What's more genuine than a nice market place? In Taipei there are many markets, with the night markets, normally open 6.00 pm – 11.00 pm, being the most popular among the Taiwanese.

Antique Market, corner Xinsheng North Rd. / Civic Blvd., open 10.30 am – 5.00 pm Tuesday – Friday, is an outdoor market along the street with small tables set up, no names or identifications of the vendors. Looking for small pieces of jade, jewelry or decoration? Next to Xinsheng North Rd., # 3 (Owner name Ms. Zhang Xiu-Yi 張綉誼) has been working with jade for 25 years and is trustworthy. She makes small jewelries, does repairs and fitting of loose stones, but she does not speak English. Negotiate the price. During the weekends you can find her at # 463 in the Weekend Market, also called Jade and Flower Market, open 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Here, shoppers can find jade items, semi-precious stones and crystals as well as traditional handicrafts. Quality varies considerably and prices are subject to the bargainer's skill. Meanwhile, the flower market is the place to go for freshly cut flowers and potted plants, including full-sized trees! Many Taipei residents come just to take a stroll through the flower-bedecked stands. July 3rd, all the vendors will have new booths, e.g. Ms. Zhang Xiu-Yi (張綉誼) will move to # 71.

Guang Hua Digital Plaza, Jinshan North Rd. # 77, corner Civic Blvd. / BaDe Rd. open 9.00 am – 10.00 pm daily, is a new 7-storey building filled with computer equipment and other electronic gadgets. Also to be found are branded sportswear, DVDs, mobile phones and much more. Prices are reasonable but you may bargain. English is rarely spoken and care must be taken as systems may not be compatible globally. For the camera gear check out "Camera Street", Han Kou St. Sec. 1, near Taipei Main Station.

A "heaven" for gift shopping is the Taiwan Handicraft Promotion Center, Hsu Chou Rd. corner of Zhong Shan S Rd., a government-sponsored store that offers a wide selection of Chinese handicrafts. Open 9.00 am – 5.30 pm daily. English is well spoken.

A "newcomer" among the market places is Tianmu Market, intersection Tianmu East Rd. / Tianmu West Rd., open Friday 4.00 pm – 10.00 pm, Saturday 9.00 am – 10.00 and Sunday 3.00 pm – 9.00 pm. Taipei's answer to "Portobello Market".