Huashan 1914 Creative Park is a creative park and the most interesting place to explore in Taipei, Taiwan. It is a place for artists and art practitioners to express their views and wisdom.
Learn about the history of Huashan 1914 Creative Park
Taiwan is famous for its creative parks. Over the years, Taiwan’s central and local governments have made great efforts to transform many abandoned warehouses and industrial areas into thriving cultural spaces and art centers. The Huashan 1914 Creative Park (華山1914文化創意產業園區) is one of them.
It may be a playground for artists today, but it was originally a sake and ginseng factory in 1914 during the Japanese colonial period. Today, this Taipei tourist spot is known for its cute cafes, musical theaters, great handicrafts and unique souvenirs.
Huashan 1914 Creative Park, located in Zhongzheng District, Taipei, Taiwan, was originally the Taihoku Winery. Ownership of the Taihoku Winery was later transferred to the Taiwanese government and renamed the Taipei Winery in the 1940s before moving permanently to Linkou in northwest Taipei. Years later, artists came to the vacant lot and called for it to be developed into an arts center. In the late 1990s, the old winery was saved from demolition and became the Huashan 1914 Creative Park, which officially opened as an art and social space in 2005.
Huashan 1914 Creative Park was once an abandoned Japanese-era winery in Taipei that was on the brink of demolition before being discovered and restored to become the creative park full of exhibitions, shows, cafes and art shops it is today.
Beautiful campus located in the heart of Taipei.
Some important notes before visiting Huashan 1914 Creative Park
Directions to Huashan 1914 Creative Park
Train: The nearest metro station to Huashan 1914 is Zhongxiao Xinsheng (Exit 1) – take the metro Blue or Orange line. It’s a 3-minute walk from the station. Alternatively, you can get off at Shandaoshi Station on the metro Blue line – about a 5-minute walk.
Bus: Taipei Public Buses No. 202, 205, 212, 232, 247 257,262, 269, 276, 299, 600, 605 and Taipei Double-Decker Sightseeing Bus also have stops near Huashan 1914 Creative Park.
There is a car and motorbike parking lot at the park to the left of the main entrance, parking fee is about NT$25/hour for motorbikes and NT$40/hour for cars – reference price accurate as of April 2024.
Huashan 1914 Creative Park Admission Fees and Opening Hours
You can go to Huashan 1914 Creative Park to take a walk, but some exhibitions and events may charge an entrance fee. In addition, here we will also see many artists and musicians performing live on the street for free on weekends, if you can, you can give them a little tip. In addition, this cultural park welcomes visitors 24/7, but most shops and restaurants are only open from early morning until about 9-10 pm.
The ideal time to visit the park
Like most heritage and cultural parks in Taiwan, the best time to visit Huashan 1914 Creative Park is on weekends or early evenings on weekdays. On weekends, visitors to Taiwan will enjoy many street art performances by artists. It is also more crowded than usual with many locals, tourists, and many families with young children coming to enjoy picnics.
If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, we suggest you consider visiting on other days of the week. Ultimately, the most reasonable amount of time to explore the park is at least 2-3 hours, or longer if you want to take in the pop-up exhibitions or enjoy the many bars and cafes.
You can visit the park all day. Photo: taiwan.net.tw
Things to do in Huashan 1914 Creative Park
Explore Taipei’s art hub
Entering the Huashan 1914 Creative Park is like entering a magical wonderland where old industrial architecture and contemporary art combine in a uniquely surreal way. Strolling through the old brick warehouses, we will be treated to many exhibitions, both old and new, presented by the most promising artists in the country. Don’t forget to take photos of the outdoor artworks that are scattered throughout the creative park.
In addition, the indoor and outdoor exhibitions change frequently, so there is always something new to explore. A little tip from the travel experience is that you should visit the Huashan 1914 Creative Park website if you want to preview the exhibition information, visit: www.huashan1914.com/ for more details.
Exhibition Warehouses: Several old winery buildings in Huashan 1914 Creative Park have been converted into warehouses and host several major exhibitions each year. There are usually two to five exhibitions at any given time in the warehouses. Sometimes admission is free, but better exhibitions will cost NT$200 to NT$400. Sometimes there are exhibitions by world-famous artists such as the Jason Freeny toy anatomy exhibition, the miniature works exhibition by Japanese artist Tatsuya Tanaka, etc.
Craft Shops: There are a number of shops selling unique and interesting items. Many are pop-up shops that open and close, but most sell unique, well-crafted gifts and accessories. One place you shouldn’t miss is Wooderful Life, a Taiwanese craft shop that sells magical wooden toys.
Cinemas, Theaters and Music Venues: One of the best independent cinemas in Taipei located in the Huashan 1914 Creative Park is The Spot, which screens films from around the world and hosts several film festivals each year. We also have Legacy, which hosts some of Taipei’s biggest rock and indie acts.
Art exhibition by famous artists in a warehouse at Huashan 1914 Creative Park. Photo: taipeitravelgeek
At Wooderful Life, you will find many exquisitely crafted wooden crafts. Photo: taipeitravelgeek
Legacy Taipei has a capacity of about 1,000 people, with a great lighting system and impressive sound quality. Photo: taipeitravelgeek
Enjoy special performances by street artists
While Huashan 1914 Creative Park is quiet and relaxing on weekdays, the park is filled with life and color on weekends. Locals and tourists flock to the park to eat, shop, and relax. Street performers stop by various locations to play live music and get the crowd going.
Before visiting the park, be sure to check the website to see if there are any interesting exhibitions or events taking place around the time of your visit. Occasionally, concerts and events are held in the indoor Legacy space and the outdoor Huashan Theater.
A local street performer performs at Huashan 1914 Creative Park over the weekend. Photo: 2020 Josh Ellis
Stop at quaint cafes and restaurants
One of the most popular things visitors do at Huashan 1914 Creative Park is relax with food and drinks. Stop by one of the park’s cafes, known for their cool and creative atmosphere, such as Fujin Tree Landmark, FabCafé, and Trio Café.
After a day of exploring the art park, take a break and grab a bite to eat to recharge. A recommended option is Alleycat’s Pizza – an Italian restaurant specializing in hearty meals and delicious pizzas.
Exterior architecture of Fujin Tree Landmark. Photo: jscdesignstudio
The space inside the restaurant. Photo: huashan1914
Quality dishes are served to diners. Photo: huashan1914
It can be said that Huashan 1914 Creative Park is one of the most ideal places in Taipei for you to walk around and explore art.
Đài Loan