The primary metropolis in Taiwan and the historic capital of the nation, Tainan, is likely one of the southernmost cities that it’s important to go to whereas exploring Taiwan. It truthfully provides 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 evening 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 essentially the most out of your time in Taiwan, I’m sharing our high issues to do in Tainan whenever you go to the town. It’s one in all 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 totally discover the realm. Though it isn’t big, 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.
Once we visited, we may strive our hand at making honeycomb sugar biscuits throughout the market itself. You pay a small payment (round 60-100 Taiwan {dollars}) and also you’ll make your very personal biscuits on the streetside. We cherished 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 actually embraces its love of candy treats.
Make certain to strive brown sugar cake, pineapple cake, and Taiwanese bubble tea, which is likely one of the greatest on the planet—effectively, in my view, at the very least.
Learn extra: Finest issues 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 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 price for entry, nevertheless it’s effectively price it when on the lookout for the very best 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 just isn’t 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 certain 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 payment 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 some of the visually lovely temples in all of Taiwan and is one spot you possibly can’t miss whereas within the wider Tainan space of Taiwan.
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4.) Chikan Pharmacy Bar
Most likely one in all 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 the town.
Now, there are round eight tables inside, so count on 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). Should you love markets, one spot you must 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’d say visiting within the early night is crucial. That is when YongLe Evening Market actually comes alive. Make certain 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 automobiles, and so they actually choose small notes ($100 or decrease).
Not solely that, you could 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 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 unimaginable to go to. We cherished it right here and also you’d don’t have any clue they existed if you happen to hadn’t ventured larger than floor stage.
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 all our favorite evening markets, and you could 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 at the very least 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 unimaginable environment right here.
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7.) Anping Previous Avenue
Anping Previous Avenue (Google Maps hyperlink) is a spot to go to when exploring Tainan. It’s top-of-the-line 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 certain 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 expertise 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
Widespread for a motive! 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 cherished it. Once more, it’s nothing fancy, however the meals is admittedly good and nationally famend.
Additionally, don’t overlook about heading to Tainan’s Confucius Temple for somewhat stroll round.
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9.) Shennong Avenue
Most likely one in all my favorite streets to discover in Tainan, Shennong Avenue (and the encompassing alleys) is a superb place to absorb 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 impartial companies in Tainan that concentrate on 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 house can also be so lovely. It could 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 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’ 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 few 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 religious historical past of Tainan. Xinyi Avenue actually is particular, and though not the busiest, it actually packs a punch with cool spots to go to when on the lookout for the very best issues to do in Tainan. Have enjoyable!
Afterwards, go to the close by Anping Kaitai Tianhou Temple and discover Anping Previous Avenue with its many little stalls.
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