Gongguan Info: A Guide to Gongguan Night Market in Taipei

Located in between the Zhongzheng and Daan Districts of Taipei, Taiwan, the Gongguan Night Market (公馆 in Chinese) is frequented by locals and tourists. Situated in Taipei’s business district, Gongguan also attracts university students as it is close to the National Taiwan University. Visitors who are looking for an area that has diverse attractions, including coffee shops, clothing stores, food, and bookstores, among other attractions, will enjoy exploring the Gongguan Night Market.

The Gongguan Night Market is open year-round between the hours of 3 p.m. to 11:45 pm and, as it attracts many students, the prices for food and items in this area are reasonable as they primarily cater to budget-conscious individuals. While there are many night markets in the area to choose from, Gongguan is especially worth your time if you love food or consider yourself to be a “foodie” as Gongguan Night Market’s specialty is cuisine and they offer an array of delicious dining options, including thick soup, bubble milk tea, and other local delicacies, with interesting options to try like pig’s blood cake if you are an adventurous eater.

Conveniently located beside the Gongguan Station of the Taipei Metro, the market is very easy to get to, and makes for a great hotel home base as it is easy to explore the rest of Taipei from this area. If you are planning on making a visit to Gongguan, expect to spend from about an hour in the area looking around (many people spend between 20 min to 1 hr in the market), which should give you enough time to shop and eat as you explore this night market in Taiwan. As with any busy location that sees a lot of foot traffic and tourists, be sure to keep your valuables secure and consider using a money belt as pickpockets do tend to prey on distracted tourists – or leave your valuables back in the hotel safe.

Shopping & Things to Do Near the Gongguan Night Market

If you love to shop and eat you are in luck as the Gongguan Night Market is a great place for visitors to find delicious food options as there are many food stands and restaurants available in the market, as well as shopping options. Whether you’re just looking for a bite to eat or want to do some shopping while you are in the area, the Gongguan Night Market should have everything you need. Here are a few suggestions for shopping and food options in the market, though exploring for a hidden gem is also a fun choice!

• ▪ NTU Insect Museum: Within walking distance of the Gongguan Night Market, this museum is home to a variety of rare and common insects and has one of the largest collections in Taiwan and is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• ▪ Treasure Hill Guanyin Temple: This temple is located within an artists’ village and is a great place to visit if you love art. Expect to see art installations as you enjoy food and drinks from the nearby cafés. Located just a short transit ride away from Gongguan.
• ▪ Ningxia Night Market: Just a short metro ride away, the Ningxia Night Market is one of the oldest night markets in Taipei and has the nickname “Taipei’s stomach.” Head here if you’re looking for a night market with a great mix of traditional and modern food options.

Best Places to Eat Near the Gongguan Night Market

The Gongguan Night Market is one of the best places to eat if you enjoy Taiwanese food, the only hard part will be choosing what to eat as there are so many delicious options to choose from. Gua Bao (steamed buns) are a favorite, as is bubble tea, or take a look and see where the locals are eating and get in line with them, as it’s usually a good indication that whatever is being served is a good choice for eating. If you are looking for a sit-down restaurant, there are also many to choose from near Gongguan, including the following:

• ▪ Sukiya Gongguan Restaurant: Enjoy this Japanese sit-down restaurant after exploring Gongguan no matter what the time as the restaurant is always open.
• ▪ Lan Jia Traditional Taiwanese Snack: This restaurant features traditional Taiwanese fare, including pork buns, as well as Taiwanese style burgers. If you’re hungry after visiting Gongguan or just want a place where you can sit and eat, this restaurant is delicious and affordable.
• ▪ Emei Szechuan Restaurant: This restaurant is great if you want to try Szechuan-style food in the Gongguan area. Try the chicken Kung Pao or order a few dishes and sample from them all.

Bars, Lounges, & Nightlife Near the Gongguan Night Market

The Gongguan Night Market is located very close to lots of great bars and nightlife options, while also being a nightlife option itself. If you find yourself craving an alcoholic beverage after your evening at the market, there are many options in the area to choose from, including the following:

• James Joyce Irish Bar: Irish expats rejoice and enjoy this little piece of Ireland right in Taipei. Located near the Gongguan Station of the metro, pop in and have a Guinness (on tap) while you enjoy this Irish-owned and operated bar.
• ZOO Bar & Bistro: If you are looking for a relaxed atmosphere where you and your friends can grab a drink and some good food, then ZOO Bar & Bistro is a great choice, located just a few blocks away from the Taipower Building MRT Station.

Transportation Options at the Gongguan Night Market

The Gongguan Night Market is situated right beside the Gongguan Station of the Taipei Metro, which makes it both easy to travel to and from. If you are visiting the area, the Taipei Metro is a wonderful option for tourists as it can take you around Taipei with ease and it is also an inexpensive way to travel in the area. If you are staying for a few days, you can purchase metro tickets for multiple day usage or, if you prefer, you can also purchase tickets for single trips.

If you are looking for other transportation options, Taipei also has local and long-distance bus services that are available and the cost for a ride on the bus is very inexpensive and starts from NT $15 ($0.15 USD). Taxi service is also available in the city, however, it is going to be more expensive than public transit. Most taxi rides charge a flat fee up front and costs increase depending on the length of your journey. Some taxi rides will cost about NT $70 ($2.25 USD) up front for the first 0.8 miles, plus an additional NT $5 ($0.15 USD) for every 237 yards after that. Taxis can also vary in fees depending on the area of the city you are visiting, so be sure to confirm the rates before you travel.

Taiwan also has great options for travel by train and Taipei has multiple rail lines running through the city. If you are looking to travel around the country, then you may wish to take the Taiwan High-Speed Rail trains as they are generally used for rapid transit between longer distances, while the regional Taiwan Rail line is often used for shorter distances or local trips. Tickets for these trains will depend on the class you choose as well as the distance you are traveling but start at about NT $155 ($5 USD).

Some people may find that they are unsure of which transportation method would be best for them, so be sure to make use of your hotel’s concierge or guest services, as they should be able to help you determine which mode of transportation would be best to get you to and from your destination.

Check In to a hotel or apartment near National Taiwan University

Li Yuan Hotel

May Rooms Taipei NTU

S&J Oxygen Taipei NTU Gongguan international Service Apartment

Step Out to Gongguan Night Market