Taipei City Government

Mayor Ko Wen-je attended the opening ceremony for the 2016 Taipei Traditional Market Festival at the Expo Park on May 15. He hopes that the city government can help improve market quality and organize promotion campaigns to introduce more people to the wonderful characteristics of traditional markets.

During his address, Ko noted that the best place to learn about Taipei’s lifestyle is to stop by the traditional markets. Visiting traditional markets is a part of citizens' daily life, and most people are familiar with the sights and sounds of these places.

The primary reason for the city government to hold the Traditional Market Festival is not only to promote the various delicacies, but also explore possible ways to ‘upgrade’ these markets.

According to past surveys targeting foreigners conducted by the Department of Information and Tourism, most visitors list night market snacks among their top three impressions of Taipei. The results seem to indicate that Taiwan’s delicious snacks have become a major attraction for foreign tourists. Therefore, Ko believes that these should be further improved – in terms of cleanliness, hygiene, and more. The core concept should be advancing from “eating to the full” to “eating well.”

Market Administration Office Director Sheu Shyuan-mou noted that each year the Traditional Market Festival spotlights a different theme. This year emphasizes the market ‘craftsmen,’ hoping to overturn the stereotype of traditional markets in the eyes of the public.

For more information, please visit the Chinese activity website: www.festival.market.taipei