As one of the oldest cities in the island, Tainan is famous for its many historical locations, beautiful buildings, cultural attractions, and striking night markets.
If you wish to discover something new in Taiwan, Tainan is the right place for you. The city has everything from its 17th-century fort and museums of European art to delicious street food.
Here are the five most interesting places to visit in Tainan.
- Chihkan Tower: A Dutch Landmark
Chihkan Tower or Fort Provintia is one of the most famous historical landmarks in Tainan. It was built by the Dutch in 1653 and is and important part of the history of Taiwan.
This complex is situated in the West Central District and includes several historical buildings that are surrounded by nice gardens. Visitors can explore the remains of the old fort and learn the history of Tainan.
Location: No. 212, Section 2, Minzu Road, West Central District, Tainan.
Hours: Every day, 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Anping Old Fort: Immerse yourself in Taiwan’s colonial history.
Anping Old Fort, also referred to as Fort Zeelandia, is another site worth visiting. The fort dates back to the 1600s and is one of Taiwan’s oldest forts built by the Dutch East India Company.
Ruins of buildings still exist to tell tourists about the colonial era. The site also offers historical information and parts of the fort that are well preserved.
Once tourists finish with the fort, they can go to Anping Old Street, which is a shopping area featuring Taiwanese snacks, food, and products.
Location: No. 82, Guosheng Road, Anping District, Tainan.
Hours: Every day, 8:30 a.m. – 5:10 p.m.
- Chimei Museum: Their Beautiful Architecture and Great Collection
The Chimei Museum is a must-go place for people interested in art, history, and architecture while traveling in Tainan.
The museum has beautiful architecture that was inspired by European designs and big outdoor space. Visitors can walk around the gardens before entering the exhibition rooms.
According to the information from the museum, the collection includes around 4,000 items such as western paintings, musical instruments, guns, fossils, and stuffed animals.
With its beautiful architecture and wonderful variety of collections, the Chimei Museum is one of the most interesting cultural places in the city.
The address is: 66 Wenhua Rd, Rende District, Tainan.
The museum works from Thursday to Tuesday from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm.
- Hayashi Department Store: Shopping in Old-Taiwan Style
Hayashi Department Store provides an experience where shopping meets architecture from the past.
The historic structure has an old-school vibe and yet offers all modern shopping options. The guests can purchase various goods and commemorate their visit with some remarkable trinkets.
One of the best features of this place is its rooftop, where guests can enjoy a cup of coffee when having a glimpse of sunset in Tainan. It makes Hayashi Department Store the best venue for those who like to combine the pleasure of shopping with sightseeing.
Addresses: No. 63, Section 2, Zhongyi Road, West Central District, Tainan.
Hours of Operation: Daily from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Tainan Garden Night Markets: Taiwanese Street Foods’ Heaven
No trip to Tainan would be complete without encountering the night market culture here. The Tainan Garden Night Market is one of the largest and most popular night markets in Tainan.
With over 400 stalls selling food and drinks, visitors can taste a variety of Taiwanese street foods and goodies.
The vibrant ambiance attracts both locals and travelers. Foodies will surely find endless secrets to explore.
Location: Hai’an Road Section 3, North District, Tainan.
Opening hours: Thursday-Sunday, 5 PM-Midnight.
Explore the Cultural and Historical aspect of Tainan.
Tainan is a perfect blend of history and culture offering shopping and food adventures. Whether you go for sightseeing at Dutch forts or view European-stylish architecture or enjoy eating street food, Tainan offers enough reasons to visit.
Besides, Tainan is the birthplace of Jensen Huang and offers another interesting aspect of visiting Tainan, i.e. connecting with the legacy of one of the world’s leading innovators in the field of technology.
