Best Things to do in Tainan

We arrived in Tainan early, so not a lot was open yet. After breakfast, we made our way to the Confucius Temple at the center of the city. The temple dates back to 1666, when it was built as the first Confucian temple, and was the heart of higher education on the island. To this day, the temple stands as one of the most important historic and religious sites in the country. It’s easy to find, located in a peaceful forested park near other major attractions, like the Art Museum and Chihkan Tower. Later in the day, we had shaved ice across the street, so there really is a lot to do in the area. 

Morning sun was pouring through the trees as we walked up to the temple. It was just before opening time, so we roamed around the grounds and enjoyed the calm atmosphere as we waited. It is a very tranquil place that reminded me of the Temple of Literature in Hanoi. The temple itself isn’t very large, and a modest ticket price allows you to see the inner courtyard. We explored the well-preserved halls for around an hour and a half. Taiwan is a mostly non-religious country, so it felt more like visiting a monument rather than a place of worship. I really loved the detailing on the rooftop. It’s like a blend between the extravagant Buddhist temples of Southeast Asia and the minimalist Shinto temples of Japan.

The other major area of Tainan is Anping. This is the old Dutch quarter, where the Dutch East India Company originally exerted control over the island. The original name for the area was Tayouan, which the Dutch wrote as Taiwan, eventually becoming the name of the entire country. Anping is full of old trade houses and warehouses, used during colonial times as the island grew in power, and Anping Treehouse is an interesting example.

It is not a large area, with only a few small buildings and several walkways winding throughout the structure. Despite the small size, it’s a truly fascinating place to explore. I always wanted a house in the trees as a kid, and something like this is exactly what I was imagining. Trees have entirely overrun most sections of the building, but the shape of the walls is surprisingly intact. We spent almost an hour just walking through the abandoned buildings and taking pictures with the roots.

Surrounding the fort are countless stalls selling trinkets, snacks, and more. If you want a real market experience, just across the road is Anping Old Street. This bustling street is full of cafes, restaurants, and small markets. We came here specifically to eat the famous coffin bread, but there are plenty of other treats worth getting. At the corner is a famous bubble tea stall, and there are popular joints along the entire length of the street.

Thankfully, Yemisi decided to explore around and found a portion at the back that was available. Although it was next to the construction, we could see the vision. The remodel has the roof painted a striking bright blue, which varies from the usual seafoam green I’ve seen in the past. The interior is not large, but the original brick wall of the fortress can be seen from the bottom. Inside is a small museum outlining the history of the fort and the surrounding area. Honestly, it’s a lot smaller than I expected, and the main draw is definitely the view from the front. But, if you’re in the area its easy to find the time to visit, so I recommend it even if it’s still under construction.

You’ve probably noticed by now that Tainan has a rich history of colonial influence. Between China, the Dutch, and the Indigenous groups, there have been many nations pulling their weight over the centuries. The last major group came relatively recently, when the Japanese invaded the island in 1895 after the first Sino-Japanese War. The Hayashi Department Store in downtown Tainan is one of the most visible marks in the region. The store is five stories built with modern technology as a symbol of Japanese power. During WWII, the building was bombed by the U.S. but survived, and shell holes can still be seen on the roof.

These days, it has been remodeled, maintaining a vintage early 20th-century aesthetic. The employees wear smart-looking suits or vintage dresses, and the store is decorated with classic banker’s lamps, gramophones, and old film cameras. They sell everything from clothes, appliances, bags, souvenirs, and more. Everything in the store is from local shops, and the quality is very high; this isn’t your average tourist store. If you’re looking for great knick-knacks or local items to take home, I recommend this be your first stop. We ended up finding our postcard here, and if we had more time, I’m sure we could have picked up even more.

Our last stop of the day was the famous Shennong Street. At first, I thought the street was more for bars and restaurants, but this is actually the art district of Tainan. It is located near canals that used to lead into docks in the city, and after the area became outdated. Much like The Pier2 Art Center in Kaohsiung, the street was transformed into a hub of artists and vendors taking up residence in the old warehouses. The street is famous due to the many lanterns strung across the way. With a quaint vibe and a wide variety of local goods, it’s a surprisingly great place to shop.