Taipei's 5th gate, whose name means Little South Gate, dates back to when the capital was a walled city under the Qing dynasty. It now sits like a lonely landmark in the middle of a cross-section. The one you can see today is a reconstruction. The original was destroyed by the Japanese in their attempt to modernise Taipei once they took control of Taiwan at the end of the 19th century.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Nishi Honganji Square

0.26 MILES

This small park is the site of a former Japanese temple, which was built at the end of the 19th century for the country's military, and which offered…

2. Botanical Gardens

0.33 MILES

An oasis in the city, this 8-hectare park has well-stocked greenhouses, literature- and Chinese-zodiac-themed gardens, a lotus pond and myriad lanes where…

3. Presidential Office Building

0.34 MILES

Built in 1919 as the seat of the Japanese governor general of Taiwan, this striking building has housed the offices of the Taiwan president since 1949…

4. Red House

0.38 MILES

Ximending's most iconic building was built in 1908 to serve as Taipei's first public market. These days it's a multifunctional cultural centre, with…

5. Bopiliao Historic Block

0.38 MILES

One of the best-preserved historic sections of Wanhua, Bopiliao covers both Qing and early Japanese-era architecture. Some of the buildings house art…

6. U-mkt

0.41 MILES

This horseshoe-shaped market is now a spruced-up studio and exhibition space in minimalist white-and-concrete. There are remnants of the 80-year-old…

7. Tianhou Temple

0.42 MILES

This small, atmospheric temple appears from the outside as a narrow, elaborate shopfront in the Ximending area. But walk through the gate and you'll find…