The First-Timer’s Tainan Travel Guide

EDITOR’S NOTE: Please be advised that this Tainan travel guide hasn’t been updated in 2024. Prices and travel guidelines may no longer be accurate so it’s important that you verify any information before proceeding.

There’s a lot of history in Tainan. I felt it the moment we walked out of that train station. It felt more serious, even ceremonial, like it demanded your reverence and respect. I remember getting a similar feeling when we visited Nagasaki in Japan.

At first, I wasn’t sure if we should make a stop in Tainan. Compared to more contemporary destinations like Taipei or Taichung, it didn’t seem as much fun. Most of its attractions are historical in nature and people who’ve toured Taiwan didn’t make it sound like a top priority. But in spite of that, there was something about it that made me want to go. It’s the oldest city in the country and historically one of its most important. Surely it deserved a spot on our itinerary.

We spent one night in Tainan and truth be told, it wasn’t as much fun as Taipei. It wasn’t as naturally beautiful as Hualien or as laid-back as Kaohsiung, but it has a character all its own that makes it interesting and unique. I like to think of it as the eldest sibling in the family, the one with all the stories to tell and the one you could learn the most from.

GUIDE TABLE OF CONTENTS

TAINAN TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

Because of the pandemic, Tainan travel guidelines have been changing often. Our friends at Booking.com put together a helpful website with detailed information on travel restrictions around the globe.

Before planning a trip to Tainan, be sure to check Booking.com for information on travel restrictions to Taiwan. If you do decide to visit Tainan, then you may want to seriously consider getting travel insurance with COVID coverage.

TAIWAN VISA

Depending on your type of passport, you may need to get a visa and other travel documents to enter Taiwan. Check out iVisa.com to learn about the requirements and to apply for a visa (if necessary).

TAINAN AT A GLANCE

As described, Tainan is the oldest city in Taiwan. It’s commonly referred to as the “Capital City” because of its 200-year history as Taiwan’s capital under Koxinga and Qing Dynasty rule. At its historical heart is Anping District. It’s the oldest urban area in the country and home to some of the city’s most popular attractions like Anping Tree House, Anping Old Street, and Fort Zeelandia.

Fort Zeelandia is of particular historical significance. Built in 1624 by the Dutch East India Company, it was established as a ruling and trading post between China and Dutch-controlled Batavia in Indonesia.

The Dutch settlement in southern Taiwan enjoyed much success in its 38-year history, with Fort Zeelandia becoming the center of Dutch trade between China, Japan, and Europe. The Dutch were overthrown by Koxinga in 1662 and Fort Zeelandia was renamed to its present day Anping.

Today, Tainan is regarded as one of Taiwan’s foremost cultural capitals.

BEST TIME TO VISIT TAINAN

Tainan is located in Southern Taiwan so it doesn’t get as cold there as it does in Taipei. We went in mid-March and apart from some bad luck with rain, the weather was pleasant and comfortable. Opinions vary on best time to go, but based on weather averages, November till April seems ideal. The weather is dry and temperatures are relatively mild.

NOV-APR: Weather in Tainan is most ideal from around mid-November to the first week of April. Temperatures are cool and it doesn’t rain as often. It’s warmer in Tainan than it is in the north, but if you’re particularly sensitive to the cold, then it’s probably best to avoid January and February.

MAY-OCT: It’s rainier and warmer during these months so it’s best to avoid them if you don’t like hot humid weather. Typhoon season typically begins in July and can last till around mid-October.

Climate: Annual Monthly Weather in Tainan

Check out this data from weather-and-climate.com for more on Tainan’s weather. To summarize, I’ve created average temperature and annual rainfall graphs below. Suggested months to visit are marked in orange.

Average Temperature

Annual Rainfall

TRAVELING TO TAINAN

We traveled to Tainan from Taichung by TRA train. The rail system in Taiwan is so efficient and reliable that I don’t think you need to travel between cities any other way. On our last trip, we spent two weeks in Taiwan and traveled between five major cities, all by train.

It’s important to understand that there are two major rail operators in Taiwan – Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR) and Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA). They’re completely independent of each other with their own set of tracks and train stations. Here are the main differences between HSR and TRA trains:

Aside from the trains, you can get to Tainan by bus as well. I’ve created the comparison chart below to quickly summarize the approximate cost and time differences between the three. For comparison’s sake, let’s assume you’ll be traveling to Tainan from Taipei.

By TRA Train

Unless you’re in a rush, then you don’t really have to take the HSR train. We were perfectly fine taking TRA trains throughout our trip. You can check the TRA booking platform for a schedule of trains to Tainan from wherever you are. You can purchase tickets from there as well.

As described, you can purchase TRA tickets as early as two weeks before your trip. Train tickets have been known to run out, especially during peak seasons, so it’s best to get them as early as possible. Check out the TRA website for more information.

By HSR Train

If you need to get to the next city as quickly as possible, then it’s best to go by HSR train. It’ll get you there in half the time. Tickets are more expensive but you can get up to 35% off if you buy them in advance or travel during off-peak hours.

You can check the Taiwan High Speed Rail website for a schedule of trains to Tainan from wherever you are. Like TRA train tickets, it’s a good idea to get your ticket as early as you can.

Klook offers discounts on HSR train tickets as well.

By Bus

Traveling by bus is the cheapest option. Fares may vary depending on the bus company so you can check Klook for more information and to purchase bus tickets to Tainan.

WHERE TO EXCHANGE CURRENCY

Taiwan’s unit of currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD or TWD).

The majority of travelers will enter Taiwan through Taipei so you’ll probably already have NTD with you, but if you need to exchange currency in Tainan, then you can do so at any bank. I suggest going for bigger banks like Bank of Taiwan because smaller institutions may charge a transaction fee.

The great thing about exchanging currency in Taiwan is that it’s strictly regulated by the government. Only banks are allowed to carry out transactions so you never have to worry about winding up at unscrupulous currency exchange offices. Awesome!

If you’d rather not bring too much foreign currency with you, then an alternative would be to withdraw NTD from an ATM. Rates are comparable. Just be sure to inform your bank of your travel plans so they don’t block your card or anything. I’ve tried using my ATM card in several countries and it works in some machines but not in others.

TIP: When withdrawing NTD from an ATM, some machines may ask you if you’d like to proceed “with or without conversion”. Always proceed WITHOUT conversion. Otherwise, you’re authorizing the foreign bank operating the ATM to do the conversion for you (instead of your local bank). This usually leads to highly unfavorable exchange rates. According to this article on Medium, the difference between rates can be 10% or more.

BEST AREAS TO STAY IN TAINAN

There are many areas where you can stay in Tainan but first-time visitors will probably want to stay in the West Central District, especially if you’ll be traveling by TRA train. This will put you close to the train station and many of Tainan’s top tourist attractions.

You can search for accommodations in Tainan’s West Central District on Booking.com. Listed below are a few of the top-rated hotels in the area.

You can also book hotels and homestays in Tainan using the handy map below.

THINGS TO DO IN TAINAN

1. Climb Up Anping Tree House

This is perhaps the most popular tourist attraction in Tainan. At the very least, it’s one of its most interesting.

What’s known today as Anping Tree House occupies the former warehouse of Tait & Company, a Scottish-owned merchant house engaged in the export of granulated sugar and camphor. When they left, the building was used briefly by the Japan Salt Company and Tainan Salt Works before being abandoned in the 1940s.

Over time, a large banyan tree grew and reclaimed the property, covering its walls, roof, and floor with a latticework of roots over the next 70+ years. It was thought of as a haunted house for decades before being reopened to the public as a tourist attraction in 2004. I’m fascinated by the idea of nature reclaiming its own, so Anping Tree House was easily my favorite attraction in Tainan.

You can purchase tickets to Anping Tree House at the door or in advance through Klook. If you plan on visiting several of Tainan historical attractions, then you may be interested in getting a Tainan Historic Sites Pass.

2. Visit Anping Fort (Fort Zeelandia)

Not too far from Anping Tree House is Anping Fort, a fortress built by the Dutch during their 38-year rule over southern Formosa.

As described in a previous section of this guide, it was formerly known as Fort Zeelandia and served as a major trading post and stronghold for the Dutch army and navy. Today, it’s mostly a park with remnants of the original fort and a museum showcasing important historical events from the Dutch occupation.

Anping Fort is between Anping Tree House and Anping Old Street, so you can make a stop here before stuffing your face silly with Tainan’s famous street food. You can purchase tickets to Anping Fort at the door or in advance through Klook.

3. Take Selfies at Blueprint Cultural & Creative Park

We made it a point to visit as many creative parks as we could in Taiwan. To my surprise, this one turned out to be one of our favorites. I wasn’t expecting to find a place like this in the oldest city in Taiwan!

Blueprint Cultural & Creative Park is a relatively new creative park that’s been open for a little over two years. It’s home to several large murals and a section dedicated to “blueprint-style” setups. We’ve been to five of these creative art parks in Taiwan and for us, Blueprint was the most Instagrammable. There are several interesting boutiques here as well so you can easily spend a good two hours here.

On a quick side note, I’ve read a few blog posts that seem to point to a Tainan renaissance. Hipsters are modernizing pockets of the city and this creative park seems to be an example of that. It was our first trip here so I wanted to focus on the traditional, but this hipster side of Tainan is something we’ll definitely be exploring on our next trip to the city.

4. March to the Beat of Ten Drum Rende Creative Park

Like Blueprint, Ten Drum is another creative park located in the Rende District of Tainan. It occupies an abandoned sugar mill that’s been taken over and converted into a rehearsal space by a local drumming troupe called the Ten Drum Art Percussion Group. They stage regular percussion shows here and allow visitors to see the production process of drums.

I really wanted to visit this place but it rained heavily the afternoon (and evening) of our only night in Tainan. It’s a little far as well, about half an hour south of central Tainan by taxi, so we decided to just leave it for another trip. Bummer.

Apart from the percussion shows, I’ve read that what makes Ten Drum Rende Creative Park so interesting is the space itself. It looks like a super fun place to explore with lots to see and do so I suggest visiting this place if you’ll be spending enough time in Tainan.

You can purchase tickets to Ten Drum creative park at the gate or in advance through Klook.

Photo by Romix Image via Shutterstock

Estimated Time to Spend: 2-3 hrs
Admission: NTD 399 per person

5. Visit a Museum

We had limited time in Tainan so we couldn’t go to any, but museum enthusiasts will have lots to keep them busy in Tainan. Listed below are a few notable museums and theme parks you may want to visit in Tainan. Click on the links for more information and to purchase entry tickets.

Please note that some of these museums are a bit far from downtown Tainan. You can refer to this location map to see exactly where they are in Tainan.

TAIWANESE FOOD GUIDE

Your Taiwan experience can’t be complete without visiting at least one night market. There are so many delicious and interesting things to eat in this country. Tainan, in particular, is known for a few specialties like danzai noodles and coffin bread. If you’re wondering what to eat in Tainan, then check out our list of must-try dishes in Taiwan.

TAIWANESE DESSERTS

Taiwan is home to a wealth of delicious street food, but it’s also got some pretty sweet desserts.  If you’ve got a sweet tooth, then check out our list of the most delicious desserts in Taiwan.

WHERE TO EAT IN TAINAN

1. Du Hsiao Yueh

If you were to try just one dish in Tainan, then it should probably be danzai noodles. Danzai noodles are a specialty of Tainan, and Du Hsiao Yueh has been serving it for over 123 years.

Invented by southern Taiwanese fishermen, the dish consists of chewy wheat-based noodles in a seafood and meat broth topped with long-simmered pork and a lone piece of shrimp. At Du Hsiao Yueh, you can get it either wet or dry, both of which are very good.

Du Hsiao Yueh is located at the corner of Chiqian Street and Section 2, Minzu Road. It’s about a 20-minute walk from Tainan TRA Station.

2. Anping Old Street (Yanping Street)

Anping Old Street, or Yanping Street, is near Anping Fort and packed on both sides with old buildings, shops, and food stalls. This is perhaps one of the best places in Tainan to sample the city’s many street food specialties.

As described, one of the dishes Tainan is best known for is coffin bread. It’s basically a thick block of hollowed out fried bread filled with creamy chicken, seafood, or vegetable chowder. As you can see in the picture below, it really does resemble a coffin. It’s a hearty and satisfying snack that reminded me of chicken pot pie or chicken ala king served in a crunchy, bread vessel.

Aside from coffin bread, other dishes you should try along Anping Old Street are dry tossed noodles from Da You Xing Yi Noodles, iced mung bean soup from Jin Hua 61 Tau Suan, and rice cakes from Wang’s Champion Rice Cakes.

3. Flower Night Market

Flower Night Market is Tainan’s biggest night market. In spite of being open for just three days a week (Thurs, Sat, and Sun), it’s become one of Taiwan’s largest and most famous night markets, on par with Shilin in Taipei and Fengjia in Taichung.

I timed our trip so we could be in Tainan on one of the nights it was open but unfortunately, it rained hard that night as previously described. Flower Night Market doesn’t open at all on rainy days so unfortunately, we weren’t able to go. If you’re going to be in Tainan on any of the three nights it’s open, then you should definitely pay this place a visit.

POINTS OF INTEREST IN TAINAN

To help you get your bearings, I’ve created this map so you get a better sense of where everything is. All the places recommended in this guide are pinned on this map. Click on the link for a live version of the map.

HOW TO GET AROUND IN TAINAN

There’s no metro system or Uber in Tainan so we found it a little harder to get around here. Traveling by taxi is the fastest and most convenient but the costs can add up. To give you an idea, the fare from Anping Old Street to Blueprint Cultural and Creative Park cost us NTD 145 each way. The flag-down rate for taxis in Tainan is NTD 90.

We didn’t do it but a more economical way of getting around Tainan is by public bus. There are tourist shuttle buses in Tainan (88 and 99) that take you to many of the city’s main attractions.

Looking at the routes, Bus 88 (Anping Route) takes you to tourist spots within the city, including Anping District and Blueprint Cultural & Creative Park, while Bus 99 (Taijiang Route) makes a few stops in Anping District before taking you farther north. Click on those links for more details on each route.

Bus fares are NTD 18-36 per ride but I believe there are unlimited day passes you can buy from the information kiosk at the Tainan Railway Station. You might want to check that out if you plan on taking either of these buses.

Personally, I’ve always been intimidated by bus routes because I often find them very confusing. I started using the Google Maps app (iOS | Android) in Kaohsiung and I found it to be incredibly helpful.

It tells you exactly how to get from one place to the next using any city’s public transportation system. I’ve always been afraid of hopping onto the wrong bus and getting lost, but this free app makes it practically idiot-proof. Give it a try if you plan on getting around Tainan by bus.

HOW MANY DAYS TO STAY / TAINAN ITINERARY

Compared to bigger cities in Taiwan, we found that there isn’t as much to do in Tainan. If you’re interested only in the attractions located in the downtown area, then I’d say an overnight stay is enough. Otherwise, you might want to stay two nights so you aren’t rushing. Here’s a sample one-day Tainan itinerary to help you plan your trip.

TAINAN TRAVEL TIPS

1. Plan your Trip with Sygic Travel

I’ve been using this handy trip planning app for several years now, ever since it helped me create an itinerary for our first Osaka trip. It’s easy to find a destination’s top attractions. But what’s difficult is putting it all together in an itinerary that makes sense. What this app does is allow you to visualize all points of interest on a map so you can easily create the most efficient itinerary. Check out my post on the Sygic Travel app for more information.

DOWNLOAD: iOS / Android

2. Stay Connected

It goes without saying that having a steady connection to the internet is a must these days, especially when you’re exploring a foreign country. You’ll need it to navigate, convert currencies, and find the coolest bar around your hotel. We never go anywhere now without renting a pocket wifi device first.

To get a steady wifi connection in Taiwan, you need to either rent a pocket wifi device or buy a sim card. We rented a pocket wifi device but either way is fine. You can arrange for both through Klook and pick them up from various airports in Taiwan.

3. Check for Tainan Travel Deals

I love going through online tour providers and finding interesting deals before a trip. Whenever we go to Taiwan, my favorite site to browse through is Klook. They’re a reputable travel booking platform offering lots of activities in Tainan. Check out Klook for a list of travel deals in Tainan.

4. Get Travel Insurance

Though we do buy travel insurance more often now, we don’t always get it before every trip. It really depends on where we’re going and what we’ll be doing.

If we’re just spending a couple of days somewhere stuffing our faces with street food, then we probably won’t get it. But if we plan on doing any outdoor activities like we did in Taiwan, then we’ll definitely get it. Simply put, you never know what could happen on a trip.

We buy travel insurance from SafetyWing or Heymondo. They’re both popular travel insurance companies used by many digital nomads. Follow the links to get a free quote from SafetyWing or Heymondo. Will Fly for Food readers get 5% off on Heymondo when using our link.

5. Bring the Right Power Adapter

Taiwan has Type A and Type B electrical outlets so be sure to bring the right power adapters for your devices. Electrical voltage is 110V and the standard frequency is 60Hz.

Have Fun!

I’m by no means an expert on Tainan but I do hope that you find this post helpful. I’m only sharing some of the things I learned from our trip. If you have any suggestions or want to share your own experiences, then please feel free to do so in the comment section below.

Thanks for stopping by and have an awesome time in Tainan!

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