The primary metropolis in Taiwan and the historic capital of the nation, Tainan, is without doubt one of the southernmost cities that it’s a must to go to whereas exploring Taiwan. It actually offers Taipei (the brand new capital) a run for its cash relating to 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 enormous 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 while you go to 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 crammed with 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 large, you’ll find yourself stopping at so many various spots alongside the best way in Anping Market and even be part of some native courses.
After we visited, we may attempt our hand at making honeycomb sugar biscuits throughout 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 town loves candy treats. It’s well-known in Taiwan, and Tainan really embraces its love of candy treats.
Ensure that to attempt brown sugar cake, pineapple cake, and Taiwanese bubble tea, which is without doubt one of the greatest on this planet—effectively, for my part, not less than.
Learn extra: Finest 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 effectively 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, nevertheless it’s effectively price it when in search of one of the best issues to do in Taian.
Afterwards, don’t neglect 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 town limits.
As soon as right here, ensure that 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 price for boarding the boat and you may e-book excursions right here. Excursions aren’t in English, and so they don’t have translation instruments, however you’ll be able to nonetheless benefit from the inexperienced tunnel, which is straightforward to incorporate on a visit to Tainan.
Afterwards, you’ll be able to 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 some of the visually stunning temples in all of Taiwan and is one spot you’ll be able to’t miss whereas within the wider Tainan space of Taiwan.
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4.) Chikan Pharmacy Bar
In all probability one in every of my favorite speakeasy bars in Taiwan, the Rooster Pharmacy Bar (Google Maps hyperlink) is positioned in central Tainan and is effectively price visiting throughout a go to to town.
Now, there are round eight tables inside, so anticipate it to be cosy, however this pharmacy-style speakeasy is effectively price visiting for its well-known cocktails. Ask them about their Negroni drinks—they’re so good.
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5.) YongLe Evening Market
Evening 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 to go to is the YongLe Evening Market (Google Maps hyperlink). There are actually lots of of stalls, outlets and daily-run companies that make this space so particular.
Now, I’d say visiting within the early night is crucial. That is when YongLe Evening Market really comes alive. Ensure that to attempt 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, and so they actually desire small notes ($100 or decrease).
Not solely that, you’ve a variety of cool little classic shops and cocktail spots, like 台南-秘氏咖啡 (Google Maps hyperlink), that are simply beautiful. Simply keep in mind, these are on the 2nd ground (so, one ground up from the bottom).
On the identical ground, you’ve then bought a heap of small impartial shops, bars and barbers which can be so unbelievable to go to. We cherished it right here and also you’d haven’t any clue they existed in case you hadn’t ventured increased than floor stage.
They make a number of the greatest espresso cocktails in all of Tainan.
Additionally, don’t neglect about Tainan Backyard Evening 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 environment 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 among the best issues to do in Tainan in case 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 hyperlink). Right here, you’ll discover a pottery portray and making spot that lets you excellent your abilities in all issues pottery. It’s a lot enjoyable, and we spent round 60 minutes designing our pottery items right here.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Taipei
8.) Chou’s Shrimp Rolls
Fashionable for a purpose! Chou’s Shrimp Rolls (Google Maps hyperlink) is an unfussy spot that’s a terrific 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 actually good and nationally famend.
Additionally, don’t neglect about heading to Tainan’s Confucius Temple for a bit stroll round.
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9.) Shennong Road
In all probability one in every of my favorite streets to discover in Tainan, Shennong Road (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 Road (and close by alleys), you’ll come throughout many impartial companies in Tainan that target high quality dishes and drinks.
We cherished ‘We Drink Beer Firm’ (Google Maps hyperlink), which focuses on native brews from the broader Tainan space. The area can also be so stunning. It may be 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 hyperlink), while you’re in downtown Tainan. It’s unbelievable to see and completely beautiful 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 terrific place to cease for a night ‘crawl’ by way of 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 recent seafood and pasta dishes that are a number of the greatest in all of Taiwan. It’s a small little joint nevertheless 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 non secular historical past of Tainan. Xinyi Road 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 Previous Road with its many little stalls.
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