{"id":7260,"date":"2025-02-24T13:16:44","date_gmt":"2025-02-24T13:16:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/justpaste.in\/blogs\/10-very-best-things-to-do-in-tainan-taiwan\/"},"modified":"2026-08-04T08:41:37","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T08:41:37","slug":"10-very-best-things-to-do-in-tainan-taiwan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/justpaste.in\/blogs\/10-very-best-things-to-do-in-tainan-taiwan\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Very Best Things to Do in Tainan, Taiwan (Ultimate City Guide)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The first city in Taiwan and the historic capital of the country, Tainan, is one of the southernmost cities that you have to visit while exploring Taiwan. It’s incredible, and it honestly gives Taipei<\/a> (the new capital) a run for its money when it comes to cities to visit while in Taiwan.<\/p>\n

For me, what makes Tainan extra sweet is its food culture. Not only does it have a heap of night markets, it also has a vast mix of stalls and restaurants that make this city the foodie capital of Taiwan.<\/p>\n

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So, to help you get the most out of your time in Taiwan, I\u2019m sharing our top things to do in Tainan when you visit the city. It is one of Taiwan\u2019s best cities to visit whilst exploring the country.<\/p>\n

1.) Anping Market<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Not too far from Anping Fort, the Anping Market area (Google Maps link<\/a>) is filled with hawker-style stores, foodie spots and heaps of independent stores that line the streets here.<\/p>\n

Give yourself around 2-3 hours to fully explore the area. Although it isn\u2019t huge, you\u2019ll end up stopping at so many different spots along the way in Anping Market and even join some local classes.<\/p>\n

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When we visited, we could try our hand at making honeycomb sugar biscuits within the market itself. You pay a small fee (around 60-100 Taiwan dollars) and you\u2019ll make your very own biscuits on the streetside. We loved it.<\/p>\n

Also, don\u2019t forget that Tainan is a sweet city. What I mean by this is that the city loves sweet treats. It\u2019s well known in Taiwan, and Tainan truly embraces its love of sweet treats.<\/p>\n

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Make sure to try brown sugar cake, pineapple cake, and Taiwanese bubble tea, which is one of the best in the world\u2014well, in my opinion, at least.<\/p>\n

For the best hotel in Tainan<\/a>, make sure to book this suite at Silks Place Tainan Hotel<\/a>. We stayed here for a number of days, and it was the perfect hotel, not just because it’s the best in Tainan, but also because it’s so well located. It’s so easy to get around Tainan from this hotel, which makes it perfect when you want to explore the city. Plus, they have this lovely rooftop pool<\/a> that’s great for a dip after a long day exploring! We loved it. <\/p>\n

Read more: Best things to do in Taipei<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

2.) Anping Fort<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Just a few hundred metres from Anping Market, Anping Fort is a historical spot within Tainan that is well worth visiting for a 45-minute trip whilst in the city. Once here, you\u2019ll explore the historic fort that dates back centuries. Not only that, you\u2019ll get to climb the viewing platform for views all across Tainan.<\/p>\n

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There\u2019s a small cost for entry, but it\u2019s well worth it when looking for the best things to do in Taian.<\/p>\n

Afterwards, don’t forget to book this Tainan tea ceremony<\/a> that lasts around 90 minutes. It’s a great way to delve into Taiwan’s rich tea heritage, and it’s such a delicious experience. <\/p>\n

Another gem of a hotel to book in Tainan is the Grand Banyan Hote<\/a>l. It’s a short stroll from Tainan’s main sights, like the Chihkan Tower, and the hotel is incredible. Plus, it’s one of Tainan’s five-star properties<\/a> that is so chic, and these rooms<\/a> are so lovely. <\/p>\n

Read more: Best places in Taiwan to visit<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

3.) Taijiang National Park<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Noting is not overly far in Tainan, especially Taijiang National Park. It\u2019s a short transfer (about 15 minutes) from the centre of Tainan, and you\u2019ll get to explore the more rural areas just shy of the city limits.<\/p>\n

Once here, make sure to pop over to the Sicao Green Tunnel<\/a> (Google Maps link<\/a>), which takes you through some of the mangrove waterways here in Taiwan. Visits take around 25 minutes, and there is a small fee for boarding the boat and you can book tours here<\/a>. Tours aren\u2019t in English, and they don’t have translation tools, but you can still enjoy the green tunnel, which is easy to include on a trip to Tainan.<\/p>\n

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Afterwards, you can easily pop into the Sicao Dazhong Temple<\/a> (\u56db\u8349\u5927\u773e\u5edf) that\u2019s around a 90-second walk from the Sicao Green Tunnel Entrance. It\u2019s one of the most visually beautiful temples in all of Taiwan and is one spot you can\u2019t miss while in the wider Tainan area of Taiwan.<\/p>\n

Read more: Best things to do in Taipei<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

4.) Chikan Pharmacy Bar<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Probably one of my favourite speakeasy bars in Taiwan, the Chicken Pharmacy Bar (Google Maps link<\/a>) is located in central Tainan and is well worth visiting<\/span> during a visit to the city.<\/p>\n

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Now, there are around eight tables inside, so expect it to be cosy, but this pharmacy-style speakeasy is well worth visiting for its famous cocktails. Ask them about their Negroni drinks\u2014they are so good.<\/p>\n

Read more: Best places in Taiwan to visit<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

5.) YongLe Night Market<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Night markets in Taiwan are a thing, no more so than in Tainan (the foodie capital of Taiwan). If you love markets, one spot you need to visit is the YongLe Night Market (Google Maps link<\/a>). There are literally hundreds of stalls, shops and daily-run businesses that make this area so special.<\/p>\n

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Now, I would say visiting in the early evening is essential. This is when YongLe Night Market truly comes alive. Make sure to try the mango shaved ice and the grilled pork you\u2019ll find in many of the market spots here in Tainan.<\/p>\n

Oh, and make sure to take cash with you. Few of the stalls take cars, and they really prefer small notes ($100 or lower).<\/p>\n

Not only that, you have a range of cool little vintage stores and cocktail spots, like \u53f0\u5357-\u79d8\u6c0f\u5496\u5561 (Google Maps link<\/a>), which are just stunning. Just remember, these are on the 2nd floor (so, one floor up from the ground). <\/p>\n

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On the same floor, you’ve then got a heap of small independent stores, bars and barbers that are so incredible to visit. We loved it here, and you’d have no clue they existed if you hadn’t ventured higher than ground level. <\/p>\n

They make some of the best coffee cocktails in all of Tainan. <\/p>\n

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Also, don\u2019t forget about Tainan Garden Night Market (Google Maps link<\/a>). This is another one of our favourite night markets, and you must visit it in Tainan. I\u2019d go as far as to say it\u2019s one of my favourites in Taiwan. Give yourself at least 2 hours to eat, pursue and explore.<\/p>\n

Read more: Best places in Taiwan to visit<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

6.) Lola<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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We absolutely love all the small independent bars and cafes within Tainan, especially Lola (Google Maps link<\/a>), an intimate cash-only bar that serves delicious cocktails. In the evening, Lala turns into an intimate speakeasy bar hidden behind the living room <\/span>of the building.<\/p>\n

Head inside, grab a drink, and enjoy the incredible atmosphere here.<\/p>\n

Read more: Best places in Taiwan to visit<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

7.) Anping Old Street<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Anping Old Street (Google Maps link<\/a>) is a spot to visit when exploring Tainan. It\u2019s one of the best things to do in Tainan if you’ve already visited Anping Fort, the market, and other streets in the area.<\/p>\n

As you meander the small streets, make sure to stop by \u5b89\u5e73\u9676\u574a(\u5ef6\u5e73\u5e97) \u528d\u7345\u5b78\u5802 (Google Maps link<\/a>). Here, you\u2019ll find a pottery painting and making spot that allows you to perfect your skills in all things pottery. It\u2019s so much fun, and we spent around 60 minutes designing our pottery pieces here.<\/p>\n

Read more: Best things to do in Taipei<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

8.) Chou\u2019s Shrimp Rolls<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Popular for a reason! Chou\u2019s Shrimp Rolls (Google Maps link)<\/a> is an unfussy spot that\u2019s a great lunch spot. There\u2019s nothing hugely fancy about Chou\u2019s, but they are well-renowned for their yummy shrimp rolls and congee.<\/p>\n

We spent around 45 minutes at lunchtime there and loved it. Again, it\u2019s nothing fancy, but the food is really good and nationally renowned.<\/p>\n

Also, don’t forget about heading to Tainan’s Confucius Temple<\/a> for a little stroll around. <\/p>\n

Read more: Best places in Taiwan to visit<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

9.) Shennong Street<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Probably one of my favourite streets to explore in Tainan, Shennong Street<\/a> (and the surrounding alleys) is a great place to soak up the foodie capital of Taiwan and delve into the dishes and drinks that make this country so special.<\/p>\n

As you wander down Shennong Street (and nearby alleys), you\u2019ll come across many independent businesses in Tainan that focus on quality dishes and drinks.<\/p>\n

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We loved \u2018We Drink Beer Company\u2019 (Google Maps link<\/a>), which focuses on local brews from the wider Tainan area. The space is also so beautiful. It might be small, but it doesn\u2019t matter when a space is this design-led.<\/p>\n

Afterwards, continue strolling the street and stopping by the local cafes and kawaii-style stores that make this area unique. We loved it.<\/p>\n

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Oh, and don’t forget to pop into Tainan Confucius Temple (Google Maps link<\/a>) whilst you’re in downtown Tainan. It’s incredible to see and absolutely stunning to stroll around. <\/p>\n

Read more: Best things to do in Taipei<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

10.) Xinyi Street<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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I know I mentioned Lola\u2019s, which is on Xinyi Street, before, but I genuinely think the whole of Xinyi Street (Google Maps link<\/a>) deserves its very own mention. We absolutely love this area of Tainan, and it\u2019s a great place to stop for an evening \u2018crawl\u2019 through some of Tainan\u2019s best places to visit.<\/p>\n

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Of course, like we mentioned before, you\u2019re going to stop at Lola\u2019s (Google Maps link<\/a>) for a tipple or two. Afterwards, head over to Dano\u2019s Wine and Pasta (Google Maps link<\/a>) for their yummy fresh seafood and pasta dishes, which are some of the best in all of Taiwan. It\u2019s a small joint, but it\u2019s totally worth a visit.<\/p>\n

Finally, head to the \u56db\u806f\u5883\u8001\u53e4\u77f3\u96c6\u798f\u5bae temple (Google Maps link<\/a>) and explore the spiritual history of Tainan. Xinyi Street really is special, and although not the busiest, it certainly packs a punch with cool spots to visit when looking for the best things to do in Tainan. Have fun!<\/p>\n

Afterwards, visit the nearby Anping Kaitai Tianhou Temple and explore Anping Old Street with its many little stalls.<\/p>\n

Read more: Best things to do in Taipei<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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12 Absolute Best Things To Do in Taipei, Taiwan<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n