Tainan, Taiwan
Region: Tainan
Geographic Coordinates: 22.983300, 120.183000
Temperature Range: 20.0°C to 35.0°C (68°F to 95°F)
Climate: Tropical climate with high humidity and frequent rainfall throughout the year. Typhoons are common from July to October.
Population: 1874686
Language: Mandarin Chinese
Tainan is a city located in the southern part of Taiwan that boasts a rich cultural heritage, Traditional architecture, And delicious local food. It was once the capital of Taiwan during the Qing Dynasty and has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Today, It draws visitors from all over the world with its numerous temples, Museums, And other historical sites. Anping Old Street is one of Tainan’s most popular attractions. This street dates back to the 17th century when it was a bustling commercial center for Dutch traders.
Today, It is a pedestrian-friendly area filled with shops selling souvenirs and local snacks such as pineapple cakes and beef jerky. Chihkan Tower (also known as Fort Provintia) is another must-see attraction in Tainan. This historic site was built by Dutch colonizers in 1653 and served as an administrative center during their rule over Taiwan. The tower has been restored several times over the years but still retains much of its original charm. Tainan also boasts several beautiful temples that are worth visiting.
Confucius Temple was built in 1665 during Qing Dynasty rule and features intricate carvings, Elaborate roof decorations, And tranquil gardens. Koxinga Shrine honors Ming loyalist Zheng Chenggong (also known as Koxinga), Who successfully drove out Dutch colonizers from Taiwan before being defeated by Qing forces. The shrine features statues of Koxinga along with his family members. In addition to its historical sites, Tainan offers some unique food options that are worth trying out like danzai noodles which consists of thin noodles served with braised pork belly or shrimp along with various toppings like peanuts or cilantro.
Overall, Tainan provides an excellent opportunity for travelers to experience Taiwan’s rich history and culture through its beautiful temples, Historic sites, And delicious food making it a must-visit destination for any traveler to Taiwan.
Important Landmarks
- Anping Fort (Fort Zeelandia)
- Chihkan Tower (Fort Provintia)
- Confucius Temple
- National Museum of Taiwan Literature
- Hayashi Department Store
- Tainan Flower Night Market
- Eternal Golden Castle (Fort Anping)
- Anping Tree House
- Shennong Street (Old Street)
- Wusheng Night Market
Primary Industries
- Tainan, Taiwan boasts a diverse economy with several major industries and businesses.
- The city is home to various technology companies, including Acer Inc., which manufactures computer hardware and software products.
- Its fertile land makes it an ideal location for agricultural production with crops like rice, sugar cane, fruits, vegetables, and tea being the main products.
- Tainan also has a growing biotechnology industry that focuses on research and development of new medicines and medical equipment.
- The city’s rich cultural heritage attracts many tourists every year who come to explore its historic sites such as Anping Fort or Chimei Museum.
- With a well-developed infrastructure network in place, Tainan has become a hub for manufacturing various products such as machinery parts, textiles, plastics goods among others.
- Additionally, several universities are located in Tainan that offers courses related to science & technology as well as arts & humanities which helps in creating job opportunities for students after graduation.
Noteable History
- The founding of the city in 1590 by Koxinga, a Chinese military leader who expelled the Dutch from Taiwan.
- The establishment of Taiwan’s first capital in Tainan during the Qing Dynasty (1683-1885).
- The famous 1786 Battle of Tamsui, where Ming loyalist forces under Lin Shuangwen were defeated by Qing Dynasty troops.
- The birthplace of Chiang Kai-shek, former President of China and leader of the Kuomintang party.
- The location where Japanese colonial rule ended in Taiwan on October 25th, 1945.
- The historic Anping Fort (Fort Zeelandia) built by the Dutch East India Company in 1624 to protect their trade interests in Asia.
- Notable people associated with Tainan include poet and scholar Wu Rulun, painter Chen Cheng-po, and politician Huang Fu-san.
- Tainan is also known for its traditional Taiwanese cuisine such as beef soup noodles (牛肉麵), milkfish porridge (虱目魚粥), oyster omelet (蚵仔煎), and danzai noodles (擔仔麵).
Museums and Things To See
- Anping Fort: This historic fort, built by the Dutch in the 17th century, is now a popular tourist attraction.
- Chimei Museum: Featuring an extensive collection of art, musical instruments, and artifacts from around the world, this museum is a must-see for visitors.
- National Museum of Taiwan Literature: Showcasing the literary history of Taiwan through various exhibits and interactive displays, this museum offers a unique cultural experience.
- Tainan Confucius Temple: Dedicated to Confucius and built in 1665, this temple is one of Tainan’s oldest and most revered landmarks.
- Eternal Golden Castle: Built during the Qing Dynasty in 1874 as a military stronghold, this castle has stood as a testament to Taiwan’s rich history for over a century.
- Shennong Street: Lined with traditional Taiwanese architecture and offering insight into daily life during ancient times, Shennong Street provides visitors with an authentic glimpse into Taiwanese culture.
- Hayashi Department Store: Once one of Tainan’s largest buildings when it was built in 1932, Hayashi Department Store now serves as a cultural center for arts events in the city.
- Blueprint Cultural & Creative Park: A former sugar refinery turned cultural park that hosts exhibitions, performances workshops, dining options & shops.
- Wufei Temple: The temple has several halls dedicated to Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy), Mazu (Goddess Protector), Matsu’s brother Datianwang who protects against evil spirits etc.
- Anping Tree House: The tree house used to be part of an old warehouse complex belonging to British trading firm Tait & Co., which operated out of Anping between 1867-1940s.
Sports Teams
- The Uni-President Lions is a professional baseball team in Tainan, Taiwan, founded in 1989. They have won seven championships in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) and are known for their aggressive style of play. The team has produced notable players such as Kuo Hong-chih, Lin En-yu, and Pan Wei-lun.
- Tainan City Basketball Team is a professional basketball team based in Tainan, Taiwan, founded in 2010. They compete in the Taiwanese Super Basketball League (SBL) and have been improving steadily over the years despite not winning a championship yet.
- National Cheng Kung University Football Team is a college football team based in Tainan, Taiwan that has been competing since 1958. They have won several championships at the collegiate level.
- Chia Nan University of Pharmacy & Science Volleyball Team is a college volleyball team based in Tainan, Taiwan that has been competing since 1997 and has won several championships at the collegiate level.
- Hsin Sheng College of Medical Care & Management Baseball Team is a college baseball team based in Tainan, Taiwan that has been competing since 2006 and has won several championships at the collegiate level.
Cultural Events
- Tainan Lantern Festival is an annual event that takes place during the Lunar New Year. The festival showcases thousands of lanterns in various shapes and sizes.
- The Tainan International Choral Festival brings together choral groups from around the world to perform in Tainan.
- The Koxinga Cultural Festival celebrates the life of Koxinga, a famous military leader who played a significant role in Taiwan’s history.
- The Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival is a unique festival that features fireworks launched from beehive-shaped structures.
- The Tainan Flower Expo is an annual event that showcases beautiful flowers and plants from around the world.
- The Tainan Literature Festival celebrates literature and features readings, workshops, and discussions with local and international authors.
- The Da Jia Mazu Pilgrimage Procession is one of Taiwan’s largest religious festivals where thousands of people participate in a procession to honor Mazu, the goddess of the sea.
- Dadong Arts Fair is an annual art fair featuring works by local artists as well as international artists working in Taiwan.
- The Southern Taiwan Craft Beer Fest celebrates craft beer with breweries from all over Taiwan showcasing their best brews.
- The Taijiang National Park Bird Watching Festival is an annual bird watching festival held at Taijiang National Park which is home to over 200 species of birds.
Cuisine
- Danzai noodles (擔仔麵) at Koxinga Shrine.
- Coffin bread (棺材板) at Du Hsiao Yueh.
- Oyster omelette (蚵仔煎) at Shrimp Rolls King or Ah Tao Oyster Omelette.
- Beef soup noodles (牛肉湯麵) at A-Zhu Beef Soup Noodles.
- Milkfish congee (虱目魚粥) at Guo Hua Street Night Market.
- Fried chicken cutlet rice bowl (雞排飯) at Feng Chia Night Market or Shilin Night Market.
- Taiwanese-style porridge with side dishes (小菜八碗粥) at Chen Ji Porridge.
- Tainan-style fried shrimp rolls (蝦捲), which can be found in many night markets and street vendors.
- Traditional Taiwanese desserts such as shaved ice with toppings like mango, red bean, or taro ball can be found in many dessert shops around the city.
- Taiwanese-style hot pot restaurants like Little Sheep Hot Pot or Mala Yuanyang Hot Pot are also popular among locals and tourists alike in Tainan, Taiwan.
Parks and Recreation
- Anping Tree House: This park is home to a unique treehouse built around banyan trees.
- Tainan Park: A large public park that features walking paths, gardens, and a lake.
- Taijiang National Park: A coastal park that boasts wetlands, mangroves, and birdwatching opportunities.
- Chimei Museum Gardens: Beautiful gardens surrounding the Chimei Museum with sculptures and water features.
- Wushantou Reservoir Scenic Area: A scenic area with hiking trails and a reservoir for fishing and boating.
- Jhongshan Park: A historic park with traditional Chinese architecture, ponds, and gardens.
- Tainan Flower Night Market: An outdoor market selling flowers, plants, food stalls and other local goods in the evening hours.
- Dadong Arts Center Plaza: This outdoor performance space is perfect for concerts or cultural events during weekends or holidays throughout the year.
- Guanziling Hot Springs Recreation Area : Visitors can enjoy natural hot springs that offer spa treatments in nearby resorts or hotels.
- Sicao Green Tunnel : Take a scenic boat ride through a tunnel of mangrove trees along Sicao Waterway!