Taipei Weekend Flower Market
The Taipei Weekend Flower market is located under an elevated freeway on Jianguo Lu section 1. It's normally parking during the week, and during the weekend the space is converted into various markets where vendors can sell things out of the oppressive sun/rain that makes being outdoors a challenge here in Taiwan. On the north end there is a Jade Market, then the Flower Market, followed by the Gallery Market (where you can buy "art"). I was pressed for time so will have to explore the other markets another weekend. There are 2 stops that are pretty close by, Blue line Zhongxiao Xinsheng Exit 4 puts you out on Zhongxiao East Lu. Continue east on Zhongxiao Lu & turn right onto Jianguo Lu. Keep walking, you should see the Jade Market under the freeway. It's pretty crowded with people buying jewelry, but it looked like a lot of fun (I'm definitely going back to check it out). A few blocks south, the Flower market starts. From the Brown Muza line, take the Da'an Park stop (not sure what exit sorry) and walk west on XinYi Lu till you see the south end of the flower market. Note: all the green bits you see in this shot are brought in for the flower market. Normally this space is just bare concrete.
You can buy almost anything plant related. Pots of all shapes and sizes, potting mix, fertilizers and ground cover. I'm inspired to dig and hoe and scatter the good seed on the ground. To that effect I bought (of course) edible plants- basil, rosemary and mint, as well as some interesting decorative plants to keep on the porch outside my window. It's really amazing how much better I feel having some plants to look out at instead of the concrete and iron bars (it's like prison). So many apartments look like mini jungles- I guess it's pretty easy to grow things with the high humidity and tropical sun.
The market was packed with people thinking about green things and gardening now that spring has arrived. You can get hi-tech hydroponic/sprinkler systems, and more orchids.
You can even get trees!
