The primary metropolis in Taiwan and the historic capital of the nation, Tainan, is likely one of the southernmost cities that you must 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 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 prime issues to do in Tainan whenever you go to the town. It’s one among Taiwan’s finest cities to go to while exploring the nation.
1.) Anping Market
Not too removed from Anping Fort, the Anping Market space (Google Maps link) is stuffed 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 world. Though it isn’t large, you’ll find yourself stopping at so many alternative spots alongside the best way in Anping Market and even be part of some native lessons.
Once we visited, we might strive our hand at making honeycomb sugar biscuits inside 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 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.
Be certain that to strive brown sugar cake, pineapple cake, and Taiwanese bubble tea, which is likely one of the finest on the earth—effectively, in my view, no less than.
Read more: Best things 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 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 value for entry, but it surely’s effectively value it when on the lookout for one of the best issues to do in Taian.
Afterwards, don’t overlook to 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.
Read more: Best places in Taiwan to visit
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 the town limits.
As soon as right here, ensure to pop over to the Sicao Green Tunnel (Google Maps link), which takes you thru among 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 book tours here. Excursions aren’t in English, they usually don’t have translation instruments, however you may nonetheless benefit from the inexperienced tunnel, which is straightforward 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 crucial visually lovely temples in all of Taiwan and is one spot you may’t miss whereas within the wider Tainan space of Taiwan.
Read more: Best things to do in Taipei
4.) Chikan Pharmacy Bar
Most likely one among my favorite speakeasy bars in Taiwan, the Rooster Pharmacy Bar (Google Maps link) is positioned in central Tainan and is effectively value visiting throughout a go to to the 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.
Read more: Best places in Taiwan to visit
5.) YongLe Evening Market
Evening markets in Taiwan are a factor, no extra so than in Tainan (the foodie capital of Taiwan). In the event you love markets, one spot you must go to is the YongLe Evening Market (Google Maps link). There are actually lots of of stalls, outlets 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 Evening Market actually comes alive. Be certain 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 automobiles, they usually actually want small notes ($100 or decrease).
Not solely that, you have got a variety of cool little classic shops and cocktail spots, like 台南-秘氏咖啡 (Google Maps link), that are simply gorgeous. Simply bear in mind, these are on the 2nd ground (so, one ground up from the bottom).
On the identical ground, you’ve then acquired a heap of small unbiased shops, bars and barbers which might be so unbelievable to go to. We cherished it right here and also you’d don’t have any clue they existed when you hadn’t ventured larger than floor stage.
They make among the finest espresso cocktails in all of Tainan.
Additionally, don’t overlook about Tainan Backyard Evening Market (Google Maps link). That is one other one among our favorite evening markets, and you have to go to it in Tainan. I’d go so far as to say it’s one among my favourites in Taiwan. Give your self no less than 2 hours to eat, pursue and discover.
Read more: Best places in Taiwan to visit
6.) Lola
We completely love all of the small unbiased bars and cafes inside Tainan, particularly Lola (Google Maps link), 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.
Read more: Best places in Taiwan to visit
7.) Anping Outdated Avenue
Anping Outdated Avenue (Google Maps link) is a spot to go to when exploring Tainan. It’s top-of-the-line issues to do in Tainan when 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 link). Right here, you’ll discover a pottery portray and making spot that means that you can excellent your abilities in all issues pottery. It’s a lot enjoyable, and we spent round 60 minutes designing our pottery items right here.
Read more: Best things to do in Taipei
8.) Chou’s Shrimp Rolls
Well-liked for a cause! Chou’s Shrimp Rolls (Google Maps link) is an unfussy spot that’s an ideal 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 basically good and nationally famend.
Additionally, don’t overlook about heading to Tainan’s Confucius Temple for slightly stroll round.
Read more: Best places in Taiwan to visit
9.) Shennong Avenue
Most likely one among my favorite streets to discover in Tainan, Shennong Street (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 unbiased companies in Tainan that target high quality dishes and drinks.
We cherished ‘We Drink Beer Firm’ (Google Maps link), which focuses on native brews from the broader Tainan space. The area can also be so lovely. It may be small, but it surely 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 link), while you’re in downtown Tainan. It’s unbelievable to see and completely gorgeous to walk round.
Read more: Best things to do in Taipei
10.) Xinyi Avenue
I do know I discussed Lola’s, which is on Xinyi Avenue, earlier than, however I genuinely suppose the entire of Xinyi Avenue (Google Maps link) deserves its very personal point out. We completely love this space of Tainan, and it’s an ideal place to cease for a night ‘crawl’ via a few of Tainan’s finest locations to go to.
Ofcourse, like we talked about earlier than, you’re going to cease at Lola’s (Google Maps link) for a tipple or two. Afterwards, head over to Dano’s Wine and Pasta (Google Maps link) for his or her yummy contemporary seafood and pasta dishes that are among the finest in all of Taiwan. It’s a small little joint but it surely’s completely value a go to.
Lastly, head to the 四聯境老古石集福宮 temple (Google Maps link) 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 one of the best 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.
Read more: Best things to do in Taipei
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