Tainan

One of Taiwan's oldest cities, with dense historic sites and temples and a street-food culture famed across the island. Ideal for slow travel.

Tainan lies in southwestern Taiwan and has been a major settlement since the Dutch and Ming Zheng (Koxinga) eras, earning its reputation as Taiwan's ancient capital. Fort Provintia (Chihkan Tower), Anping Fort, the Confucius Temple, Hayashi Department Store and many centuries-old temples trace the city's history, while old districts such as Shennong Street and Zhengxing Street are great for strolling. Local snacks such as beef soup, danzai noodles and milkfish congee are a major draw. On the outskirts are the Chimei Museum, the Qigu salt mountain and the Jingzaijiao tile-paved salt fields. The best time to visit is autumn and winter through early spring, when it is dry and sunny; summers are hot. To get there, take the High Speed Rail to Tainan Station or the Taiwan Railway to Tainan Station.

Destinations

• Tainan

Itineraries

• Classic Taiwan Rail Loop – Connect Taipei, Jiufen, Hualien, Taitung, Kaohsiung, Tainan, and Sun Moon Lake using TRA and THSR trains.
• In-Depth Taiwan Island Self-Drive Loop – Drive clockwise around the island, connecting the North Coast, Suhua, East Rift Valley, Hengchun Peninsula, and Alishan.
• Tainan, Kaohsiung, Xiaoliuqiu and Kenting – Heading south: Tainan's old-city sites, Kaohsiung's harbor-city creative scene, a turtle-watching island and the Kentin…