A visit to Tainan should definitely be part of your Taiwan itinerary. Not only was Tainan the official capital of Taiwan between 1624 and 1887, it is also Taiwan’s oldest city. And did you know that this part of Taiwan was once a Dutch colony (between 1624-1662 and 1664-1668)? Tainan is therefore the perfect destination to learn more about Taiwan’s fascinating history and the best place to visit some of the oldest and most beautiful temples in the country. In this guide, I share all my tips for what to do in Tainan, with top attractions, historical sites and beautiful temples. Plus some useful travel tips for when you plan to visit Tainan.
Things to do in Tainan’s Anping District
To learn more about the history of Tainan and visit some of the most popular Tainan attractions, we start in the Anping district. Although most of Tainan is easy to explore on foot, Anping is just a bit too far from the city center. From my hotel, I take the tourist shuttle bus 99 that stops at all the main Tainan tourist spots in Anping. It only runs on the weekend and is completely packed with tourists. A better option is to rent a bike or take an Uber. If you want to take the bus, check Google maps or this website for the timetable and route. You can pay with your EasyCard.
Fort Zeelandia (Anping Fort)
Fort Zeelandia (also known as Anping Fort) is one of the most important tourist spots in Tainan. This fort was built by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in the 17th century as a strategic military and trading post. It became a vital center for trade between the East and the West.
After the Dutch were expelled by Zheng Chenggong (Koxinga) in 1662, it took on a different function. It was then unused for years until the Japanese occupation (from 1895) and was renamed Anping Fort. Most of the buildings you see today were built during that time.
While I think a visit to Fort Zeelandia is definitely worthwhile, it is somewhat disappointing how little of the Dutch history you can still see here. Only a part of the wall around the fort dates from that time; the rest was built later. However, there’s a museum where you can learn more about the fort’s strategic importance and the events that took place on this site.
Address: No. 82, Guosheng Road, Anping District, Tainan City
Tait & Co Merchant House
For international trade in Taiwan, much changed in 1865 when the port of Anping was opened to companies from other countries. The British Tait & Co. was one of the companies that started doing business from Tainan at that time, dealing in opium, tea, and sugar. Japan revoked the trading rights in 1895, forcing most companies to close. Only Tait & Co. continued until 1911.
I really enjoyed visiting the Tait & Co. Merchant House. The beautifully restored Western-style mansion, established in 1867, was once the heart of international trade in the region. Inside, there is an interesting exhibition where you can learn more about the history of (international) trade in Tainan and how people lived.
Address: No. 108, Gubao Street, Anping District, Tainan City
Anping Tree House
Most visitors however are more interested in the attraction behind Tait & Co Merchant House. Here you will find Tait & Co’s original warehouse, which is now known as Anping Tree House.
After Tait & Co left the country, this 4600 m2 warehouse was used for salt storage. When it became vacant in the 20th century, the rapidly growing banyan trees completely took over.
I found visiting Anping Tree House one of the most fun things to do in Tainan. Although they let the trees grow freely, it is now fully geared toward tourists, and you can easily walk through the various rooms. There are also several stairs to a platform so you can admire the complex from above.
Address: No. 104, Gubao Street, Anping District, Tainan City
What to do in Tainan’s West Central District
The area that’s considered to be the city center of Tainan is the West Central District. Not only will you find many of the Tainan tourist spots and beautiful temples here, but also most of the restaurants and nice cafes. From my hotel, I can walk everywhere.
Looking for Tainan food tips? Check out my favorite restaurants & cafés.
Fort Provintia (Chihkan Tower)
Another reference to the Dutch colonial history in Tainan is Fort Provintia (Chihkan Tower). But just like Fort Zeelandia, you won’t see much of the original fort.
Throughout the centuries, this site had various functions and its appearance changed. For the Dutch, it was an administrative center and military fort. Today, the main attraction is the Haishen Temple in Chinese style. During a renovation in 1944, part of the old entrance to Fort Provintia and a part of the original wall were discovered. It’s not very impressive, but you can still see it today.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed my visit. The grounds are beautifully landscaped with a lovely garden with ponds and statues where you can sit in the shade if it gets too hot. There is an exhibition about the history of Fort Provintia in the temple.
Address: No. 212, Section 2, Minzu Road, West Central District, Tainan City
Hayashi Department Store
Shopping is usually not my favorite thing to do when I travel, but I’m more than happy to make an exception for the Hayashi Department Store. Not so much to buy something (although they have really nice things), but mainly because this iconic art-deco department store is an attraction in itself.
Hayashi was the first department store in Tainan in 1932. On each floor, you will find different mini shops with beautiful items, almost all made in Taiwan (and often even in Tainan). From traditional Taiwanese snacks to stylish fashion. If you want to buy a unique souvenir that you will still enjoy in a couple of years, you will certainly succeed here.
Don’t forget to take the old elevator to the rooftop. Besides being a nice viewpoint, you will also find a Shinto shrine and some holes in the walls from when the American army bombed Tainan during World War II.
Address: No. 63, Zhongyi Road, West Central District, Tainan City
Visit the most beautiful temples in Tainan
Tainan has no shortage of temples. You will find hundreds here, more than anywhere else in Taiwan. Although I won’t recommend visiting them all, your visit to Tainan is not complete without seeing at least a few.
My time in Tainan flew by (mainly because I was enjoying the food so much), so I eventually visited a few temples on my last morning in the city. If you also want to visit the most important temples in Tainan, I recommend doing the ‘Tainan temple tour’ in Lonely Planet’s Taiwan guide. This is a nice walk through the city center with 7 interesting temples along the route. I found the Confucius Temple, City God Temple, and Grand Mazu Temple the most worthwhile.
Tainan Confucius Temple
The Confucius Temple is only a 10-minute walk from my hotel in Tainan, so I visit this temple first. Although there are now several Confucius temples in Taiwan, this one – built in 1666 – was the first.
The beautiful temple is an ode to Confucius and his teachings, with inscriptions and artworks based on his philosophies. It is also a cultural center where ceremonies and events are regularly held.
Address: No. 2, Nanmen Road, West Central District, Tainan City
City God Temple
The City God Temple (also known as the Cheng Huang Temple) is really worth visiting if you only want to see a few temples in Tainan. The centuries-old temple is dedicated to Cheng Huang, the protector of the city. Inside, the architecture with richly decorated facades, colorful murals, and impressive wood carvings brings the stories of gods and legends to life.
Address: No. 133, Qingnian Road, West Central District, Tainan City
Grand Mazu Temple
I found the Grand Mazu Temple the most spectacular to visit in Tainan. The temple has 3 main sections and several smaller rooms you can walk through. Everywhere you go you will find beautiful altars and detailed sculptures depicting the myths and legends of Mazu (goddess of the sea).
Address: No. 18, Yongfu Road, West Central District, Tainan City
Beautiful historical streets to visit in West Central District
Since Tainan’s city center is so walkable, you will naturally come across nice streets while walking. However, there are two streets you definitely shouldn’t miss.
Shennong Street
During my entire time Taiwan, I couldn’t find a postcard to send home (don’t people send postcards anymore?). But in the photogenic Shennong Street with its lovely small shops, I finally succeeded.
Shennong Street is a charming, historic street, only 90 meters long. This was once an important trade route, and you still find old merchant houses and traditional facades. Nowadays, there’s a nice laid-back, creative vibe, thanks to the eclectic mix of boutique shops, art galleries, and trendy tea houses. The colorful lanterns that illuminate the street at night make it all extra special.
Zhengxing Street
Just a short walk from Shennong Street, there’s another lovely street where you’ll find Tainan’s young entrepreneurs and artists in old restored buildings. Zhengxing Street is the perfect place for foodies as it’s mainly known for its many street food stalls but also hipster cafés. With colorful street art and artisan shops, there is a hip, creative vibe.
How many days should you spend in Tainan
Although you could visit Tainan as a day trip from Taipei due to the relatively short distances, I would really recommend staying longer. I stayed here for 4 days (3 nights), and that was perfect. Since this was almost the end of my trip, I took it easy and spent a lot of time exploring the nice restaurants and cafes. After all, Tainan is known as the food capital of Taiwan. If you want to visit the main Tainan tourist spots, including some beautiful temples, I recommend spending at least 3 days in Tainan.
Best boutique hotel in Tainan
I mentioned earlier that Tainan is mostly walkable, but of course that depends on where you stay. Most Tainan attractions and restaurants are in the West Central District. Therefore, I would recommend trying to find a hotel in this district. Or between West Central District and Anping, where you will also spend some time.
I stayed 3 nights at U.I.J Hotel & Hostel, which I is the nicest hotel of my entire Taiwan trip. If you stay in one of the hotel rooms of this boutique hotel, you have a wonderfully luxurious and spacious room to yourself. At the same time, you can also use the facilities for the hostel rooms, such as the cozy kitchen where you can get free coffee and tea. And the nice terrace.
How to get to Tainan by train
If you travel by public transport in Taiwan, Tainan is very easy to get to. It is one of the stops on the high-speed train route along the west coast of Taiwan. The train takes you from Taipei to Tainan or vice versa in just 1 hour and 46 minutes.
As I explained in my post with Taiwan travel tips, the high-speed train does stop outside the city center of Tainan. So, I would only take this train if you are coming from Taipei. Or when you travel back to Taipei after visiting Tainan (which is what I did).
If you are already traveling around Taiwan and coming from, for example, Chiayi, then take the ‘regular’ train. This one stops in the city centre, and right outside the station, there is a well-organized taxi stand to take you to your hotel.
Looking for more Taiwan travel tips & inspiration? Check out my Taiwan guide.
