The primary metropolis in Taiwan and the historic capital of the nation, Tainan, is likely one of the southernmost cities that you need to go to whereas exploring Taiwan. It actually offers Taipei (the brand new capital) a run for its cash with regards to 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 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 will help you get essentially 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 unbiased shops that line the streets right here.
Give your self round 2-3 hours to totally discover the realm. 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 a part of some native courses.
After we visited, we may strive 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 beloved it.
Additionally, don’t overlook 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.
Be sure that to strive brown sugar cake, pineapple cake, and Taiwanese bubble tea, which is likely one of the greatest on the earth—effectively, in my view, 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 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 price for entry, nevertheless it’s effectively value it when on the lookout 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 an effective 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 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 town limits.
As soon as right here, ensure to pop over to the Sicao Inexperienced Tunnel (Google Maps hyperlink), which takes you thru a few 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 possibly can nonetheless benefit from the inexperienced tunnel, which is straightforward to incorporate on a visit to Tainan.
Afterwards, you possibly can 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 possibly can’t miss whereas within the wider Tainan space of Taiwan.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Taipei
4.) Chikan Pharmacy Bar
In all probability one in every of my favorite speakeasy bars in Taiwan, the Hen Pharmacy Bar (Google Maps hyperlink) is positioned in central Tainan and is effectively value 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 value 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). Should you love markets, one spot you have to go to is the YongLe Evening Market (Google Maps hyperlink). There are actually a whole lot of stalls, retailers and daily-run companies that make this space so particular.
Now, I might say visiting within the early night is important. That is when YongLe Evening 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, and so they actually choose small notes ($100 or decrease).
Not solely that, you may have 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 bear 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 unbiased shops, bars and barbers which can be so unimaginable to go to. We beloved it right here and also you’d haven’t any clue they existed in case you hadn’t ventured greater than floor degree.
They make a few of the greatest espresso cocktails in all of Tainan.
Additionally, don’t overlook about Tainan Backyard Evening Market (Google Maps hyperlink). That is one other one in every of our favorite night time markets, and you should 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 unbiased 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 unimaginable ambiance right here.
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7.) Anping Outdated Avenue
Anping Outdated Avenue (Google Maps hyperlink) is a spot to go to when exploring Tainan. It’s among the finest 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 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 means that you can good 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
In style for a cause! Chou’s Shrimp Rolls (Google Maps hyperlink) is an unfussy spot that’s an amazing 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 Avenue
In all probability one in every of my favorite streets to discover in Tainan, Shennong Avenue (and the encompassing alleys) is a good 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 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, 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 beloved it.
Oh, and don’t overlook to pop into Tainan Confucius Temple (Google Maps hyperlink), while you’re in downtown Tainan. It’s unimaginable to see and completely beautiful to walk round.
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10.) Xinyi Avenue
I do know I discussed Lola’s, which is on Xinyi Avenue, earlier than, however I genuinely assume the entire of Xinyi Avenue (Google Maps hyperlink) deserves its very personal point out. We completely love this space of Tainan, and it’s an amazing place to cease for a night ‘crawl’ via 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 few of the greatest 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 hyperlink) and discover the religious 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 on the lookout for the most effective 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.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Taipei
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