Top 10 Must-Visit Night Markets in China

One of the most famous night markets in Taiwan is the Hua Yuan Night Market in Tainan. This market is the most popular in the southern part of the country. A unique local specialty here is the 'coffin bread,' a delicious dish with a shape resembling a coffin, though it’s actually a savory bread filled with noodles and topped with a creamy corn sauce. Don’t let the name scare you—it’s quite a tasty treat! Besides this specialty, there are many other delicious options, such as spiced pig’s blood, pickled guava, or the famous bubble tea. The Hua Yuan Night Market also attracts many young people because it offers numerous game booths, pinball machines, and photo spots with friends, making it a perfect place to relax after indulging in great food.

The Hua Yuan Night Market in Tainan is not only the largest night market in southern Taiwan but also one of the top tourist attractions visitors from all over the world should visit. The street food here is renowned for its unique flavors, ranging from traditional favorites to modern and creative culinary delights. Once you step into the market, you’ll forget about the usual shopping experience. What makes this night market even more special is that on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, it transforms into a vibrant flower market, offering a wide variety of flowers, plants, and even special supplies for orchid and bonsai care.

The Fengjia Night Market is the most popular nighttime destination in Taichung, stretching deep into every corner from the main entrance to Fengjia University. The market operates every day of the week, from evening until midnight, and is always buzzing with energy. The delicious flavors of the food here are thanks to the skillful vendors, offering a wide variety of amazing dishes such as stinky tofu and spicy duck heads. Taichung has long been a stop for travelers heading to and from the north and south of Taiwan, as well as a place for those craving freshly cooked food late at night. The food here is truly fantastic, with dishes like octopus meatballs, baked potato wraps, sticky rice sausages, crepes, fried oyster chicken, taro soup balls, and towering ice cream cones, all making the night even more enticing. Originally a small market around Fengjia University, the market has grown immensely in popularity, especially since the nearby highway and Taichung Airport have been upgraded. Today, it draws hundreds of millions of visitors each year, generating billions of dollars in revenue.

Once you've filled your stomach, you can enjoy the entertainment by playing video games or shopping for clothes and shoes. The products sold here have a more mature appeal compared to the nearby Yichung Street, which caters mainly to students. You'll also find plenty of small shopping malls throughout the night market, perfect for satisfying your shopping cravings. Along with Miaokou Night Market in Keelung, Fengjia Night Market ranks as one of the top markets in Taiwan, as confirmed by a tourism competition organized by Taiwan's Tourism Bureau. In November 2015, the market was awarded for its excellent management, enthusiasm for welcoming visitors, and eco-friendly initiatives.

If you're flying to Kaohsiung for a fun vacation in Taiwan, the Liuhe Night Market is a must-visit stop. This vibrant market offers a wide variety of food, from Taiwanese delicacies to Chinese cuisine. Visitors flock here not just to enjoy the atmosphere but also to sample famous dishes and shop till they drop. The first thing you'll notice when you step into Liuhe Night Market is the crowded, car-free streets, creating a lively but peaceful ambiance. The market is clean and spacious, with food stalls serving popular treats like stir-fried seafood, stinky tofu, fried pork, omelets, and fresh fruits. But the real standout dish here is the famous black caviar eggs, a pricey and unique Taiwanese delicacy, along with the renowned Zha Bing.

With a history dating back to the 1940s and a prime location in the heart of Kaohsiung, the market gained widespread fame only in the late 1980s. As Taiwan’s oldest night market, Liuhe has become a beloved tradition. If you pass by during the day, you might miss it, as the area is quite quiet. But once the sun sets, the market comes to life, with vendors setting up their stalls. Despite being a busy shopping area, the streets remain wide, open, and impeccably clean. There are no cars in sight—just crowds of people weaving through the bustling food stalls, each emitting mouthwatering aromas.

Located in the Songshan District of Taipei, Taiwan, the Raohe Night Market is one of the oldest and most famous night markets in the city. Stretching about 600 meters along Raohe Street, this market features more than 140 street food stalls and over 400 shops. The most famous snacks here include stinky tofu, fried ribs, herbal stewed ribs, crispy sesame cakes, and clam soup. You can also explore a variety of international dishes. Beyond food, the market offers an array of shopping options, from clothes and mobile phones to everyday items. The market’s mascot, a cute owl, symbolizes the lively energy and vibrancy of the night.

On weekends and holidays, Raohe Night Market is bustling with both locals and tourists. It’s a popular spot for the people of Taipei to unwind and enjoy local food, as well as shop for fashion items. Haggling for your favorite purchase adds a fun experience to shopping here. The market is especially well-known for its local snacks, including vegetarian pork, beef soup, herbal stews, bubble tea, and more. You can even try exotic dishes such as Aladdin’s Indian fare and Pakistani cuisine at the Raohe Night Market.

Located near National Taiwan University and the Gongguan MRT station, Gongguan Night Market attracts many visitors, particularly students, thanks to its prime location, diverse shops, entertainment options, and snack offerings. This market is home to a movie theater, bookstores, cafes, international restaurants, clothing stores, sports shops, and more. Since most visitors are students, prices for both products and food are relatively affordable. Some of the most popular dishes here include oyster noodles, pig's blood cake, bubble tea, and spring rolls. The stalls serving these items are often busy, with long lines of people waiting to order.

To get to Gongguan Night Market, take the green MRT line from Chang Kai Shek Memorial Hall station and travel for about four stops to reach Gongguan Station. Exit through Gate 4, walk straight, and then turn left to find two of the most famous street food stalls in Taipei: Lan Jia Guo Bao and Chen Tam Ding’s black sugar milk. Although you may have to wait in line for about 10 minutes, the food is well worth it. A cup of black sugar milk, called qing gua nai, costs 40 TWD, and it’s delicious. The milk is creamy without being too rich, the black sugar is just sweet enough, and the chewy tapioca pearls make it a treat worth savoring. Across from Chen Tam Ding is Lan Jia Guo Bao, which sells steamed buns for 60 TWD each. You can choose between lean or fatty pork filling. After about 10 minutes of waiting, you’ll be ready to enjoy these tasty buns. The Gongguan Night Market itself is quite small, mostly frequented by locals, with reasonable prices. A full walk through the market takes around 20 minutes.

Huaxi Night Market, located near Longshan Temple, is the first-ever night market for tourists in Taiwan. It’s well known for its exotic seafood dishes and snake-based specialties. The entrance to the market is adorned in traditional Chinese style, with bright red lanterns creating a captivating and memorable entrance for visitors. The most popular dishes here include Dan-su noodles, squid soup, and pork soup, alongside many other local delicacies. The highlight of this market is its snake-based dishes. According to locals, snake meat is highly nutritious. Here, snakes are prepared in various ways, including soups, medicinal dishes, and even wine. If you're up for something new and daring, Huaxi Night Market is the place to try these unique delicacies.

For those who are not afraid of snakes, the live preparation process is quite a spectacle. First, the snakes are lured with music, then captured and cooked according to the customer's request. Snake blood wine, snake bile wine, and snake soup are the most requested items by customers. However, the market also caters to those with weaker stomachs, offering a variety of delicious snacks and treats that will surely satisfy any craving. Tourists can easily find Huaxi Night Market thanks to its distinct Chinese-style gateway and the sparkling lanterns that light up the street, making it recognizable from afar.

Miếu Khẩu Night Market is located in Keelung, Taiwan's second-largest port city, after Kaohsiung. Known for its exceptional seafood, this night market offers an impressive variety of fresh seafood, all of which are cooked right on the spot. Some of the must-try specialties include eel soup, scallop balls, and rare treats like smoked whale shark and smoked dolphin.

Each night market in Taiwan has its own unique character, offering tourists a range of experiences. If you're looking for delicious seafood, Miếu Khẩu Night Market in Keelung is the place to go. The food here is sure to satisfy even the most discerning taste buds. The market is located near the famous Dianji Temple, and the name 'Miếu Khẩu' translates to 'Temple Entrance,' a nod to its origin. Originally, small stalls were set up by locals near the temple, taking advantage of the light from the lanterns outside the temple. Over time, this led to the creation of a bustling night market, where vendors still use lanterns to decorate their stalls today.

At night, the lanterns light up the market, creating a unique atmosphere that adds to the appeal of Miếu Khẩu Night Market. In addition to seafood, the market offers a wide range of products, including clothing, footwear, and souvenirs at affordable prices. You'll find items from various countries, and if you're looking for something unique, just take a little time to hunt for it!

The first one to mention is the Shenyang Night Market in Liaoning Province, China, the largest night market in Asia, stretching nearly 2 kilometers. This vibrant market is full of energy and life, with a dazzling display of lights and the enticing aroma of food filling the air, drawing visitors from all over. Here, you can find both hot and cold food, household goods, clothing, and everything from traditional Chinese dishes to meat-stuffed buns. Shenyang Night Market generates more than $30 million in annual revenue and is considered one of the top night markets in Asia. If you're ever in China, make sure to visit this lively market to sample amazing food and experience its buzzing atmosphere.

At night, the market is not only filled with affordable goods but also numerous food stalls offering both hot and cold dishes. You can try many unique treats here, but perhaps the most popular choice is the meat-stuffed bun, which suits many visitors' tastes. The market is also well-known for its wide range of affordable goods, including food, drinks, household items, and fashion-forward clothing in a variety of styles. As night falls, the market becomes a lively hub in the city, with vendors calling out to customers, the flicker of lantern lights creating a truly captivating atmosphere.

Visitors to the Kaifeng Night Market are not only drawn by its rich and diverse cuisine but also by the historic charm and traditional flavors that define the area. This market, with its long history, showcases a variety of stalls offering popular Chinese specialties like five-spice bread, steamed buns, and more. The food stalls here are numerous and appealing, allowing guests to explore and select from a wide array of delicious options. As night falls, the market becomes even more bustling, and if you're lucky, you may find a comfortable spot to sit and enjoy your meal, or you can stroll through the market while snacking along the way!

In Kaifeng, as evening sets in, the streets transform into a vibrant night market, with hundreds of food stalls serving dishes to locals from surrounding cities and visitors alike. Seafood such as shrimp, crab, and snails are readily available and often pre-cooked. Many tourists choose to sit down and savor the local delicacies, while others prefer to grab something to-go and continue exploring the market. The best culinary experience in Kaifeng is to stroll through the ancient Lòu Market and sample treats from over 100 different stalls. This historic site is a true testament to the culture of Kaifeng, offering a buffet-like experience with an overwhelming variety of food, from appetizers and seafood to snacks and even daring dishes like grilled scorpions!

When talking about night markets, one must mention Taiwan, and the largest night market in Taiwan is Shihlin Night Market. Established in the late 19th century, the market began when Japanese immigrants set up small tile-roofed houses to sell daily provisions like meat, fish, and vegetables. After World War II, the market quickly grew, and today it is one of the most popular spots in Taipei. The market is divided into two main areas: food and goods. You can take a break from your busy day and indulge in the flavors of over 500 food stalls, offering dishes like Chinese herb-braised ribs, sticky rice-wrapped sausages, scallion pancakes, or the infamous stinky tofu. If you're not in the mood for food, you can shop for clothes, shoes, toys, electronics, and more—all at very reasonable prices.

Shihlin Night Market has become the largest and most famous night market in Taiwan, especially known for its food. It has become a central hub for both locals and tourists to enjoy Taipei's nightlife. The market is divided into two sections: food and goods. Stalls around the Yangming Theatre and the Tusheng Temple on Tainan Road offer a variety of products. Visitors can find affordable clothing, hats, shoes, jewelry, children's toys, discounted electronics, and even kitchen appliances. You can also enjoy traditional massages, sing karaoke, or play video games in the arcade. What was once the old Shihlin Market has now evolved into a bustling food court, renowned for its unique Taiwanese dishes that can only be found here, with over 500 food stalls!