Spiriting-Away: The Red House

Built in 1908 during the Japanese rule of the island in Ximending area at Taipei's Wanhua District, this western-style red-brick structure was originally built as a market building that housed goods sold to the wealthy public.

After the defeat of the Empire of Japan in World War II, the island nation was placed under control of the Republic of China (ROC). As huge numbers of Mainland Chinese immigrants flocked into Taiwan to settle, they began to yearn for the Beijing Opera, stage plays and different dramas that they once enjoyed. Thus, in 1945 the building was transformed into a theater for the general public to enjoy.

As soon as you walk out of Exit 1 from Taipei Metro's Ximen Station, you'll see the big red structure north-west from the exit. With all the tall buildings, bright lights and billboards in the area, the old-style building seem out of place in this busy shopping district of Taipei.

But in recent years, the building's lower area, aptly called the Central Display Area, has been transformed into a mini-museum showcasing the area's rich history through its artifacts and pictures.

At the sides of the octagon-shaped ground floor lies the staircase leading to the upper floor. I took this shot while going down the staircase.

The upper floor is a reminiscent of the past theater that once thrived. It still runs weekly and monthly shows and music performance but sadly there was none tonight.

Adjacent to the Central Display Area houses the Red House's boutique/souvenir shop and tea shop. I visited the place late into the night and as expected they were already closed for the night. Same as the stalls and booths of shops located at the back of the main building, they were already closed too.

I'll make a visit again the next time I'm around the area.

As midnight approaches, it's time to head out across the street and into Ximending.

Map:

Information:

Telephone Number

Tel: +886-2-2311-9380

Address: NO.10,Chengdu Rd.,Wanhua District,Taipei City 108,Taiwan,R.O.C.

Operating Days: Sunday, Tuesday Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Closed during Mondays.

Operating Hours: Sun-Thurs 11:00AM to 9:30PM, Fri-Sat 11:00AM to 10:00PM

Website: www.redhouse.org.tw

Email: service@redhouse.org.tw

Transportation:

MRT: 1-min walking distance after taking the Bannan Line (blue) MRT-Ximen Station No. 1 Exit.

Bus: Sanchung-bus (Wugu-Taipei, Jhonggang-Beimen, Huilong-Taipei) #3、blue #2、#9、#12、#18、#25、#49、#52、#201、#202、#205、#206、#209、#212、#218、#221、#223、#231、#232、#233、#234、#235、#253、#257、#513、#624、#621、#640.

Parking: Jhongshan Underground Parking (No. 1, No. 98, Yanping S. Rd., Taipei City), Ermei Parking Tower (No. 83, Ermei St., Taipei City), Taipei STD Center Underground Parking (No. 100, Kuenming St., Taipei City), Cruciform Parking (B2~B3, No. 36, Xining S. Rd., Taipei City), Luoyang Parking Tower (No. 1, Section 1, Huanhe S. Rd., Taipei City)

Misc: