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 in relation 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 prime issues to do in Tainan while you go to 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 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 large, you’ll find yourself stopping at so many alternative spots alongside the way in which 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 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 strive brown sugar cake, pineapple cake, and Taiwanese bubble tea, which is without doubt one of the finest on this planet—effectively, in my view, no less than.
Learn extra: Greatest 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 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, nevertheless it’s effectively value it when on the lookout for the most effective issues to do in Taian.
Afterwards, don’t neglect to ebook 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 town limits.
As soon as right here, be sure 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 charge for boarding the boat and you’ll ebook excursions right here. Excursions aren’t in English, they usually 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 vital 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 among my favorite speakeasy bars in Taiwan, the Hen Pharmacy Bar (Google Maps hyperlink) is situated 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 Night time Market
Night time markets in Taiwan are a factor, no extra so than in Tainan (the foodie capital of Taiwan). Should you love markets, one spot you’ll want to go to is the YongLe Night time Market (Google Maps hyperlink). There are actually tons of of stalls, outlets and daily-run companies that make this space so particular.
Now, I’d say visiting within the early night is important. That is when YongLe Night time Market really comes alive. Ensure 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, they usually actually desire small notes ($100 or decrease).
Not solely that, you’ve a spread 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 might be so unimaginable to go to. We cherished it right here and also you’d haven’t any clue they existed for those who hadn’t ventured increased than floor degree.
They make a number of the finest espresso cocktails in all of Tainan.
Additionally, don’t neglect about Tainan Backyard Night time Market (Google Maps hyperlink). That is one other one among 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 among my favourites in Taiwan. Give your self no 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 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 probably the greatest issues to do in Tainan for those who’ve already visited Anping Fort, the market, and different streets within the space.
As you meander the small streets, be sure 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 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
Well-liked for a cause! Chou’s Shrimp Rolls (Google Maps hyperlink) is an unfussy spot that’s a fantastic lunch spot. There’s nothing vastly 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 de facto good and nationally famend.
Additionally, don’t neglect about heading to Tainan’s Confucius Temple for a little bit stroll round.
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9.) Shennong Avenue
Most likely one among my favorite streets to discover in Tainan, Shennong Avenue (and the encircling 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 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 is likely to 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 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 a fantastic place to cease for a night ‘crawl’ by means of 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 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 finest 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 Previous Avenue with its many little stalls.
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