A historic cultural hub, Tainan City is known for its historic monuments, Taoist temples and unique traditions. This charming destination is the oldest city on the island of Taiwan and attracts tourists with its local street food and sweet traditional cuisine.

Things to do

Tainan contains more Buddhist and Taoist temples than any other city in the country, highlighted by the famous Grand Matsu Temple. Enjoy strolling down long corridors with rooms upon rooms containing shrines to various deities. Reflect on the history hidden behind the walls recounting that this sacred temple was once a royal palace.

Love exploring unique museums? Tainan City is home to a whole host of them, including the National Museum of Taiwanese Literature. Embrace learning about Taiwanese and indigenous dialects through textual explanations, interactive displays and original manuscripts. The National Museum of Taiwan History is another popular site, which highlights the ethnocultural history of Taiwan.

A visit to Tainan City is not complete until you’ve seen Fort Provintia. This Dutch outpost is an important historical and architectural monument where you can admire the detailed artistry of the carved towers and learn about the Siege of Fort Zeelandia when the fort was surrendered to Koxinga.

Tainan City is famous for its distinct local cuisine, which is much sweeter than other Taiwanese dishes due to its prevalent sugar production. Try your taste buds on an oyster omelette or popiah. Guo Hua Street is a popular epicentre for street vendors where you can sample delicacies to your heart’s desire.

Getting around

From the Tainan railway station, you can take a bus to most destinations throughout the city. Many areas are easily explored on foot, such as the Anping District. Rent a scooter and enjoy sightseeing from a more intimate perspective.