The primary metropolis in Taiwan and the historic capital of the nation, Tainan, is likely one of the southernmost cities that you must go to whereas exploring Taiwan. It actually offers Taipei (the brand new capital) a run for its cash on the subject of cities to go to whereas in Taiwan.
For me, what makes Tainan further candy is its meals tradition. Not solely does it have a heap of evening markets, it additionally has an unlimited mixture of stalls and eating places that make this metropolis the foodie capital of Taiwan.
So, that will help you get probably the most out of your time in Taiwan, I’m sharing our high issues to do in Tainan while you go to the town. It’s one in all Taiwan’s finest cities to go to while exploring the nation.
1.) Anping Market
Not too removed from Anping Fort, the Anping Market space (Google Maps link) is stuffed with hawker-style shops, foodie spots and heaps of unbiased shops that line the streets right here.
Give your self round 2-3 hours to completely discover the realm. Though it isn’t enormous, you’ll find yourself stopping at so many alternative spots alongside the way in which in Anping Market and even be part of some native courses.
After we visited, we might strive our hand at making honeycomb sugar biscuits inside the market itself. You pay a small price (round 60-100 Taiwan {dollars}) and also you’ll make your very personal biscuits on the streetside. We cherished it.
Additionally, don’t neglect that Tainan is a candy metropolis. What I imply by that is that the town loves candy treats. It’s well-known in Taiwan, and Tainan really embraces its love of candy treats.
Be sure that to strive brown sugar cake, pineapple cake, and Taiwanese bubble tea, which is likely one of the finest on the planet—effectively, for my part, not less than.
Read more: Best things to do in Taipei
2.) Anping Fort
Only a few hundred metres from Anping Market, Anping Fort is a historic spot inside Tainan that’s effectively value visiting for a 45-minute journey while within the metropolis. As soon as right here, you’ll discover the historic fort that dates again centuries. Not solely that, you’ll get to climb the viewing platform for views all throughout Tainan.
There’s a small value for entry, nevertheless it’s effectively value it when in search of one of the best issues to do in Taian.
Afterwards, don’t neglect to book this Tainan tea ceremony that lasts round 90 minutes. It’s an effective way to delve into Taiwan’s wealthy tea heritage, and it’s such a scrumptious expertise.
Read more: Best places in Taiwan to visit
3.) Taijiang Nationwide Park
Noting is just not overly far in Tainan, particularly Taijiang Nationwide Park. It’s a brief switch (about quarter-hour) from the centre of Tainan, and also you’ll get to discover the extra rural areas simply shy of the town limits.
As soon as right here, ensure that to pop over to the Sicao Green Tunnel (Google Maps link), which takes you thru a number of the mangrove waterways right here in Taiwan. Visits take round 25 minutes, and there’s a small price for boarding the boat and you may book tours here. Excursions aren’t in English, they usually don’t have translation instruments, however you may nonetheless benefit from the inexperienced tunnel, which is simple to incorporate on a visit to Tainan.
Afterwards, you may simply pop into the Sicao Dazhong Temple (四草大眾廟) that’s round a 90-second stroll from the Sicao Inexperienced Tunnel Entrance. It’s one of the crucial visually lovely temples in all of Taiwan and is one spot you may’t miss whereas within the wider Tainan space of Taiwan.
Read more: Best things to do in Taipei
4.) Chikan Pharmacy Bar
Most likely one in all my favorite speakeasy bars in Taiwan, the Rooster Pharmacy Bar (Google Maps link) is situated in central Tainan and is effectively value visiting throughout a go to to the town.
Now, there are round eight tables inside, so count on it to be cosy, however this pharmacy-style speakeasy is effectively value visiting for its well-known cocktails. Ask them about their Negroni drinks—they’re so good.
Read more: Best places in Taiwan to visit
5.) YongLe Night time Market
Night time markets in Taiwan are a factor, no extra so than in Tainan (the foodie capital of Taiwan). For those who love markets, one spot it’s essential go to is the YongLe Night time Market (Google Maps link). There are actually a whole lot of stalls, outlets and daily-run companies that make this space so particular.
Now, I’d say visiting within the early night is important. That is when YongLe Night time Market really comes alive. Be sure that to strive the mango shaved ice and the grilled pork you’ll discover in lots of the market spots right here in Tainan.
Oh, and ensure to take money with you. Few of the stalls take vehicles, they usually actually want small notes ($100 or decrease).
Not solely that, you might have a spread of cool little classic shops and cocktail spots, like 台南-秘氏咖啡 (Google Maps link), that are simply gorgeous. Simply keep in mind, these are on the 2nd ground (so, one ground up from the bottom).
On the identical ground, you’ve then received a heap of small unbiased shops, bars and barbers which might be so unbelievable to go to. We cherished it right here and also you’d haven’t any clue they existed when you hadn’t ventured increased than floor stage.
They make a number of the finest espresso cocktails in all of Tainan.
Additionally, don’t neglect about Tainan Backyard Night time Market (Google Maps link). That is one other one in all our favorite evening markets, and you should go to it in Tainan. I’d go so far as to say it’s one in all my favourites in Taiwan. Give your self not less than 2 hours to eat, pursue and discover.
Read more: Best places in Taiwan to visit
6.) Lola
We completely love all of the small unbiased bars and cafes inside Tainan, particularly Lola (Google Maps link), an intimate cash-only bar that serves scrumptious cocktails. Within the night, Lala turns into an intimate speakeasy bar hidden behind the lounge of the budding.
Head inside, seize a drink, and benefit from the unbelievable environment right here.
Read more: Best places in Taiwan to visit
7.) Anping Outdated Avenue
Anping Outdated Avenue (Google Maps link) is a spot to go to when exploring Tainan. It’s among the best issues to do in Tainan when you’ve already visited Anping Fort, the market, and different streets within the space.
As you meander the small streets, ensure that to cease by 安平陶坊(延平店) 劍獅學堂 (Google Maps link). Right here, you’ll discover a pottery portray and making spot that lets you excellent your expertise in all issues pottery. It’s a lot enjoyable, and we spent round 60 minutes designing our pottery items right here.
Read more: Best things to do in Taipei
8.) Chou’s Shrimp Rolls
Well-liked for a purpose! Chou’s Shrimp Rolls (Google Maps link) is an unfussy spot that’s a fantastic lunch spot. There’s nothing massively fancy about Chou’s, however they’re well-renowned for his or her yummy shrimp rolls and congee.
We spent round 45 minutes at lunchtime there and cherished it. Once more, it’s nothing fancy, however the meals is de facto good and nationally famend.
Additionally, don’t neglect about heading to Tainan’s Confucius Temple for a bit of stroll round.
Read more: Best places in Taiwan to visit
9.) Shennong Avenue
Most likely one in all my favorite streets to discover in Tainan, Shennong Street (and the encircling alleys) is a superb place to take in the foodie capital of Taiwan and delve into the dishes and drinks that make this nation so particular.
As you wander down Shennong Avenue (and close by alleys), you’ll come throughout many unbiased companies in Tainan that target high quality dishes and drinks.
We cherished ‘We Drink Beer Firm’ (Google Maps link), which focuses on native brews from the broader Tainan space. The house can also be so lovely. It is perhaps small, nevertheless it doesn’t matter when an area is that this design-led.
Afterwards, proceed strolling the road and stopping by the native cafes and kawaii-style shops that make this space distinctive. We cherished it.
Oh, and don’t neglect to pop into Tainan Confucius Temple (Google Maps link), while you’re in downtown Tainan. It’s unbelievable to see and completely gorgeous to walk round.
Read more: Best things to do in Taipei
10.) Xinyi Avenue
I do know I discussed Lola’s, which is on Xinyi Avenue, earlier than, however I genuinely suppose the entire of Xinyi Avenue (Google Maps link) deserves its very personal point out. We completely love this space of Tainan, and it’s a fantastic place to cease for a night ‘crawl’ by way of a few of Tainan’s finest locations to go to.
Ofcourse, like we talked about earlier than, you’re going to cease at Lola’s (Google Maps link) for a tipple or two. Afterwards, head over to Dano’s Wine and Pasta (Google Maps link) for his or her yummy recent seafood and pasta dishes that are a number of the finest in all of Taiwan. It’s a small little joint nevertheless it’s completely value a go to.
Lastly, head to the 四聯境老古石集福宮 temple (Google Maps link) and discover the non secular historical past of Tainan. Xinyi Avenue actually is particular, and though not the busiest, it definitely packs a punch with cool spots to go to when in search of one of the best issues to do in Tainan. Have enjoyable!
Afterwards, go to the close by Anping Kaitai Tianhou Temple and discover Anping Outdated Avenue with its many little stalls.
Read more: Best things to do in Taipei
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