Must-see shopping in Southern Taiwan

  • Kuang Chin Sheng Paper Umbrella

    Southern Taiwan

    This shop in a courtyard house is the Louis Vuitton of Taiwanese oil-paper umbrellas. It was founded during Japanese rule and appeared on the cover of an…

  • Ubuntu

    Tainan

    An airy bookshop-cafe with large windows framing the sky, trees and canal outside. The books are mostly in Chinese, and lean towards the arts and…

  • Hayashi Department Store

    Tainan

    The elegant Hayashi Department Store sells attractive homewares and fashion created by Taiwanese designers, as well as gorgeously packaged Taiwanese cakes…

  • TaKao Books

    Kaohsiung

    A delightful bookshop strong in the arts and humanities. Most books are in Mandarin, but there are photography titles in English as well as CDs of music…

  • Bandon Stationery Store

    Kaohsiung

    Who says pens and erasers are obsolete? All the kinds of stationery that a kid has ever dreamed of owning – you'll find them here, including retro items…

  • Wu Wan Cun Incense Shop

    Tainan

    This family-run incense business started 120 years ago in the Qing dynasty. Today the fragrant sticks and cones are still handmade from all-natural…

  • In Blooom

    Kaohsiung

    A small fabric-art boutique selling lovely bags, garments and souvenir items printed with images native to Taiwan; in particular, the island's flora and…

  • Nan Gua

    Kaohsiung

    A funky vintage shop selling interesting pre-1990s garments, watches and earrings from all over the globe. What we also love is the colourful glass art by…

  • Lulu the Dimpled Cat

    Kaohsiung

    A deliciously musty shop chock-full of vintage toys, beaded handbags, used books and other exotic paraphernalia. There's usually a small exhibition on the…

  • Tainan Kuang Tsai Embroidery Shop

    Tainan

    Mr Lin, one of the last remaining embroidery masters in Tainan, has been working at his craft for more than 50 years and now he and his daughter have…

  • Wuguan Books

    Kaohsiung

    You'd think you've stumbled into a bar or a mysterious Buddhist cave, but no, this is a bookshop. Save for dots of light on individual tomes, this quirky…

  • Sanfong Central Street

    Kaohsiung

    Kaohsiung's largest grocery wholesale market, the southern equivalent of Taipei's Dihua St, is here in Sanmin District, near Kaohsiung Main Station. The…

  • He Tai

    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…

  • Maru Yang Betel Nut Stall

    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…

  • Meinong Kiln

    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…

  • Breeze Farmers Market

    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…

  • Song Leng

    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.

  • Chin Chin Pottery

    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…

  • Eslite

    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…

  • Jing Shing Blue Shirts Shop

    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.

  • Meinong Folk Village

    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…