.jpg/300px-Downtown_Tainan(2012).jpg) | ||
| Tainan | ||
| province | ||
|---|---|---|
| Republic of China has no parent region. | ||
| Residents | 1.883.831 (2018) | |
| height | unknown | |
no value for height on Wikidata:  | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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Tainan is the oldest city in Taiwan.
background
Chinese colonization of Taiwan began in Tainan. It's the old capital. It was the seat of the Dutch East India Company until their expulsion in 1662.
getting there
By plane
Tainan has a small regional airport which only has domestic flights mainly to Taipei taking off and landing. There is a military airport in the middle of the city. That is why jet fighters often fly low over the city center.
By train
The THSR has a breakpoint near Tainan. The western lines of the railway stop directly at the city's main station.
mobility
Without a knowledge of the language it is very difficult to take the bus. It is much easier to take a taxi, but you should be able to say the destination in Chinese or at least have the address written on a piece of paper.
The best way to get around Tainan is on foot. To explore Tainan, you need two days and a good map, which you can get at the tourist office.
In the city itself you will find three circular historical "hiking trails", which show the sights in the vicinity. Good starting points are e.g. the Confucius Temple or Fort Provintia. At the crossroads, there are signs indicating the route to the next sight with information on the distance.
Tourist Attractions
Tainan is the city of temples. In the old town you can find temples on every corner. Often the temples are only as big as a room but richly decorated. Due to the high density of temples, there are also fireworks almost every day, as some god always has a holiday.
temple
The main temples in the city:
- 1 Confucius Temple.
Built in 1665, it is the oldest Confucius temple and "first school" in Taiwan. The external facilities and the park are freely accessible. The entrance fee to Ta Cheng Palace is 25 NTD.
Nanmen Rd
- Wufei temple. Temple of the Five Concubines is about 2 km south of the Confucius Temple. The temple is from 1683 and is located on the tomb of the concubines Yuan, Wang, Hsiu Ku, Mei and Ho, who committed suicide to show their loyalty to Prince Ning Ching. The original tombstone is hidden behind the actual altar.
Wufei St
- 2 Koxinga's shrine.This shrine was built in honor of the founder of Taiwan. In addition to a beautiful park and the altar rooms, there is a modern museum next to the shrine.
Kaishan Rd.
- Tian Tan. The Temple of Heaven is the oldest temple in Taiwan. At this point Koxinga prayed to heaven. Those who want to predict the future will find many fortune tellers here.
In an alley next to Jhongyi Rd. Sec. 2
- The Great Queen of Heaven Temple. Opposite the Chihkan Tower. Originally intended as the residence of the last Ming heir, it was converted into the temple of the sea goddess.
- 3 Fahua monastery, Fahua St..Under majestic banjan trees, this temple is a little off the main street, near the five concubines temple.
Koxinga shrine
Tian Tan
Wufei temple
Buildings
- 4 Chihkan Tower.Also Fort Providentia (The name comes from the Chinese "tower of the red-haired barbarians" as the fort was called.) It was once the seat of the Dutch in Taiwan. After the Dutch were defeated by Koxinga, he built his seat of government here. The remains of the fort can be found next to and under the facilities.Price: Entry 50 NTD.
Minzu Rd. Sec. 2
- The old weather station. You can only visit the inside of the weather station from the last century with advance notice.
- Old south gate. The old south gate is located in a beautiful park with a particularly large banjan tree. It is the only city gate still in existence. Right next to the gate you will find a collection of steles with various commandments and praises from the Qing dynasty in Taiwan. All inscriptions can be read in English next to the stele.
- Anping Fort. The old Dutch defenses can be found in the suburb of Anping. It was destroyed in the Opium Wars, but later rebuilt. There is a lookout tower from which you can see the sea.Price: Entry 50 NTD.
- Eternal Golden Castle. The Eternal Golden Castle is also located in Anping. The castle was built in the late Qing Dynasty to protect against Japanese aggressors.Price: Entry 50 NTD.
Museums
- There is a museum right next to the Koxinga Shrine. In the Koxinga Culture Hall you can learn a lot about Koxinga, the Dutch in Taiwan and the expulsion of the Dutch by Koxinga. free entry
- National Museum of Taiwanese Literature
kitchen
There are all kinds of restaurants. Night markets are only open on certain days of the week. There is always one on, but you should find out which one. On the streets you can find various small stalls selling delicious snacks in the evening. You can get along just fine at these stands even without Chinese.
accommodation
The best thing to do is to try to find a hotel in the old town using the well-known internet booking machines. This will be helpful later, as you can walk through everything.
security
As everywhere in Taiwan, apart from driving, there is no need to worry about safety.
