Xinyi District

TaipeiDistrict
en-name = Xinyi
zh-name = 信義區

| image-caption = Taipei City Hall in Xinyi District
old-name = Xingya (興雅)
region = Eastern Taipei
director = Chin-Chen Chang (張金鎮)
area-rank = 8th
area-total = 11.2077
population-total = 231,015
population-rank = 6th
density = 20,612
villages = 41
neighborhoods = 911
zipcode = 110
location-

Xinyi District (zh-t|t=信義區; Tongyong Pinyin: Shìnyì Chu; Taiwanese: Sìn-gī-khu; Hanyu Pinyin: Xìnyì Qū; Jhuyin Fuhao: ㄒㄧㄣˋ ㄧˋ ㄑㄩ; Hakka: Sin-ngi-khî) is the seat of the Taipei mayor's office and the Taipei city council. The Taipei 101, Taipei City Hall, Taipei Convention Hall, Taipei World Trade Center, and various shopping malls and entertainment venues make Xinyi the most modern cosmopolitan district of Taipei. Xinyi District is also considered the financial district of Taipei. The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall is also in the district.

Most of the district used to be wetlands, explaining the abundance of space for construction projects as this was one of the last places in Taipei to be developed.

The district is arguably the premier shopping area in Taipei, if not all of Taiwan. Xinyi District is anchored by a number of department stores and malls. In addition, numerous restaurants are located in the area, especially American chain restaurants.

Xinyi literally means "honesty."

Attractions

*Taipei 101 (台北101)
At convert|509.2|m|ft|0|abbr=on tall, Taipei 101 was the world's tallest complete building. Visitors can visit the 89th floor observatory by means of the world's fastest elevator (63 km/h or 37.5 mph) in under 37 seconds. In addition, there is the Taipei 101 Mall, which features brands like D&G, Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Roots, and many more. The mall also has a Page One Bookstore on the 4th floor terrace, along with Häagen-Dazs, Barista Coffee, Dante Coffee, and a handful of fancy restaurants. There is also a Jason's Supermarket in the basement, which specializes in Western food products. Also, there is a large food court with McDonald's, KFC, and many more. Taipei 101 is located on ShiFu Rd. (市府路) and has entrances on SongZhi Rd. (松智路) and XinYi Rd. Sec. 5 (信義路五段).

*Taipei City Hall (台北市政府)
The Taipei City Hall is located on ShiFu Rd. (市府路). The plaza outside city hall, Citizens' Square (市民廣場), is often used as a concert venue. The last time Citizens' Square was used during the Taipei Pop Music Festival 2005. The event attracted artists from around the world, including SE7EN, Caesars, Jolin Tsai, Will Pan, and many more.

*Shin Kong Mitsukoshi (新光三越)
Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, a high-end Japanese department store, which operates four buildings in the district. The complex lies between SongGao Rd. (松高路), SongRen Rd. (松仁路), and SongShou Rd. (松壽路). The buildings are (in order from least floor space to most floor space): A4, which specializes in women's fashion, has, among other retail stores, a Hands Tailung store, a Häagen-Dazs, and a supermarket; A9, which houses expensive international boutiques like Gucci, Chanel, and Coach, and has a large fnac store on B2; A11, which features products for the entire family, a Mister Donut, a food court, a Starbucks, and a supermarket; and A8, which holds just about everything for anyone and a food court featuring Beard Papa, MOS Burger, McDonald's, Au Bon Pain, etc. Each building has a number of restaurants, featuring cuisines from around the world.

*Eslite Bookstore (誠品信義店)
Eslite Bookstore, Taiwan's premier bookstore, as opened their flagship store in Xinyi District in early 2006. The building is located on SongGao Rd. (松高路). Spanning over 7 floors, this bookstore is the largest one in Taiwan. The bookstore has an expansive magazine collection (especially foreign magazines), a floor dedicated to children's books, a Japanese bookstore, art bookstore, Simplified Chinese book collection, and more. There are event halls where authors address their articles or topics related to their books. This giant store doesn't only offer books, but clothing and accessories (with brands like fcuk, Lacoste, and Adidas), stationery, CDs, a Starbucks, an Apple retailer, and a food court.

*Neo19
Neo19, located on SongShou Rd. (松壽路), houses a number of restaurants and a health club. The restaurants at Neo 19 include Chili's, Romano's Macaroni Grill, Azabusabo, Mo-Mo-Paradise, Gloucester, and Watami.

*Vieshow Cinemas (威秀影城)
With 17 screens, this megaplex is a popular place in Taipei to see films from all over the world, often released on the same day as the country of origin. The complex also has a food court that includes outlets of Burger King, Häagen-Dazs, etc., Sasa, and an arcade. Vieshow Cinemas is located on SongShou Rd. (松壽路).

*New York New York (紐約紐約)
New York New York, located on the corner of SongShou Rd. (松壽路) and SongZhi Rd. (松智路), has many foreign casual brands. In addition, there is a MUJI store, a Toys R Us, along with a Starbucks, a McDonald's, an Apple authorized reseller, a Marks & Spencer, a Cold Stone Creamery, and a Mister Donut.

Access

The area is served by the MRT Bannan Line at Taipei City Hall Station. When the MRT Xinyi Line opens in 2011/2012, the line will also serve the Xinyi District at WTC Station (Taipei World Trade Center/Taipei 101). Buses to the Xinyi District area are also plentiful from all parts of Taipei. There are also plenty of arterials and freeways in the area, such as ZhongXiao E. Rd. (Sec. 4), Keelung Rd., XinYi Rd. (Sec. 2), RenAi Rd. (Sec. 3), and the Civic Blvd Expressway.

Shin Kong Mitsukoshi (all buildings), Vieshow Cinemas, New York New York, and Taipei 101 Mall are interconnected by an elevated walkway.

Education

* Taipei Municipal Boai Elementary School (台北市立博愛國民小學)
* Taipei Municipal Xingya Junior High School (台北市立興雅國民中學)
* Taipei Municipal Songshan Senior High School (台北市立松山高級中學)
* Taipei Municipal Yongchun Senior High School (台北市立永春高級中學)
* Songshan High School of Agriculture and Industry (台北市立松山高級工農職業學校)
* Taipei Medical University (台北醫學大學)

Gallery

External links

* [http://english.taipei.gov.tw/xinyi/index.jsp Xinyi District Official Website] en
* [http://www.skm.com.tw Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Official Website] zh
* [http://www.taipei-101.com.tw/en/Mall/index_mall.asp Taipei 101 Mall Official Website] en
* [http://www.vscinemas.com.tw/ Vieshow Cinemas Official Website] zh
* [http://www.eslitebooks.com/xinyi/ Eslite Xinyi Branch Official Website] zh