Tainan

Tainan is one of the older cities in Taiwan, located in the southern portion of the island, and is a great place to live and visit. The city is sometimes known as “the City of the Phoenix” because of its continuous history of comebacks and redefinitions. However, in the olden days, Tainan was known as Tayouan, which is considered to be the origin of the name Taiwan.

Regarded as the cultural capital of Taiwan because of its ancient Confucian school/temple, Tainan was built around 1665. The city also houses several other historical structures, including the remains of the ancient city gates. It’s also known for its night markets and local snack food. The dan dan noodles, oysters and thin noodles, oyster omelettes, elite cakes, and Tainan’s ‘coffin’ toast, are some of the food items that you’ll remember forever.

What to see & do in Tainan

Where & what to eat in Tainan

The dining and food scene in Tainan contains an excellent selection of budget-friendly local joints and street stalls. Many are family-run, and showcase the famously friendly and efficient service of the city. As with anywhere else in Taiwan, night markets are a great place to find tasty local snacks at low prices. Fine-dining restaurants are a little harder to find in Tainan, but there are some around the central area of...

10 Best Tainan Foods Everyone Should Try
Many visitors come to Tainan just to taste all kinds of food from morning until night at restaurants and snack stalls. It's no wonder that Tainan has a reputation as a foodie capital. The coast of Tainan is famous for...
10 Best Restaurants in Tainan
In the most popular restaurants in Tainan, you can enjoy traditional local snacks as well as more exotic dishes. MAOFUN...
4 Best Restaurants in Tainan
Tainan is the oldest city in Taiwan, and its long history has created a diverse and well-stocked dining scene. Alongside...

Where to shop & what to buy in Tainan

Tainan has a great choice of shopping options, from budget night markets to mid-range shopping streets to high-end department stores. Streets like Fuzhong and Guohua are particularly interesting, offering fun experiences alongside excellent bargains on unique souvenirs. Perhaps the most attractive feature of shopping in Tainan is the fact that the prices tend to be lower than they are in Taipei. The night markets of Tainan are especially cheap, and are...

6 Best Shopping in Tainan
Tainan is an interesting shopping destination, offering both budget night markets and high-end department stores within a relatively small area. There are a few main streets and areas that are heaven for shoppers, where practically every building is a store...
10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Tainan
Tainan has many shopping districts which are well worth a visit if you want to take a break from sightseeing. The Confucius Temple, Haian Road, Guohua Street and Zhongzheng Road areas have distinctive local features as well as a wide...

Where to go & what to do at night in Tainan

Tainan’s nightlife is pretty fun and lively, with a distinctly retro look and feel to many of the best joints. Expect houses with ‘70s-style décor, a small snack menu and an impressive choice of European beers. If you’re hoping to find the same high-energy nightclubs you can enjoy in Taipei, you’re out of look. The vibe is a lot more relaxed here. Night markets make up a big part of the...

10 Best Nightlife Experiences in Tainan
These popular nightlife experiences in Tainan are excellent for those who prefer a family-friendly way of sightseeing after sunset. The city has plenty of cultural parks with vibrant light shows, as well as alleyways and Buddhist shrine that are lit...
5 Best Nightlife in Tainan
The nightlife in Tainan is very tame compared to Taipei’s, but still has a lot of fun to offer. Haian Road is an excellent place to start, especially if you want to enjoy simple street nightlife. The sidewalks here are...

Useful information

Tainan Information
The city of Tainan is the oldest in Taiwan. After the end of Dutch domination on the island, Tainan became Taiwan’s administrative centre and remained as such from 1662 to 1887. The Japanese contributed a lot to the restructuring and urban planning of the city, at the start of the 20th century. Since then, Tainan has developed into a historical...
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