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No.1 Explore Anping District’s Historical Heart
Anping is the historic core of Tainan and a must-visit. It’s a coastal district located in the western part of Tainan City. While modern Tainan has grown around it, Anping is the original 17th-century settlement where it all started.
Key sites here include the Anping Old Fort (Fort Zeelandia), the iconic Anping Treehouse, and the bustling Anping Old Street. This area was the center of trade during the Dutch colonization in the 17th century.
Anpinng Old Fort
For a great taste of Anping's history, Anping Old Fort is the best place to start. It's Taiwan's oldest fortress. The Dutch East India Company built Fort Zeelandia here in 1624 as their main hub. Then in 1662, Koxinga took it over and made it his residence after defeating the Dutch.
Today, a 65.8-meter section of the original 17th-century red brick wall still remains, and it's arguably the most impressive Dutch relic you can still see. There's also a small museum inside with old maps and artifacts.
Climbing the observation tower is definitely worth it for the 360-degree view.
Anping Treehouse
Another must-see in Anping is the Treehouse. It was once a warehouse for Tait & Co., a British trading company, but a giant banyan tree has completely taken it over. It looks like something straight out of Tomb Raider or an adventure movie.
Your ticket also gets you into the old, restored merchant house right next to it, which is a nice bonus. The best way to experience the Treehouse is by using the metal walkways. They take you up and through the building, giving you the coolest views.
Anping Old Street
Anping Old Street starts right outside the fort. It's the main spot for Tainan's famous street food. The main road here is Yanping Street, which is actually known as "Taiwan's First Street." You'll find all the classic snacks, from shrimp rolls to tofu pudding.
No.2 Chihkan Tower: From Old to New
- Entry fee: NT$50 (half price for students)
- Open daily: 8:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Chihkan Tower is one of Tainan's most famous landmarks. You can't miss its red walls and traditional Chinese roofs. Originally built by the Dutch in 1653 as Fort Provintia, it's now completely Chinese in style after many rebuilds.
What You'll See
The complex has 2 main buildings connected by a bridge. Inside, you'll find exhibits about Tainan's history, old maps, and artifacts.
The gardens are the real highlight - beautiful koi ponds, old stone tablets, and nine stone turtle statues carrying stelae (stone slabs with Chinese text). Local legend says rubbing the turtles' heads brings good luck.
The tower is open until 9 PM and looks magical when lit up after dark. The colored lights make the red buildings glow, and it's much cooler than daytime.
Best Photo Spots
The moon bridge over the koi pond makes a perfect photo, especially with the red buildings reflected in the water.
Most tourists miss the view from the second floor of the main hall - you can see the whole complex from up there. The stone turtles are also popular for photos.
No.3 Pray at the Tainan Grand Mazu Temple
You should also visit the Tainan Grand Mazu Temple, one of the oldest and most important Mazu temples in Taiwan. It was originally the palace of a Ming Dynasty prince, which is why the building feels so grand.
Built in 1664, this historic temple sits in the heart of Tainan's old city near Chihkan Tower. Local people consider it the most important Mazu temple in all of Taiwan.
The temple stays busy with worshippers throughout the day. During festivals, especially Mazu's birthday in spring, thousands of pilgrims visit from across Taiwan.
The temple complex includes several smaller halls dedicated to other gods. Each hall has its own purpose - some for health, others for business success or family harmony.
The temple offers free fortune-telling with wooden blocks called "bwa bwei." Ask the temple staff to show you how to use them properly. To see more: Check out our list of 10 Must-See Temples in Taiwan.
No.4 Experience the Buzz of a Tainan Night Market
Tainan night markets offer the best street food experience in Taiwan. The city has several famous night markets that operate on different days of the week.
- Garden Night Market (花園夜市): The largest and most famous, with around 400 stalls offering food, games, and shopping. It operates on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
- Dadong Night Market (大東夜市): The second largest, open on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, offering another fantastic selection of street food.
Popular foods include coffin bread (thick toast filled with seafood), dan zai noodles, and shrimp rolls. Most dishes cost 30-80 NT dollars. You can try many different foods for under 500 NT dollars total.
Tainan's major night markets are not open every day; they are mobile and operate on a rotating schedule in large, open lots.
Always check which night market is open on the day you want to go. Locals even have a saying to remember the schedule: "Da-Da-Wu-Hua-Da-Hua-Hua," which tells them if it's the Dadong, Wusheng, or Garden night market's turn. Navigate the bustling night markets like a pro on the Taiwan Food Tour from Asia Odyssey Travel.
12 Best Taiwan Night Markets (+ 8 Must-try Night Markets Food)
No.5 Find Serenity at the Tainan Confucius Temple
You should definitely visit the Tainan Confucius Temple. This is Taiwan's first Confucius Temple, built in 1665. Students still come here to pray before big exams. The red walls and green trees make it one of Tainan's most peaceful places.
A key detail to look for is the black sign hanging high up in the main hall that says '全臺首學' (First Academy of all Taiwan).
You'll see small ceramic figures of ancient scholars and animals. Each one is different and handmade. The craftsmen hid these details 300 years ago, and most tourists walk right past them. Bring binoculars or use your phone's zoom to see them clearly.
After you enjoy the peaceful temple grounds, walk across the street to Fuzhong Lane for a great mix of modern cafes and unique little shops.
No.6 Stroll Through Hayashi Department Store
- Opening Hours: 11 AM - 9 PM daily
A great place to visit is the Hayashi Department Store, which was Tainan’s first department store with an elevator when it opened in 1932.
After sitting empty for decades, it reopened in 2014 as a gorgeous heritage building that sells goods “made in Taiwan/Tainan”.
On the 6th floor rooftop, look for the old machine gun mount and bullet holes in the walls. During WWII, American planes bombed the building thinking it was a military facility. The scars are still visible.
There's also a small Shinto shrine - one of the few remaining in Taiwan. The rooftop gives you 360-degree views of old Tainan.
Take the old elevator at least once. It still has the manual controls and uniformed operator who announces each floor in Japanese and Chinese. Only 6 people fit at a time, so there's often a wait, but it's worth it for the experience.
No.7 Wander Down the Lantern-lit Shennong Street
Shennong Street sits in Tainan's West Central District, near the historic city center. This narrow 300-meter lane transforms at sunset when hundreds of red lanterns light up traditional shophouses from the 1800s.
Small shops sell handmade crafts, vintage clothes, and local snacks. You'll find tea shops where old men play chess and young people chat over bubble tea. Street food vendors cook traditional Tainan treats like oyster omelets and beef soup.
The street gets very busy on weekends when couples come for romantic walks. Photographers love taking pictures here because the lanterns create perfect lighting. Many movies and TV shows film scenes on this street.
No.8 Admire the Grandeur of Chimei Museum
- Ticket: NT$200 adults, NT$150 students
- Opening Hours: 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM (closed Mondays)
The Chimei Museum looks like it belongs in Europe, not Taiwan. This massive white building with Greek columns sits in a huge park. It's Taiwan's largest private museum, built by the founder of Chimei Corporation who wanted to share his art collection with everyone.
The museum has 5 main sections: Western art, musical instruments, weapons and armor, natural history, and sculptures. The Western art collection is the star - you'll see real works by Rodin and other famous artists.
it holds the world's largest collection of violins, and they actually lend these rare instruments to top musicians for concerts.
The museum is not in the city center, so it’s smart to visit it on your way to or from the High-Speed Rail station, as they are both in the same area.
No.9 Get Creative at Blueprint Culture & Creative Park
For a cool, modern spot, check out the Blueprint Culture & Creative Park. It's a collection of old dormitories that have been turned into small shops, art studios, and cafes. The park is famous for its 3D blueprint art painted on the walls, which makes for fun photos.
This park is actually the second version. The original blueprint was a famous piece of street art on a different street that was eventually painted over.
The area hosts rotating art exhibitions that change every few months. Photography shows, contemporary paintings, and design installations fill the gallery spaces.
Weekend markets happen regularly, featuring handmade jewelry, vintage clothing, and local art prints. The park also hosts workshops where you can learn pottery, painting, or traditional crafts.
No.10 Discover the Reimagined Ten Drum Creative Village
Ten Drum Creative Village is a fun music park built inside an old sugar factory that closed down years ago. Big concrete towers and old machines make it look like a movie set. Real drummers play shows here every day using big Taiwanese drums.
You can try drumming too. Teachers show you how to play simple beats. The sound is really loud inside the old factory rooms. Both kids and grown-ups love trying the drums.
The park has exciting rides built into the old buildings. You can walk across high bridges between towers. There are also zip lines and slides that go through the factory.
You can also ride an old train that still works. The factory's steam engine runs short trips on weekends. The factory has a small museum that shows how they used to make sugar. It's free to visit
The best part is the night shows. Professional drum players put on amazing concerts with lights and dancing. They mix old Taiwanese music with modern beats.
No.11 Get Lost in Tainan's Atmospheric Alleys
One of the best things to do in Tainan is to simply get lost in its alleys. The city is full of tiny, quiet lanes where you can find old houses, hidden temples, and unique little cafes.
Many of these alleys are too narrow for cars, which is why they have kept their peaceful, old-world feeling.
Just pick a direction and start walking without a map. If you ever feel truly lost, you can always use your phone's GPS to find your way back to a main street.
The best alleys lie in the West Central and North Districts near Confucius Temple and Chihkan Tower.
No.12 Take a Boat Ride Through the Sicao Green Tunnel
The Sicao Green Tunnel is one of Taiwan's most beautiful waterways. This magical place sits in Tainan's Annan District. Local people call it "Taiwan's Amazon" because of its stunning green canopy.
You take a short boat ride on a canal that is completely covered by mangrove trees, creating a perfect green tunnel. A really interesting detail is that this waterway was once used for transporting salt and sugar hundreds of years ago.
You can only visit by taking a bamboo raft or small boat. Local boat operators run tours from Sicao Wharf. The best time to go is early morning or late afternoon when the light is softest. Tours last about 30 minutes and cost around TWD 200 dollars per person.
No.13 Explore the Qigu Salt Mountain
Qigu Salt Mountain is a giant white pyramid made entirely of salt. This man-made mountain sits in Tainan's Qigu District, about 40 minutes from the city center. It's one of Taiwan's most unique attractions and perfect for photos.
The salt mountain stands 20 meters tall and weighs over 50,000 tons. The white crystals sparkle in sunlight, making it look like snow in tropical Taiwan. You can climb wooden stairs to reach the top for panoramic views.
A small museum explains how salt production works. You can also try salt ice cream, a local specialty that tastes surprisingly good. The best time for clear photos is during dry season from October to April when the salt stays pure white.
No.14 Indulge in a Tainan-Style Breakfast: Beef Soup
Beef soup for breakfast is Tainan's most famous food tradition. Local people start their day with hot beef soup instead of coffee or toast. This unique breakfast has been popular in Tainan for over 100 years.
The soup uses fresh beef that gets cooked quickly in boiling broth. Good shops slice the beef paper-thin so it cooks in seconds when hot soup pours over it.
Most beef soup shops open very early, around 5 AM, and close by noon. Go before 8 AM for the best quality beef. Popular shops run out of the freshest cuts by mid-morning. Also, don't add soy sauce - the clear broth has perfect flavor already.
You'll find beef soup shops all over Tainan's old districts. Local workers, students, and tourists all eat together at small plastic tables. The atmosphere is casual and friendly. Look for places with long lines of locals - they know which shops have the freshest meat. Foodies can explore the best local spots with the Asia Odyssey Travel Taiwan Food Tour.
No.15 Sample Tainan's Signature Street Foods
Beyond beef soup, Tainan is a paradise for foodies. Be sure to try:
- Danzai Noodles (擔仔麵): A small bowl of noodles in a savory shrimp-based broth, a classic Tainan dish.
- Shrimp Rolls (蝦捲): Crispy, deep-fried rolls filled with fresh shrimp.
- Coffin Bread (棺材板): A hollowed-out thick slice of fried bread filled with a creamy chowder.
- Savory Rice Pudding (碗粿): A steamed savory rice cake, often with meat, egg yolk, and a thick, sweetish soy sauce.
Taiwan Famous Food: 13 Must-try Foods in Taiwan
Tainan Itinerary: How Many Days Spend in Tainan
Tainan Itinerary 1 Day
With only one day, you must focus on the most famous and centrally located sites. The goal is to get a taste of Tainan's history, food, and unique atmosphere without spending too much time traveling between spots.
Stick to the West Central District. This area is dense with historical landmarks and is very walkable. Visit the Chihkan Tower, Grand Mazu Temple, Shennong Street and night market.
Tainan Itinerary 2 Days
Two days allows you to dedicate a full day to two major, distinct historical areas of Tainan. Split the city into its two most important zones: the old city center and Anping District.
- Day 1: West Central District. Follow the 1-day itinerary. Focus on Chihkan Tower, Shennong Street, the alleys, and a night market. This covers the heart of the old city.
- Day 2: Anping District. Dedicate this entire day to the Anping area. It was the original Dutch and Chinese settlement. Visit the Anping Old Fort (Fort Zeelandia) and the Anping Tree House. Walk down Anping Old Street to try local snacks like shrimp rolls. This covers the historic port.
Tainan Itinerary 3 Days
Use the first two days to cover the city's core historical districts (Central and Anping). Use the third day for a memorable day trip to a major attraction that requires more travel time.
Day 1: West Central District (Chihkan Tower, Shennong Street, etc.).
Day 2: Anping District (Anping Fort, Tree House, Old Street).
Day 3: The "Wow Factor" Day. Choose one major destination.
- Option A (Thrill & Culture): Go to the Ten Drum Creative Village. It's an incredible repurposed sugar factory with rides and a world-class drum show. This can easily take up most of a day.
- Option B (Scenery & Nature): Head to the coast. Visit the Qigu Salt Mountain and the nearby Sicao Green Tunnel (for a boat ride through the mangroves). This offers a completely different, natural landscape.
Where to Stay in Tainan
West Central District is the best choice for most visitors. You can walk to all the main sights like temples and old streets. This area has nice hotels in old buildings, modern hotels, and cheap hostels. Lots of restaurants and shops stay open late. But rooms cost more and parking is hard to find.
East District is good if you want newer hotels with better facilities. It's close to the train station and has more parking spots. You need to take a taxi or bus to reach the historic areas, which takes about 20 minutes.
North District sits between the historic area and modern parts. Hotels here cost less money and you can walk to night markets easily. The area feels more like where local people actually live.
Near the Train Station works well if you're taking trains to other cities. Hotels focus on business travelers with quick service and early breakfast. Not much character but very practical for short visits.
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