Tainan is Taiwan's oldest city, with over 400 years of history dating back to Dutch rule in 1624. During the Cheng Chengg-kung (Koxinga) era (1661), Tainan served as the capital of Taiwan with the establishment of Chengtian Prefecture. The city continued as the provincial capital during Qing rule, preserving the most concentrated cluster of Ming and Qing dynasty historic monuments in all of Taiwan. Tainan is also the only city in Taiwan where the Michelin Guide has significantly featured local snacks and street food, boasting the highest density of culinary offerings in the country. The blend of ancient city charm and snack culture creates unique tourism value.
Chihkan Tower (Fort Provintia) is the most iconic historical landmark in Tainan. With an admission fee of just NT$70, visitors can explore the ruins of the Dutch-built Fort Provintia (constructed in 1624) and the Wenchang Pavilion from the Qing dynasty. Originally a three-story "Red Hair" tower, the structure was damaged by earthquakes and wars over time. The existing main buildings include the Wenchang Pavilion and the Haishen Temple. The Imperial Stele Pavilion houses nine Qing-era imperial steles documenting Taiwan's history. Located in the city center, Chihkan Tower is within walking distance from the train station and major shopping districts, offering excellent accessibility.
Anping Fort (Fort Zeelandia) and Anping Old Street are approximately 500 meters apart, forming a complementary route that combines historical exploration with culinary discovery. Originally built by the Dutch in 1624 as Fort Zeelandia, the surviving remnants primarily include Qing dynasty city walls and Japanese-era western-style buildings, with an admission fee of NT$50. Anping Old Street features over 30 food stalls and snack vendors, including Anping Tofu Pudding (established in 1965, a third-generation traditional tofu dessert), Chou's Shrimp Rolls (a famous fried food veteran shop and popular queue-inducing destination), and Chen's Oyster Rolls (featuring locally-sourced Anping oysters).
Tainan has the highest temple density in Taiwan, averaging more than 3 temples per square kilometer, with the highest concentrations in West Central and North Districts. The Grand Matsu Temple (established in 1665, dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu, Taiwan's first officially-built Mazu temple) is a National Historic Monument; the Sih Temple (established in 1669, dedicated to Guan Yu, the God of War) preserves Qing dynasty wooden architectural structures; and the Confucius Temple (built in 1685 during the Cheng Chengg-kung era, historically known as "Taiwan's First Academy") is the oldest Confucius temple in Taiwan. Most temples offer free admission, with only the Confucius Temple charging NT$25.
Tainan's street food is renowned for its affordable prices and diverse flavors. A typical local specialty can be enjoyed for NT$40-150. Ohi-kue (steamed rice cake) is made from fermented rice batter, yielding a soft and chewy texture, filled with mushrooms and minced pork. The recommended spot is the 60-year-old Wenzhang Zhuangyuan-kue. Coffin Toast (Guancai Ban) is a unique Tainan specialty consisting of thick toast hollowed out and filled with rich gravy, originally invented by vendors in the Sakuraya area. Dan Zai Noodles feature a fresh shrimp broth served with oil noodles and bean sprouts. Du Xiao Yue (established in 1895 in Yanshui, now operating 5 locations in Tainan) is considered the pioneering restaurant of this dish.
Hayashi Department Store, located on Zhongyi Road in West Central District, was constructed in 1932 during the Japanese colonial period and is the only surviving Japanese-era department store building in Tainan. After restoration was completed in 2023, cultural and creative brands have been invited to operate within the premises. Known as "the symbol of Tainan's modernization," the building retains original features including manual elevator holes and terrazzo flooring. Currently, floors one through three house cultural creative shops and restaurants, the fourth floor serves as exhibition space, and the fifth-floor rooftop preserves the original elevator machinery room for visitor inspection. Admission to Hayashi Department Store is free, while elevator access to the rooftop costs NT$30.
For search queries related to "Tainan Travel Guide," a three-day itinerary is recommended focusing on historic sites and culinary exploration: Day 1 visits Chihkan Tower (approximately 1.5 hours) and the Confucius Temple, with lunch featuring Chou's Shrimp Rolls and Ohi-kue; Day 2 explores Anping Fort and Anping Old Street (full day), followed by an afternoon visit to Hayashi Department Store's cultural creative space, and dinner featuring Dan Zai Noodles; Day 3 arranges a temple tour (Grand Matsu Temple and Sih Temple) plus final souvenir and snack shopping. Admission fees total approximately NT$120, with Chihkan Tower at NT$70 and Anping Fort at NT$50.
For a deeper comparison of taste differences and store locations among Tainan's various snack brands, please refer to the complete Tainan Food and Snack Guide, which contains detailed information on the founding years and signature items of each historic shop. For visiting order and transportation arrangements between Chihkan Tower and Anping Fort, additional comprehensive guides for Tainan's historic sites within the city area are available for reference.
【FAQ】
Q1: How much is the admission fee for Chihkan Tower in Tainan?
A1: The admission fee for Chihkan Tower is NT$70, with discounted tickets at NT$35. Admission includes access to the Wenchang Pavilion, Haishen Temple, and Imperial Stele Pavilion within the compound.
Q2: How much is the admission fee for Anping Fort in Tainan?
A2: The admission fee for Anping Fort is NT$50, with discounted tickets at NT$25. Opening hours are daily from 08:30 to 17:30.
Q3: What are the must-try snacks in Tainan?
A3: Must-try Tainan snacks include Ohi-kue (NT$40-60), Coffin Toast (NT$60-80), and Dan Zai Noodles (NT$50-70), all representing authentic local specialties.
Q4: How many temples are there in Tainan?
A4: West Central District in Tainan has approximately 50 temples, averaging more than 3 per square kilometer—the highest density in Taiwan. The Grand Matsu Temple and Sih Temple are designated National Historic Monuments.
Q5: How much is the admission fee for Hayashi Department Store?
A5: Admission to Hayashi Department Store is free. However, elevator access to the rooftop costs NT$30. The cultural creative selection areas on floors one through three do not require tickets.
Q6: How much budget is needed for a three-day, two-night trip to Tainan?
A6: A three-day, two-night trip to Tainan typically costs NT$4,000-6,000, including accommodation (mid-range hotels at NT$1,500-2,500 per night), meals (NT$500-800 per day), admission fees (NT$120), and transportation.
