Songshan Cultural and Creative Park is a former tobacco factory that was reclaimed and restored in 2011 with the intention of becoming the Creative Hub of Taiwan. It has spectacular gardens and the main building has been renovated in a very special way. In the outer halls there are itinerant exhibits that change throughout the year (it is worth taking a look for if there is something interesting), but these are the best things to do in Songshan Cultural and Creative Park throughout the year:
- Stroll by the pond. An oasis in the middle of the city. In the area that touches the Hidden Paradise and the Liuli Museum Cafe there are tables where you can have a picnic overlooking the pond. Here you will also find the Yue Yue Bookstore, which was the old factory nursery, and which today is a beautiful bookstore / cafeteria where you can also buy sandwiches. You will see that in the gardens there are mosquito dispensers, do not stop using them!
- Enter the Eslite Spectrum Songyan Store, go up to their fantastic bookstore and walk to the children's section. There are many books in English here and there is also an area where you can play for a while and make Lego constructions.
- Enter the main factory building and stroll through its Baroque garden. It is a wonder! Another little oasis in town.
- Not Just Library: is a small and original library located in the main building, in the place where the old factory workers' bathrooms were. It is not that it is very suitable for children, but if you can enter to take a look you will love it. Admission is NTD 80 pp.
- Taiwan Design Museum: if it's a rainy day and you can't walk outside much, then it's a great option. The exhibition is very curious and is liked by children (150 NTD per adult, children under 8 years free).
Where to eat in Songshan Cultural and Creative Park: one option is to take a picnic with you. Very close to the park entrance (coming from the City Hall MRT station) is Bo'Bagel, where they make great bagels that you can eat in the park. If you prefer to sit in a restaurant, inside the park you have Hidden Paradise where they have very good meat. And if you prefer something more informal, then opt for the sandwiches at the Yue Yue Bookstore.
How to get to Songshan Cultural and Creative Park: MRT blue line, Sun Yai-Sen Memorial Hall stops (exit 5) or Taipei City Hall stop (exit 1 or 2 if you want escalators). We recommend the last one so you enter the park through the eco-pond and then exit through the Civic Boulevard entrance.
