It’s unusual to see so much Christmas décor and activity in a place where only 4–6% of the population is Christian. It reinforces my sense that ‘Christmas’ has become more of a cultural celebration than a religious one. People everywhere love decorations and festivals — and the season shines brightly no matter where you are.
Christmasland in New Taipei City is Taiwan’s biggest, brightest, and most extravagant holiday celebration — a full-on Christmas theme park filled with lights, music, projections, markets, and family-friendly attractions. It’s not just a display; it’s an experience that draws millions every year. We visited for a couple of hours in the afternoon, so we missed the nighttime light extravaganza, but judging by the crowds, I can only imagine how packed it must get after dark.
The German Christmas Market at Christmasland was a delightful surprise — wooden stalls strung with lights, the scent of sausages and mulled wine drifting through the air, and festive music echoing across the plaza. It felt like a little slice of Europe tucked into New Taipei City, complete with handcrafted ornaments, holiday treats, and plenty of cheerful bustle. A perfect way to ease into the season.
Among the market fare, there was a lot of German sausages & bratwurst, pork knuckle, fresh bread & pretzels, stollen (traditional Christmas bread), mulled wine (Glühwein), German beer, plus other European bits like crepes, mini Dutch pancakes, etc.
We discovered that Cotton Candy is an art form here. We watched a vendor pour in different colors of sugar and create different pieces of fluff that he assembled into various characters. It was obvious that he took his skill seriously and was very good at it.
These oversized, character-shaped cotton candy creations were a hit with kids and adults alike. We ended up standing there for a good 10–15 minutes just watching the vendor spin these whimsical masterpieces.
Enough city life … time to chill. Our next stop was to get a head spa which is 100 minutes of pure bliss from start to finish. Warm water, aromatic shampoo, and slow, rhythmic pressure melted every bit of tension from our scalp, neck, and shoulders. With steam drifting around us and a luxurious conditioning treatment to finish, it felt like a tiny oasis of calm tucked inside the city.
The concept of the modern head spa began in Japan in the early 2000s. Japan already had a strong tradition of meticulous beauty rituals, scalp health awareness and shiatsu-style massage. By the late 2000s, “head spas” had become a standard premium offering in Japanese salons.
Head spas reached the U.S. in the late 2010s, but became much more noticeable around 2020–2022, especially as Japanese salons opened branches in major cities. TikTok and Instagram popularized ASMR-style scalp treatments and Americans embraced wellness and self-care culture post-pandemic.
Big cities like Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle were the first to offer true Japanese-style head spas, and the trend is still growing rapidly.
Daisy and Irene were our technicians. We asked if they accepted tips. They said, no, Taiwan is not a tipping culture.
Sun was setting and we headed over to the Shilin Night Market which is Taipei’s most famous and largest night market, a lively maze of food stalls, shops, games, and nonstop energy.
This night market was incredibly crowded and a bit overwhelming — like the State Fair on a hot record-setting day but on serious steroids. Bright lights, sizzling grills, lines of people, music, cheerful chaos and the smell of something delicious every few steps.
It’s packed on weekends, lively every night, and an absolute must if you want to feel the pulse of Taipei street life.
Foot long French fries!! It left me wondering what those potatoes looked like.
Another day immersed in Taipei’s culture, savoring every moment. Stay tuned… tomorrow we’re heading to a peaceful mountain village — far enough from the city to feel like an escape, yet close enough for an easy half-day adventure. Our destination: Houtong, a sleepy hillside town where history lingers and cats rule the streets.
呢度係貓嘅天下
Jane in Spain 