most shops open at around noon and close after mid-night

2) On Sundays, shops may close earlier around 9:00p.m.

3) Mondays are said to be strictly for wholesalers only, so you might not be served as well on other days.

Be warned though that clothes here are not as cheap as Chatuchak’s, and accessories are expensive (i.e. approx. NT200/earring (approx. RM20) for an pretty pair of earring that you can easily get for RM10 in from online accessories stores like FashionStory, MJ Accessories, or My Vanity Closet. The clothes are however, of better quality than Chatuchak, and are relatively cheaper than clothes you’d find in Malaysia for the same quality. Clothes generally range from about NT150 – NT790 (dresses and a decent blazer).

Note: Wu Fen Pu sells a variety of women, men and kid's clothes.

During the time that I went, which was a few weeks back, the fashion was all about chiffon and lace - very sweet and demure looking tops and dresses. Similar to Chatuchak, you're not allowed to try on the clothes - you may get lucky withsome, but hardly any allows you to. Sizes for clothes can easily fit a Medium sized person (AUS size 10), whilst those on the Large size may find it just a teensy little more difficult to fit into the clothes.

Fret not, there were even shops for plus sizes!!


The "towkay" (shopowner) hidden behind price tags was fast making his way to me for taking this steal shot! Eeps! Feet - R.U.N.! This is on Youngji Rd, Lane 491, Alley 7, No. 17 [永吉街, 491 巷, 7弄, 17 號]

My favourite shop of the lot is Mi~Do~ [米朵]

on Youngji Rd, Lane 459, Alley 3, No. 12 [永吉街, 459巷, 3弄, 12號]

For the simple reason that it had the best offer in town! Any 1 item in the shop is sold at NT190, 2 items NT300, and if you buy in bulk (i.e. > 30 items it'd be at NT130/ piece). Using economies of scale, we figured the more the cheaper, so we bulk purchased! We must have bought every item in that store!
Unfortunately, due to Accute Shopping Syndrome, we did not manage to grab a pic to tempt you. Sorry darlings! >.<

Juicy Tip: As with any wholesales haven, please remember to bring a trolley bag, and save your shoulders from being weighed down by the shopping loot!

More pics to tempt your very shopping souls: ;)