The photo above was taken across from Fuzhong Street, near the Confucius Temple Business District
Updated August 2023.

Historical Heart of Taiwan

Taiwan's oldest city and former Qing Dynasty capital is often referred to as the cultural capital of the island, known for its rich history, deep cultural heritage, and significant role in Taiwan’s development.

Originally established in 1662 as the capital under Koxinga’s rule after the expulsion of the Dutch, Tainan became the heart of early Taiwanese independence and resistance. Koxinga, a Ming Dynasty loyalist, created the Kingdom of Tungning here, symbolizing Taiwan's break from foreign rule and its assertion of freedom.

The name "Tainan" means "South of Taiwan," reflecting its geographic location at the southern tip of the island. It was named as such after the capital moved to Taipei in the 19th century. It is also called the "Phoenix City" because of the city's resilience and rebirth from natural disasters, foreign invaders, and political upheaval.

​Tainan’s cuisine is famously sweet. It was a former major hub for trade and agriculture, particularly for sugar production. Adding sugar into dishes isn't just for taste, but it's a historical symbol of prosperity and hospitality—offering sweeter foods was seen as a gesture of generosity. For those who are sweet-sensitive, having all savory dishes include sugar might be a little too much for you.

Overview

  • 7:00 - 8:00 AM: Luermen Tianhou Temple - Buddhist temple dedicated to Mazu, goddess of the sea
  • 8:15 - 9:30 AM: Sicao Green Tunnel - wetland tour
Anping District
  • 10:00 - 11:00 PM: Anping Tree House - abandoned salt warehouse
  • 11:15 - 12:30 PM: Anping Fort - historic fortress
  • ​12:30 - 1:30 PM: Lunch
  • 1:45 - 3:00 PM: Anping's Fisherman's Wharf - scenic waterfront
West Central District
  • 3:30 - 4:30 PM: Temples
    • Koxinga Shrine - shrine to Ming Dynasty war hero Koxinga
    • Lady Linshui Temple - temple to goddess of childbirth and women's protection
    • Tainan Confuscius Temple - historic Confucian temple
  • 4:50 - 5:15 PM: Hayashi Department Store - restored 1930s shopping center
  • 5:20 - 5:45 PM: Snail Alley - hidden street with snail icons
  • 6:00 - 7:00 PM: Temples
    • Tainan Sacrifical Rites Martial Temple - temple to the god of war
    • Tainan Grand Mazu Temple - oldest and most significant temples dedicated to Mazu
    • Chikan Tower - former Dutch outpost
  • 7:00 - 8:00 PM: Dinner
​Click the star to add the map to your Google Maps!​ To view it, simply open Google Maps, navigate to the Menu, choose “Your Places,” click "Maps", and voila, the map should be added.

Tips

Getting To/From the City
  • HSR (High-Speed Rail): 1.5 - 2 hour ride from Taipei
    • Arrives at HSR Tainan Station (35 minute drive to downtown)
  • TRA (Regular Train): 4 - 5 hour ride from Taipei. 
    • Arrives at Tainan Station, close to the city center.
Getting Around the City
The easiest way to get around the city is by walking or by taking a rideshare app, especially to Luermen Tianhou Temple and between Anping District and West Central District; however, there are a few buses, you can ride using EasyCards.

Like in other Taiwanese cities, YouBike is also plentiful and an option to get around, although bike infrastructure isn't as prevalent.
Water
Temples have free water filling stations, but it's hard to find public refill areas outside of these areas.

1-Day Plan

7:00 - 8:00 AM: Luermen Tianhou Temple
The temple is dedicated to Mazu, the goddess of the sea. Fishermen and coastal communities worship here, but it's also near the landing site where Koxinga arrived in 1661 to expel the Dutch and reclaim Taiwan for the Ming Dynasty. According to legend, Mazu guided Koxinga’s fleet safely to shore, leading to the temple’s construction in her honor. Over the centuries, it has become a major pilgrimage site and a testament to Taiwan’s rich maritime heritage.

Architecturally, the temple shows traditional southern Chinese temple designs 

It is quite popular on Mazu's birthday, the 23rd day of the third lunar month.
Take a rideshare to Sicao Green Tunnel
8:15 - 9:30 AM: Sicao Green Tunnel (NT$200)
  • Often called Taiwan’s “Little Amazon," this waterway winds through a dense mangrove forest, where the arching branches create a natural tunnel. 
  • The area was once part of a canal system used during the Dutch colonial era, adding a historical layer to its natural beauty. 
  • Raft tours last about 30 minutes and depart from the Sicao Wetlands Visitor Center. Aboard a small wooden raft, visitors can glide through the calm waters while spotting fiddler crabs, mudskippers, and a variety of birds along the way.
  • It's best visited in the morning or late afternoon to catch the sunlight filtering through the mangroves.
Take a rideshare to Anping District
Anping District
10:00 - 11:00 AM: Anping Tree House (NT$70)
  • Once a warehouse for Tait & Company during the late Qing Dynasty, it was abandoned and overtaken by massive banyan trees. Their roots have crept through the walls and roof: it's now a lliving ruin.
  • Wooden walkways and platforms let visitors explore the site up close, offering a jungle-like atmosphere that feels straight out of a movie.
  • The adjacent exhibition hall dives into Tainan’s colonial trade history and the impact of European merchants.
  • At the other end of the warehouse is a platform offering views of the northern Tainan wetlands.
  • Best visited in the late afternoon when the golden light filters through the tangled branches.
11:15 - 12:30 AM: Anping Fort (NT$70)
  • Also known as Fort Zeelandia, this fort was built between 1624 and 1634 by the Dutch East India Company as a strategic stronghold for trade and military defense.
  • Most of the original structure has deteriorated, but the red-brick walls, watchtower, and historical cannons still remain.
  • There's a museum with artifacts, maps, and exhibits on Taiwan's early colonial history and one can climb to the top for panoramic views.
12:30 - 1:30 PM: Lunch
1:45 - 3:00 PM: Anping Fisherman's Wharf
Known for its beautiful waterfront views, seafood restaurants, and relaxed atmosphere, walk along the wharf to see the following
  • Big Fish's Blessing: A large sculpture of a fish that symbolizes good luck and prosperity. 
  • Lin Mo-niang Park: A peaceful park named after the legendary Lin Mo-niang, a historical figure believed to bring good fortune to Tainan. The park has lovely gardens, walking paths, and scenic views of the coastline.
  • Navy Destroyer Deyang Ship Park (NT$100): A retired military ship, the Deyang, is now docked and open to the public as a museum. Visitors can explore the ship and learn about Taiwan's naval history.
  • Eternal Golden Castle (Chihkan Tower): A historical fort built by the Dutch during the 17th century. It is a significant historical landmark with beautiful views, museum exhibits, and a peaceful garden.
​
West Central District
3:30 - 4:45 PM: Tainan South Temples
  • Koxinga Shrine: This shrine is dedicated to the Ming Dynasty hero Koxinga and honors his contributions to Taiwan’s history and is a place of respect for locals. It offers a peaceful atmosphere and a beautiful panoramic viewpoint, where visitors can enjoy sweeping views of the city.
  • Lady Linshui Temple: Dedicated to the goddess Linshui, who is revered as the protector of women, especially during childbirth. This Taiwanese-designed temple is an important spiritual site for locals, particularly those seeking blessings for fertility, safe pregnancies, and healthy childbirths. 
  • Tainan Confucius Temple: One of Taiwan’s oldest Confucian temples, it was first built in 1665 by Koxinga's son, Cheng Jing, as a school, becoming "Taiwan's First Institute of Learning". The Minnan (South China) courtyard style has the school on the left and the temple on the right.
4:50 - 5:15 PM: Hayashi Department Store
  • Originally built in 1932 during the Japanese colonial era, it combines Western-style architecture with Japanese influences.
  • Formerly a thriving commercial hub, catering to wealthy customers, today, it's a cultural and shopping destination.
  • Head to the rooftop (by elevator) to see fun bao-shaped seats, a shrine, and panoramic views.
5:20 - 5:45 PM: Snail Alley


​Narrow, winding lanes filled with vibrant stalls selling a variety of snacks, most notably the local delicacy of snail soup, small snails simmered in a broth of spices, herbs, and vegetables.

Locals have embraced snails with a marker map of where snails are located along the block. One can see them in multiple forms from artwork and statues to doorknobs.

There are even snail restaurants like L'Escargot!
6:00 - 7:00 PM: Chikan Tower and Temples
  • Tainan Sacrificial Rites Martial Temple: A temple honoring the god of war, known for its intricate wood carvings.
  • Tainan Grand Mazu Temple: One of the oldest and most significant temples dedicated to Mazu.
  • Chikan Tower (NT$70): A former Dutch outpost, now a historic site with gardens and ancient artifacts. It is the oldest building in the West Central District and continues to go through repairs and refurbishments
7:00 - 8:00 PM: Dinner

Nightlife

  • Wusheng Night Market (武聖夜市) (5 - 11 PM)
    • Affordable and authentic Taiwanese street food. Great place to try fried shrimp rolls, oyster vermicelli, papaya milk, and deep-fried tofu. 
  • Tainan Garden Night Market (台南花園夜市)
    • Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays (5 PM - 12 AM)
    • Expansive market with classic Taiwanese street foods, but also lots of desserts. It's known for the game booths and colorful stalls selling everything from clothes to quirky gadgets.



Shennong Street
  • One of the oldest streets in Tainan with buildings dating back to the Qing Dynasty
  • Home to artisan shops, boutiques, and galleries with handmade wares
  • Sometimes there is a small night market
  • The lighting and scenes provide great photo opportunities.
Bars
  • GOIN: Laid-back trendy bar that has unique cocktails served in unqiue ways.
  • 宅·J House Coffee Bar & Jazz（爵士酒吧、咖啡): Cozy bar serving coffee in the day and cocktails with live jazz at night.
  • Moonrock: Classy cocktail bar with fun flavors in a chic atmosphere.
  • Bar TCRC: Trendy, stylish bar with an intimate ambiance and high-quality cocktails.
  • Chikan Pharmacy Bar: Pharmacy-themed interior with specialty cocktails.

Museums

  • Taiwan Salt Museum: Dedicated to Taiwan's salt industry, featuring interactive exhibits on the historical salt-making process with friendly staff and plenty of products to purchase.
  • Tainan Art Gallery: Contemporary fine arts museum showcasing both local and international artists through rotating exhibitions.
  • Ten Drum Cultural Village: Cultural complex in a former factory where visitors can enjoy high-energy drum performances and participate in interactive drumming workshops.
  • Chimei Museum: European-style museum in Tainan housing a vast collection of Western art, musical instruments, and natural history exhibits, renowned for its stunning architecture.

Other Activities

  • Tainan Wu Garden: Historical garden with traditional Chinese landscaping and architecture and a large pond with koi fish.
  • Tainan Park: Public park with walkways, lakes, and greenery in the city center.
  • The Spring (河樂廣場): Former underground shopping mall turned into a water park.
  • Sunset Platform: Offers breathtaking views of the sunset over the city and the ocean.​
  • Immortal Pine Foot Bath (不老松足湯台南府前行館): Wellness center/spa specializing in traditional foot baths but also full-body massages.
  • Jade Store (洪福堂翡翠玉石專營店): One of the best jade jewelry stores in Tainan with a friendly storekeeper.

Restaurants

For all beef noodle soup areas, make sure to order both the soup and the braised beef rice to try both. Every place has their browth made in a different way.
ANPING DISTRICT
Beef Noodle Soup:
  • A-Cai Beef Soup (阿財牛肉湯)
  • Two Cows Beef Soup (二牛牛肉湯)
  • Hu Xu Chong Beef Soup (胡鬚忠牛肉湯)
​
Treats:
  • Lin Yi Feng Winter Melon Tea (林義豐冬瓜茶): Refreshing sweet and cool winter melon tea. This store has been around for a long time.
  • Tong Ji Anping Tofu Pudding (同記安平豆花): Variety of sweet tofu desserts with warm and cold options. Have a location in West Central District too.
  • Wang's Fish Skin (王氏魚皮): Savory fish skin snacks with plenty of dipping sauces.

WEST CENTRAL DISTRICT:
Bakery/Cafe:
  • Tainan Puji Bakery: Renowned bakery known for its sweet milk bread. Make sure to get there at 2 PM to order.
  • Leng Tih Tong: Try their historic baked egg biscuit or their miso flavor.
  • 火星 Cafe Mars & Puppet Works: Cafe and gallery with puppet-themed decorations and displays.
Porridge/Congee:
  • A Hsing Congee (阿星鹹粥)
  • Stone Mortar Seafood Porridge (石舂臼海產粥)
  • Guanjin Seafood Porridge (冠津海鮮粥)
Tainan Specialties
  • Ding Fu Fa (鼎富發豬油拌飯):  Notable for their pork lard rice and fried sausage.
  • Du Hsiao Yueh Restaurant Tainan Chung Cheng Flagship Store (度小月 台南中正旗艦店): Nice sit-down restaurant known for its Dan Zai noodles, a Tainan specialty featuring noodles topped with minced pork, shrimp, and a rich broth.
  • Tainan Old Store Rice Dumplings (台南老店肉粽 菜粽): Specializes in rice dumplings (zongzi), a traditional dish made of glutinous rice wrapped in leaves and filled with savory ingredients like pork or vegetables.
  • Ah Feng Floating Milkfish Soup (阿鳳浮水虱目魚羹): Milkfish soup in a rich broth.
  • A-Jiang Eel Noodles (阿江鱔魚意麵): Serving boneless eel over rice or noodles.
  • Fu Sheng Small Snack Eel Noodles (福昇小食鱔魚意麵): Another restaurant serving eel noodles in a savory broth.
  • A Ming Zhu Xing (阿明豬心冬粉): Pork-based restaurant focused on thinly sliced pig heart. Try their pig heart noodles and garlic pig knuckles.
  • Good Place Shrimp and Shreeded Pork Rice (好地方蝦仁肉絲飯): As the name suggests, it's known for its shrimp and shredded pork rice.
  • Ye Family Small Squid Vermicelli (葉家小卷米粉): Squid vermicelli mixing squid with rice noodles in a flavorful broth.
Beef Noodle Soup:
  • Liang Ji Zheng Old Store Beef Soup (樑記正老店牛肉湯)
  • Six Thousand Beef Soup (六千泓佐土產牛肉)
  • Wu Mama Beef Noodle Restaurant (吳媽媽牛肉麵)
  • Hu Xu Chong Beef Soup (鬍鬚忠牛肉湯)
  • You Ai Beef Soup (友愛牛肉湯)
Other Restaurants:
  • Daimaru Home (大丸家): Comfort Taiwanese dishes with a few fusion options.
  • Jin De Spring Rolls (金得春捲): Taiwanese-style spring rolls filled with pork, shrimp, and vegetables.
  • Huachu (花出（公休請看粉絲專頁)): Trendy restaurant with creative dishes like a strawberry baked dumpling cake or a matcha strawberry dumpling.
Desserts
  • Xiu'an Douhua (修安扁擔豆花 ): One of the best sweet tofu pudding dessert locations in Tainan.
  • A Mei Mung Bean Dessert Soup (永華阿美綠豆湯): Shop specializing in mung bean based soups and desserts.
  • ​Shuàn Sên Tainan (双生綠豆沙牛奶): Green bean milkshake.
  • Ninao (蜷尾家 甘味処): Japanese soft serve ice cream store.
  • Lin Family’s Sweet Sugar Cake and Sweet Potato Cakes (林家茂子白糖粿蕃薯椪): Fried sugar bread and sweet potato bread.
  • Tai Cheng Fruit Store (泰成水果店): Quality fruits and juices with ice cream and fruit combos.
DRINKS
  • ​Chui Tea (揣茶): Beautiful teahouse with a variety of traditional Taiwanese teas that has a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy teas and snacks.
  • Pharmacists Tea House: Teashop known for their black tea.
  • Xiao Bo Tea / Bo Ge (小波茶飲/波哥): Popular tea shop with creative bubble tea drinks. Get their “綜合新味".

Other Resources

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