12 Cool Things to Do in Tainan

Tainan's rich history comes alive at the 17th-century Anping Fort and mystical Anping Tree House, where banyan roots embrace ancient walls. You'll discover cultural treasures at Chihkan Tower, experience serenity at the Confucius Temple, and explore the lively art scene on Shennong Street. Don't miss gliding through the Sicao Green Tunnel's mangrove canopy, climbing Cigu Salt Mountain, or admiring the Taiwan Art Museum's exhibitions. There's even more to uncover in Taiwan's oldest city.

Key Points

• Visit Anping Fort and walk its 70-meter Dutch fortress walls while learning about Koxinga's historic siege in 1662.
• Experience Guanziling's unique mud hot springs and "Fire & Water Spring" at Biyun Temple featuring natural gas flames.
• Explore the enchanting Sicao Green Tunnel by bamboo raft, observing wildlife under a natural mangrove canopy.
• Discover the Anping Tree House where banyan trees intertwine with a 19th-century British warehouse creating architectural art.
• Climb Cigu Salt Mountain and taste salt-infused treats while exploring Taiwan's solar salt production history.

Visit the Ancient Anping Fort (Fort Zeelandia)

Standing as Taiwan's oldest fortress, Anping Fort offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into the island's colonial history, where Dutch traders once controlled essential East Asian shipping routes.

Built in 1624, this historic Dutch fortress served as a crucial stronghold for controlling maritime trade throughout East Asia.

You'll discover dramatic 70-meter sections of original Dutch walls, built with VOC bricks and oyster shell mortar, alongside a striking white observation tower that's become Tainan's iconic landmark. The fort was originally constructed using bricks from Batavia between 1624 and 1634.

Visit between 8:30 AM and 5:30 PM daily, with tickets costing NT$50 (NT$25 for concessions).

While exploring the on-site museum, you'll learn about the famous 1662 siege when Koxinga expelled the Dutch after a nine-month blockade.

Don't miss the shaded courtyards with ancient banyan trees, and afterward, you can stroll down nearby Anping Old Street to sample traditional snacks like prawn crackers.

Explore the Historic Chihkan Tower

Originally constructed as Fort Provintia by Dutch colonizers in 1653, Chihkan Tower now stands as one of Tainan's most treasured historical landmarks, blending European and Asian architectural elements.

You'll discover nine dragon-headed turtle statues carrying ancient granite tablets, while impressive Chinese pavilions, including Haishen Temple and Wenchang Pavilion, sit atop Dutch foundations. The Chinese originally referred to this magnificent structure as the Red-haired Peoples Tower. The tower's illuminated yellow lighting creates a magical atmosphere after dark.

Visit between 8:30 AM and 9:30 PM for NT$70 to explore museum exhibits detailing colonial changes and climb to the pavilion rooftops for panoramic city views.

Students often pray at Wenchang Pavilion for academic success, and you can catch cultural events in the front square.

Reach the tower via a 15-minute walk from Tainan Station or take buses 3, 5, 88, or 99.

Discover the Mystical Anping Tree House

When banyan trees gradually overtook an abandoned 19th-century British trading warehouse, they created one of Tainan's most fascinating architectural marvels, the Anping Tree House.

You'll discover an extraordinary fusion of nature and architecture, where massive banyan roots have merged with brick walls, forming natural pillars that support the structure's collapsed sections.

You can explore this unique site daily from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with admission at NT$50 for adults.

For the best experience, arrive before 10 AM to catch ideal lighting and avoid crowds.

Metal staircases and elevated walkways let you examine the intertwined tree-structure dynamics up close, while educational displays explain the fascinating banyan biology.

Before being transformed into a tourist attraction, the site was known as the Haunted House by locals due to its eerie, abandoned state.

Don't miss the adjacent Tait & Co. Merchant House museum, which showcases colonial-era artifacts that bring the building's trading history to life.

Wander Through Shennong Street

Tucked away in Tainan's historic heart, Shennong Street captivates visitors with its fascinating blend of Fujian-style architecture, Dutch colonial influences, and lively artistic spirit.

You'll encounter vintage shophouses transformed into indie galleries, craft shops, and atmospheric bars like TAIKOO, where a second-floor balcony offers prime people-watching.

Visit after sunset when lanterns illuminate the 90-meter cobblestone street, and the area's bohemian character truly comes alive. The street really awakens as stores open after dinner, creating a vibrant nighttime atmosphere.

You'll come across artisanal workshops, cultural festivals, and the century-old Shuixian Temple Market nearby.

While photography is limited in shops to protect original designs, you can easily spend 1-2 hours exploring the narrow lanes.

Access the street via bus 99 on weekends, or grab an Uber from Anping District to experience this creative enclave.

Experience the Sacred Confucius Temple

Standing as Taiwan's oldest and most revered Confucian temple, this magnificent 17th-century complex spans over 9,000 square meters in Tainan's West Central District.

The temple's architecture showcases traditional Chinese symmetry throughout its design, making it a stunning example of period craftsmanship.

You'll discover 15 distinct buildings, including the impressive Dacheng Hall and Minglun Hall, surrounded by peaceful courtyards and the serene Pan Pond.

Visit between 8:30 AM and 5:30 PM daily, with a modest entry fee of NT $40 to access the main halls, while the outer gardens remain free to explore.

If you're lucky, you might catch the grand Confucius Memorial Ceremony on September 28th, featuring traditional music and dance performances.

Don't miss the ancient stone tablets displaying Confucian teachings, and consider joining a guided tour in English to fully appreciate this historic site's significance as Taiwan's first academy.

Marvel at the Chimei Museum

The magnificent Chimei Museum houses three extraordinary collections that will astonish you: the world's largest violin collection, masterful Western artworks spanning seven centuries, and fascinating natural history exhibits from across five continents.

Step into a world where violins, Western masterpieces and natural wonders unite to create Taiwan's most diverse museum experience.

This architectural marvel, which resembles a mix of the White House and St. Peter's Basilica, is located just 15 minutes from Tainan HSR Station. The entrance, adorned with statues of the Twelve Olympians and a replica of Versailles' Fountain of Apollo, sets the stage for the wonders within. Founded by amateur violinist Shi Wen-long in 1992, the museum has become one of Taiwan's most significant cultural institutions with 1.5 million visitors in 2015.

Visit between 9:30 AM and 5:30 PM any day except Wednesdays, and be sure to book your tickets online. While the NT$200 admission fee applies to most visitors, Tainan residents can enter free.

Don't miss the upcoming "Masterpieces from National Gallery, London" exhibition featuring works by Raphael and Van Gogh.

Tour the Eternal Golden Castle

Built in 1876 as Taiwan's first Western-style fortress, Eternal Golden Castle stands as a remarkable tribute to the island's turbulent military history.

You'll discover a star-shaped fortification surrounded by a vast moat, where daily cannon-firing demonstrations bring the fortress's military past to life. The fortress remained active until it was sold to Japan in 1895.

While exploring this national historic site, you'll encounter:

1. Original British Armstrong cannons positioned along the fortress walls
2. A historic brick tunnel entrance with its preserved drawbridge mechanism
3. Underground chambers that once served as kitchens and ammunition storage
4. A central drill square where 1,500 troops once trained

Don't miss the opportunity to walk the bastioned angles, which were specifically designed for crossfire defense, offering strategic views that helped protect Taiwan's coastline during conflicts with French and Japanese forces.

Relax at Guanziling Mud Hot Springs

Nestled in northeastern Tainan's Baihe District, Guanziling's rare mud hot springs offer visitors a uniquely therapeutic experience as one of only three such sites worldwide.

Originally discovered by Japanese colonists, the hot springs have been drawing visitors seeking wellness benefits for over a century.

You'll discover several spa facilities offering both public and private pools filled with mineral-rich, 75°C alkaline mud that's known to improve skin health and soothe muscle pain.

For the best experience, head to King's Garden Villa, where you can enjoy mud and non-mud pools for around NT$350, or book a private room at Guan-Zih-Ling Toong Mao Spa Resort.

While you're there, don't miss the fascinating "Fire & Water Spring" at Biyun Temple, where natural gas creates flames above the spring water.

For spectacular views, climb the 300-step Haohanpo Trail to Lingding Park, overlooking the Chianan Plain.

Navigate the Sicao Green Tunnel

Winding through dense mangrove forests in Taijiang National Park, Sicao Green Tunnel offers visitors a mesmerizing 30-minute bamboo raft journey into Taiwan's "Little Amazon."

You'll glide beneath an emerald canopy formed by four species of mangroves, while expert guides point out the tunnel's rich ecosystem, including fiddler crabs, mudskippers, and various water birds. Each boat can accommodate 50 passengers comfortably during the scenic journey.

For the best experience, remember these essentials:

1. Book tickets online (NT$200 for adults) and arrive before 3:30 PM
2. Visit during morning hours to avoid crowds and catch the "Angel's Kiss" reflections
3. Wear comfortable clothes and use the provided sun hats for protection
4. Consider combining your visit with nearby attractions like Anping Tree House or the historic Sicao Dazhong Temple

Admire the Grand Mazu Temple

A majestic tribute to Taiwan's religious heritage, the Grand Mazu Temple stands as both a former Ming prince's palace and Taiwan's first official temple dedicated to the beloved sea goddess Mazu.

You'll find yourself immersed in centuries of history as you explore the temple's four-hall layout, where original Ming palace features blend seamlessly with religious architecture.

Don't miss the rare Qing-era artifacts, including the 300-year-old golden Mazu statue and intricately carved beams. Keep an eye out for unique deity statues like the Thousand-Mile Eye and Wind-Following Ear.

You're welcome to visit daily from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and it's just a five-minute walk from Chihkan Tower.

For the best experience, come during the evening when the illuminated architecture creates a mystical atmosphere. Singles often visit the temple's Altar of Yue Lao to pray for finding their future spouse.

Learn at the Tainan Art Museum

The stunning Tainan Art Museum brings together historical and modern architecture through its two distinct buildings – a restored 1930s Art Deco police station and a contemporary structure inspired by flowering trees.

You'll encounter 33 galleries showcasing both Taiwanese art history and international exhibitions, including an impressive collection of works dating back to the 17th century.

The museum sadly lost its founding chairman and artist Chen Huei-dung in late 2024.

During your visit, you can:

1. Explore the ochre-yellow tiled Art Deco building's 16 galleries
2. Admire the fractal roof design creating shaded terraces in the modern wing
3. Browse limited-edition items at the museum shop
4. Relax at the free-access courtyard café

Visit between 10 AM and 6 PM any day except Monday, with extended hours until 9 PM on Saturdays in Building 2.

You'll locate the museum within walking distance of Tainan Railway Station, making it easily accessible by public transport.

Climb the Cigu Salt Mountain

Rising dramatically against Tainan's coastal skyline, Cigu Salt Mountain stands as a striking 20-meter-tall monument to Taiwan's centuries-old salt industry.

You'll discover a unique snow-like landscape created by 39,000 tons of hardened solar-dried salt, which you can explore by climbing the compressed salt staircases to the summit.

Visit between 9 AM and 6 PM (March-October) or 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM (November-February), with admission costing NT$130 for adults.

Plan your visit during daylight hours year-round, with slightly extended summer hours. Adult entry fee: NT$130.

Don't miss the Taiwan Salt Museum's exhibits, or try salt-infused treats like ice cream and tea eggs. The site proudly preserves 338 years of solar salt production history until operations ceased in 2002. You can even join DIY workshops for salt-art bottles and bittern tofu making.

If you're driving, it's a 50-minute trip from central Tainan, or catch Bus #99 from Tainan Station on weekdays.

The Wrap Up

From exploring the world's most enchanting ancient fort to charting a course through mystical green tunnels, you will discover that Tainan offers an unforgettable journey through Taiwan's rich cultural heritage. Whether you're climbing the unique Salt Mountain, wandering historic streets, or discovering hidden temples, these 12 attractions showcase why Tainan remains Taiwan's cultural capital. Don't miss the chance to experience these remarkable sites that perfectly blend the city's past with its lively present.