Tainan Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Tainan showing city views, signage and a city

Tainan Travel Guide Video

One of the island's oldest settlements and the region’s former capital, this city’s winding streets tell the story of Taiwan’s history.

Tainan is the cultural heart of Taiwan, home to centuries-old monuments and temples, exciting festivals, a thriving art scene and cuisine that makes the rest of the island envious. Although it might look like any other large Taiwanese city, if you take the time to explore, you will find it is full of traditional, small-town charm and rich history.

Founded as a Dutch colony in 1624, this part of Taiwan was then occupied by the Chinese until the late 19th century. Explore Tainan’s Confucius Temple, the first Confucian temple in Taiwan and, at one time, the highest educational institution on the island. The temple grounds are a popular public gathering place, where you will see locals leisurely strolling, doing tai chi or flying kites.

Wander the streets of Anping, the city’s oldest neighborhood or go for a soak in the famous hot springs at Guanziling. Browse the trendy shops and street murals on Haian Road and then slow down amid the pretty stone pathways and lily ponds in Tainan Park.

Head to one of Tainan’s famous night markets. Hua Yuan Night Market in the north district is the largest outdoor market in Taiwan. Browse the food stalls and find out why Tainan’s cuisine is famous throughout Taiwan. Try a savory oyster omelet or coffin bread, thick fried bread filled with hearty seafood and vegetable chowder.

If you dare, check out the heart-pounding Yanshui Beehive Rockets Festival in February. Ranked among the world’s most dangerous festivals, the event involves the launch of thousands of fireworks and bottle rockets straight into crowds of onlookers.

Tainan is less than four hour’s from Taipei by car or train. You can easily explore the city’s attractions on foot or you can hire a rental scooter, which makes it easy to quickly navigate the busy streets. November and December, as well as March and April, are the best times of year to visit. During these months, the weather is warm and the city receives little rainfall.

Where to stay in Tainan

Tainan Park showing a park and a lake or waterhole

Tainan City Centre

4.5/5(13 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the hot springs and monuments in Tainan City Centre. You might want to make time for a stop at National Museum of Taiwanese Literature or Chihkan Tower.

Tainan City Centre
Tainan which includes night scenes, street scenes and nightlife

West Central District

West Central District is noteworthy for its coffee shops, and you can make a stop at top attractions like National Museum of Taiwanese Literature and Tainan Confucian Temple.

West Central District
Tainan

Anping

You'll enjoy the museums and monuments in Anping. You might want to make time for a stop at Anping Gubao Ancient Street or Fort Zeelandia.

Anping

Yongkang

You'll enjoy the museums and parks in Yongkang. You might want to make time for a stop at Yongda Night Market or Yongkang Park.

Yongkang
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Guiren District

Travellers like the zoo in Guiren District, and Lianxi Pi is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Guiren District
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East District

East District is noteworthy for its shopping, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Dadong Night Market and T.S. Mall.

East District
U.I.J Hotel & Hostel
U.I.J Hotel & Hostel
4 out of 5
No.5, Ln.115, Youai St., West Central Dist., Tainan
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$88 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
AU$88
per night
7 Apr - 8 Apr
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Tainan. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,005 reviews)
"Very cute hotel with great bathroom amenities. Will stay there again!"

Reviewed on 2 Mar. 2024

U.I.J Hotel & Hostel
Lakeshore Hotel Tainan
Lakeshore Hotel Tainan
4 out of 5
No. 269, Section 1, Yongfu Road, West Central District, Tainan
The price is AU$138 per night from 17 Apr to 18 Apr
AU$138
per night
17 Apr - 18 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Tainan. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,631 reviews)
"Clean and convenient."

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 2024

Lakeshore Hotel Tainan
Shangri-La Far Eastern Tainan
Shangri-La Far Eastern Tainan
5 out of 5
89 Section West, University Road, Tainan
The price is AU$172 per night from 15 Apr to 16 Apr
AU$172
per night
15 Apr - 16 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Tainan. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"The staff were very friendly and helpful our whole stay. The rooms are very nice and have a good view of Tainan. The breakfast in the morning was world class, and was the best we had on our trip!"

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Shangri-La Far Eastern Tainan
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Xiao Jiajia
Xiao Jiajia
2 out of 5
13, Alley 18, Lane 125, Guosheng Rd,, Tainan, Tainan City
Stay at this villa in Tainan. Enjoy free WiFi, a terrace, and private yards. Popular attractions Shennong Street and Guohua Street are located nearby. Discover ...
7/10 Good! (2 reviews)
"乾淨 床舒服 蠻好的"

Reviewed on 5 Aug. 2023

Xiao Jiajia
Spring Garden Golf Ranch & Resort
Spring Garden Golf Ranch & Resort
2 out of 5
NO. 46-10, Kanping, Qigu District, Tainan
Stay at this campground in Tainan. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Taiwan Salt Museum and Luermenma Temple are located ...
Spring Garden Golf Ranch & Resort
IMEEK Pet Friendly Tourist Home
IMEEK Pet Friendly Tourist Home
3 out of 5
8, Chongshan 15th St, Tainan
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Tainan. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a terrace. Popular attractions Tainan Municipal Cultural Center and Dadong Night ...
10/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
"很棒的民宿,很適合帶寵物"

Reviewed on 4 Feb. 2019

IMEEK Pet Friendly Tourist Home
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Tainan

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
2
" "5 - Excellent 22.22222222222222%
4 - Good
7
" "4 - Good 77.77777777777777%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
11 Aug 2019

It is a beautiful country and the people are so friendly. Its a lo Ely place to go.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
24 Jul 2019

We were there for a specific purpose but found Tainan enjoyable with plenty of tourist experiences. We visited the Night market which mainly offers food.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
3 May 2019

Some scheduled buses failed to turn up which was frustrating but taxi was a cheap alternative.

4/5 - Good

Winnie
13 Mar 2019

It’s a historical place to visit.

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