I live in an area where I realize I’m much better off not spending my days or evenings …
So, where in more central Taipei is a cheap or free place just to relax indoors and read a book or play on my computer?
On Chang An west Rd near the corner of Chang An west Rd and Zhong Shan north road is a public library above the local market.
If you’re near Shita, try Jamaica – a small cafe off Longchuan St. It’s teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, or was the last time I was there (last November). I’ve been going there for 20 years. You can (hopefully can, not “could”) sit there all day for an NT$35 tea purchase. It’s not particularly high-end but it grows on you.
Yeah, that’s cheap! I’ll check it out.
Looks like they’ve moved to the NTU campus and close at 18:00: fss.blog.ntu.edu.tw/dining/drunk … aica-cafe/
I often go to Gongguan area. There are some relatively cheap places. In Wenzhou Street
For instance, there’s a number of coffee shops (not really cheap, but you can sit for a long time and you there’s internet access). Inside Eslite Bookstore of Xinsheng South Road you’ll find Lattea. Usually there are many free seats and free internet access, although the music is a little loud (but you can ask the waitresses to lower it). Otherwise you can go to the NTU library. Another alternative are very small second-hand bookstores around Gongguan Station (but I don’t how to explain where they are).
Taipei city libraries. I like the main branch across from Da An Forest park in central Taipei. There is wireless access. The 8th floor is the AV room where you can borrow DVDs and watch them on your computer or on their equipment. B2 is the international children’s literature library. Don’t let the title Children fool you. There are many English classics in the collection. 2nd floor has American newspapers and periodicals. Ground floor has computer and printing services. Take in your passport or ARC and you can apply for a library card. It is not crowded during the day, but very crowded on weekends and evenings in the weeks leading up to big school exams. The view overlooking Da An park is quite good. I also like the Min Sheng branch library. There is a decent English book selection. But no magazines. You can go to the Taipei library web site and get a comprehensive list of all the city branches. Carry an ethernet cable. Some branch libraries internet access is wired. Just plug and go.
Taipei Fine Arts museum. Zhongshan North road close to the soccer stadium. They have recently leased their cafeteria to an Italian Rest., so that’s not good, as the cafeteria space was previously quite spacious and free, but there is still lots of seating elsewhere, lots of open space, and a newly renovated library. They used to have a small outdoor coffee shop in one of the indoor courtyards. The outdoor seating is nice at this time of the year.
Chiang Kai Shek memorial. There are big comfy armchairs and sofas in the lobby areas of the concert halls.
Sun Yat Sen Memorial.
The little coffee shop at 2-28 park not far from the playground equipment. There is indoor and outdoor seating. Beautiful to sit outside this time of the year. It’s just a one minute walk from the TaiDa hospital MRT station.
Museum of Contemporary Art on Chang An west road, just a few blocks north of main station. It was an elementary school during the Japanese colonial period, then was Taipei city hall. Haven’t been there in a few years, but it’s a nice little museum. Can’t remember about seating and such.
All the major hotels with big lobbies. Once a week choose a different hotel. Dress nicely, take in your laptop, sit on a sofa and work away. Nobody will bother you. If they do, say you are meeting someone. Pretend to take phone calls.
Municipal service centers. They house the requisite neighborhood municipal offices. Some also house libraries or public reading rooms. The Min Sheng branch library is housed in such a building. The small community service center near my house has a large open activity room on the ground floor and a second floor newspaper reading room and study hall with free ethernet Internet access. Just plug and go. No password required. It’s a good idea to always carry a short ethernet cable along with your computer.
The laborer service center in Xinchuang, New Taipei city. It is in the industrial park. Table tennis, billiards, foosball, treadmills, and stationary bicycles are available to the public free of charge. By car, it’s a really fast 15 minute drive on the expressway from Taipei railway station. No stop lights! However, it’s a long way out if you are taking the bus or riding a scooter.
Looks like they’ve moved to the NTU campus and close at 18:00: fss.blog.ntu.edu.tw/dining/drunk … aica-cafe/[/quote]
I may never return to Taipei.
I think any coffee shop would accept you for a long time, so long as you purchase at-least one item. If you got the free time - get into Wardriving.
I am very surprised no one has mentioned 7-11 or Family Mart. I know those are not the ideal places to sit down and read a book or some peace and quiet due to the heavy traffic and the “huan yin guang lin” every other minute, but it is by far the cheapest place you get stay for unlimited hours. Not to mention most stores now have seating areas and have free Wifi. If the one closest to you doesn’t have a seating area, look across the street ^^
30NT for a cup of tea may be cheap at a local coffee shop, but think 8NT for a yakult for as many hours as you want!
Yeah!!! family mart. Three months ago the shop near my house morphed into the super convenience store with outdoor seating, window counter seating and table seating. Quiet and peaceful most of the day. Late at night the regulars come for beer or to have a smoke at the outdoor tables. So far, students don’t seem to have discovered how nice the stores are. I’m sure that will change and in the future students will pack them before exams. And for private English lessons, why pay for starbucks when you can have 7-11 or family Mart brew for much cheaper. Plus 7-11 has free wi fi. And b/w and color laser printing.
Any good recommendations in Taichung city?