The district is also one of the shopping areas in Taipei, anchored by a number of department stores and malls.

The village was named after Matsuyama City in Japan and formed part of Shichisei District, Taihoku Prefecture.

Development of the area in the 1990s transformed Xinyi into a modern shopping district which by 2010 boasted the highest property values in Taiwan.

Visitors can visit the 89th floor observatory by means of the world's second fastest elevator (63 km/h or 37.5 mph).

The plaza outside city hall, Citizen's Square (市民廣場), is often used as a concert venue including the annual New Year's celebrations.

Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, a high-end Japanese department store, operates four buildings in the district.

This historic memorial of victims of the "White Terror" is located on a hillside overlooking the present Taipei 101 shopping district.

Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, Vieshow Cinemas, ATT 4 Fun, and Taipei 101 Mall are interconnected by an elevated walkway.