One of Taiwan’s oldest cities and the former capital, Tainan is a modern city of commerce and trade, history and culture. It is also a religious center, with more than a thousand temples (including Taiwan’s first Confucian temple) plus frequent festivals and parades.
Visitors can obtain ample opportunity to satisfy their appetite. There are numerous famous snacks in Tainan. For example, the coffin-like sandwich called “coffin board,” the braised pork noodles developed by fishermen to ease their way through the slack fishing season; “potside stickers,” rice paste baked into soft pancakes on the side of hot pots, and then cooked into thick soup. Other snacks include glutinous rice dumplings, salty rice pudding, eel noodles, Taiwanese meatballs, spearfish thick soup, glutinous rice cakes, floating fish soup, pyramid dumplings, and fish congee, all available in the night markets.
Video introduction
Historic site
Tainan Confucius Temple
The Confucius Temple in Tainan was built in 1666, it was the first Confucius Temple, before the end of Manchu Dynasty, it was the location of the highest official institute of higher learning in Taiwan. The Taiwan Palace of “Confucianism Study,” it owned the incompatible position of culture and education, and was called “The Highest Institute.” The Confucius Temple has been through more than thirty times of reconstruction, a part of the building was destroyed during the wars or ruined by nature disasters; the present scale of the Confucius Temple was the look after reconstructing during the time when Japanese were ruling (1917), its elegant and simple localization characteristic takes a distinctive attitude of its own among the Confucius Temples buildings in Taiwan.
Anping Castle
A combined Dutch military and commercial force captured modern day Anping in 1624, and built Fort Zeelandia as its defensive stronghold, which was completed in 1634. In 1662, Koxinga successfully took the Dutch fort back, and changed the name to Anping. Today the only remnant of the Dutch period is the southern brick wall outside the front gate of the Old Fort, covered in the tangled roots of old banyan trees, evidence of the nearly 400 years of Taijiang’s history.
Sicao Green Tunnel
The mangrove forests on both sides of the waterways grow together towards the center, intertwining to form a dense semi-dome of green shrubbery, stacking layer upon layer to create a deep corridor, not knowing the end and appearing mysterious, thus giving the Sicao Green Tunnel its moniker “Little Amazon”.
Chihkan Tower
Chihkan Tower is the oldest building in Tainan’s West Central District, and along with Anping District’s Anping Fort, are two of Tainan’s most famous landmarks. Inside are Haisheng Temple, Wengchang Pavilion and Penghu College, and on the lawn outside stands a statue of Koxinga accepting the surrender of the Dutch. The statue is often scrutinized by both domestic and international tourists as they take in his heroic appearance. The most eye-catching things are the 9 imperial plinths at the south gate carried by the turtle-shaped stone Bixi. The Bixi, said to be one of the nine sons of the Dragon King, and fond of carrying heavy objects, have added a great deal to the folklore legends of Chihkan Tower, which are still told today. At night time, Chihkan Tower is surrounded by yellow lighting, adding an ancient charm to the building.
Tainan Art Museumr
Ointly designed by architects Joe Shih and Shigeru Ban Architects, Tainan Art Museum is the work of Pritzker Architecture Prize recipient. The design of the building drew inspiration from Delonix regia and its conspicuous pentagonal contours certainly helped to turn the architecture into a cultural landmark that embodies Tainan. The layered structure of different exhibition spaces coupled with the large fractal roof are the most prominent features of Tainan Art Museum.
Chi Mei Museum
The entrance of the square has a grand Fountain of Apollo, and a bridge crosses the moat with a row of fierce white lion heads along the side and solemn Olympus statues on top. The front entrance of the museum features a tall dome shape and Greek columns, a grand design befitting a palace of cultural treasures. Perched at the building’s highest point is the Angel of Glory statue, a reproduction of the work of French sculptor Louis-Ernst Barrias. Holding a laurel and bugle, her beautiful figure stands forever atop Chimei Museum to symbolize protection of this country,
NCKU Surrounding Food
Three Merchants Qiaofu (三商巧福)
Taiwan’s largest beef noodle chain store provides every guest with a comfortable and warm dining environment, all-hour service, friendly prices, and authentic Taiwanese flavor. It is the best choice for family dinners and friends’ dates. It’s like Chef Qiaofu comes to your home
Keukenhof (庫肯花園餐廳)
Kuken Garden’s menu includes pasta with rich white sauce, popular stews and baked goods, as well as a variety of meat entrées, salads, fries, spicy shrimp, mushroom plates and other à la carte snacks.
Teisyoku (井選日式定食)
The name Teisyoku is derived from the Japanese concept of putting food into a tray. It is a Japanese-style fixed-price meal. The open kitchen is clean, bright and has a very light smell of grease, and it’s a clever way to make the dining space feel more spacious.
X Dining Bistro (艾克斯義式餐酒館)
X Dining Aix-en-Provence uses Italian cooking methods to create delicious dishes that are full of color and flavor. We are an “A.A. No Additives Association Concerned Counseling Store”.
uPoke (夏威夷生魚飯)
The uPoke Hawaiian Sashimi Rice is different from other healthy meals.
There are nearly 20 kinds of staple foods, toppings and sauces that you can mix
freely.
21PLUS (21風味館)
21PLUS takes grilled chicken as the main product and combines it with a healthy diet concept as the menu development feature, so that customers can enjoy exquisite exotic cuisine at the price of a fast food restaurant.
Pho 22 (pho 22河粉)
Pho 22 specializes in Vietnamese noodles with a sour and tangy flavor, and river noodles! The main course is served with crispy sesame chicken, which is served warm and tender on the outside, and topped with a flavorful sesame sauce!
Ezkon restaurant (異人館)
The Ecto House specializes in coffee and mixed cuisine, with more than 50 set menus and à la carte items for you to choose from, and more than 40 types of beverages for you to enjoy.
TonKaTsu (福勝亭日式豬排)
It is a Japanese custom to eat tonkatsu when praying for good luck, because the two sounds after “TonKaTsu” and “KaTsu” are the same, and Japanese people often eat tonkatsu for good luck. “Fuku” means delicious and happy, and “Katsumi” means good luck and victory.
Jamy’s (Jamys潛艇堡)
Jamy’s Submarine Burger is made with lots of veggies and cheese, ham, or some meat wrapped in bread for a refreshing, non-greasy taste.
YuLoong (四海遊龍)
Four Seas Dragon is a fast food chain with a collection of classic Taiwanese cuisine, such as Taiwanese handmade potstickers, signature hot and sour soup, beef noodles and Tainan braised pork rice.
Yujia Vegetable Knife Cut Noodles(余家刀切麵)
Yu’s noodles are always made with spinach dough, which gives them a light green color and makes them unique!
Lin’s Vegetarian (林家素食)
Lin’s Vegetarian Food’s popular dishes such as Hong Kong Style Vegetarian Turnip Cake, Peanut Soup, Sesame Noodles in Casserole, and Ginger and Lion’s Mane Mushroom Risotto are a must-try, non-greasy vegan food with flavors comparable to a meat-based diet!
Tainan Tasty food and Snacks