The primary metropolis in Taiwan and the historic capital of the nation, Tainan, is without doubt one of the southernmost cities that it’s important to 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 additional candy is its meals tradition. Not solely does it have a heap of night time markets, it additionally has an unlimited mixture of stalls and eating places that make this metropolis the foodie capital of Taiwan.
So, that can assist you get probably the most out of your time in Taiwan, I’m sharing our high issues to do in Tainan once you go to the town. It’s one in every of Taiwan’s greatest cities to go to while exploring the nation.
1.) Anping Market
Not too removed from Anping Fort, the Anping Market space (Google Maps hyperlink) is full of hawker-style shops, foodie spots and heaps of impartial shops that line the streets right here.
Give your self round 2-3 hours to completely discover the world. Though it isn’t enormous, you’ll find yourself stopping at so many alternative spots alongside the best way in Anping Market and even be part of some native courses.
Once we visited, we might strive our hand at making honeycomb sugar biscuits throughout the market itself. You pay a small charge (round 60-100 Taiwan {dollars}) and also you’ll make your very personal biscuits on the streetside. We beloved it.
Additionally, don’t overlook 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 to strive brown sugar cake, pineapple cake, and Taiwanese bubble tea, which is without doubt one of the greatest on the planet—nicely, for my part, not less than.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Taipei
2.) Anping Fort
Just some hundred metres from Anping Market, Anping Fort is a historic spot inside Tainan that’s nicely price 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, however it’s nicely price it when searching for the most effective issues to do in Taian.
Afterwards, don’t overlook to e book this Tainan tea ceremony that lasts round 90 minutes. It’s a good way to delve into Taiwan’s wealthy tea heritage, and it’s such a scrumptious expertise.
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3.) Taijiang Nationwide Park
Noting will not be 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, be sure to pop over to the Sicao Inexperienced Tunnel (Google Maps hyperlink), which takes you thru a number of the mangrove waterways right here in Taiwan. Visits take round 25 minutes, and there’s a small charge for boarding the boat and you’ll e book excursions right 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 visually lovely temples in all of Taiwan and is one spot you may’t miss whereas within the wider Tainan space of Taiwan.
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4.) Chikan Pharmacy Bar
Most likely one in every of my favorite speakeasy bars in Taiwan, the Rooster Pharmacy Bar (Google Maps hyperlink) is positioned in central Tainan and is nicely price 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 nicely price visiting for its well-known cocktails. Ask them about their Negroni drinks—they’re so good.
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5.) YongLe Night time Market
Night time markets in Taiwan are a factor, no extra so than in Tainan (the foodie capital of Taiwan). When you love markets, one spot you should go to is the YongLe Night time Market (Google Maps hyperlink). There are actually tons of of stalls, retailers and daily-run companies that make this space so particular.
Now, I might say visiting within the early night is crucial. That is when YongLe Night time Market really comes alive. Be sure to strive the mango shaved ice and the grilled pork you’ll discover in most 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 favor small notes ($100 or decrease).
Not solely that, you’ve got a variety of cool little classic shops and cocktail spots, like 台南-秘氏咖啡 (Google Maps hyperlink), that are simply gorgeous. Simply keep in mind, these are on the 2nd flooring (so, one flooring up from the bottom).
On the identical flooring, you’ve then received a heap of small impartial shops, bars and barbers which are so unbelievable to go to. We beloved it right here and also you’d don’t have any clue they existed if you happen to hadn’t ventured increased than floor degree.
They make a number of the greatest espresso cocktails in all of Tainan.
Additionally, don’t overlook about Tainan Backyard Night time Market (Google Maps hyperlink). That is one other one in every of our favorite night time markets, and you have to go to it in Tainan. I’d go so far as to say it’s one in every of my favourites in Taiwan. Give your self not less than 2 hours to eat, pursue and discover.
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6.) Lola
We completely love all of the small impartial bars and cafes inside Tainan, particularly Lola (Google Maps hyperlink), 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 ambiance right here.
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7.) Anping Previous Road
Anping Previous Road (Google Maps hyperlink) is a spot to go to when exploring Tainan. It’s the most effective issues to do in Tainan if you happen to’ve already visited Anping Fort, the market, and different streets within the space.
As you meander the small streets, be sure to cease by 安平陶坊(延平店) 劍獅學堂 (Google Maps hyperlink). Right here, you’ll discover a pottery portray and making spot that permits you to excellent your abilities in all issues pottery. It’s a lot enjoyable, and we spent round 60 minutes designing our pottery items right here.
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8.) Chou’s Shrimp Rolls
Fashionable for a purpose! Chou’s Shrimp Rolls (Google Maps hyperlink) 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 beloved it. Once more, it’s nothing fancy, however the meals is actually good and nationally famend.
Additionally, don’t overlook about heading to Tainan’s Confucius Temple for a little bit stroll round.
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9.) Shennong Road
Most likely one in every of my favorite streets to discover in Tainan, Shennong Road (and the encompassing 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 Road (and close by alleys), you’ll come throughout many impartial companies in Tainan that target high quality dishes and drinks.
We beloved ‘We Drink Beer Firm’ (Google Maps hyperlink), which focuses on native brews from the broader Tainan space. The house can be so lovely. It is perhaps small, however 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 beloved it.
Oh, and don’t overlook to pop into Tainan Confucius Temple (Google Maps hyperlink), while you’re in downtown Tainan. It’s unbelievable to see and completely gorgeous to walk round.
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10.) Xinyi Road
I do know I discussed Lola’s, which is on Xinyi Road, earlier than, however I genuinely suppose the entire of Xinyi Road (Google Maps hyperlink) 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 a few of Tainan’s greatest locations to go to.
Ofcourse, like we talked about earlier than, you’re going to cease at Lola’s (Google Maps hyperlink) for a tipple or two. Afterwards, head over to Dano’s Wine and Pasta (Google Maps hyperlink) for his or her yummy contemporary seafood and pasta dishes that are a number of the greatest in all of Taiwan. It’s a small little joint however it’s completely price a go to.
Lastly, head to the 四聯境老古石集福宮 temple (Google Maps hyperlink) and discover the religious historical past of Tainan. Xinyi Road actually is particular, and though not the busiest, it actually packs a punch with cool spots to go to when searching for the most effective issues to do in Tainan. Have enjoyable!
Afterwards, go to the close by Anping Kaitai Tianhou Temple and discover Anping Previous Road with its many little stalls.
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