Tainan

Travel Guide

Taijiang National Park showing a river or creek, a ferry and a temple or place of worship
Tainan which includes a city, signage and cbd
Tainan Park featuring outdoor art and a park
Tainan
Tainan

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 lake or waterhole and a garden

Tainan City Centre

4/5(1 area review)

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, nightlife and street scenes

West Central District

West Central District is noteworthy for its coffeehouses, 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 Zeelandia City Museum.

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

Xinying

Though Xinying might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Tainan Municipal Xinying Stadium and Yuejingang Riverside Park.

Xinying
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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 Tainan Municipal Cultural Center.

East District
Lakeshore Hotel Tainan
Lakeshore Hotel Tainan
4 out of 5
No. 269, Section 1, Yongfu Road, West Central District, Tainan
The price is P4,748 per night from 9 Apr to 10 Apr
P4,748
P5,484 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 9 - Apr 10
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Tainan. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,681 reviews)
Value for money
"Very good location, good service therecia a wide spread of breakfast. Value for money."

Reviewed on Mar 9, 2025

Lakeshore Hotel Tainan
Shangri-La Far Eastern Tainan
Shangri-La Far Eastern Tainan
5 out of 5
89 Section West, University Road, Tainan
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P5,845 per night from 28 Mar to 29 Mar
P5,845
P6,751 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 28 - Mar 29
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Tainan. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,023 reviews)
"Reception desk not efficient enough"

Reviewed on Mar 12, 2025

Shangri-La Far Eastern Tainan
CHECK inn Select Tainan YongKang
CHECK inn Select Tainan YongKang
3.5 out of 5
No.218, Zhongzheng N. Rd., Yongkang Dist., Tainan
The price is P4,985 per night from 27 Mar to 28 Mar
P4,985
P5,757 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 27 - Mar 28
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Tainan. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the comfy rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (426 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on Feb 8, 2025

CHECK inn Select Tainan YongKang
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.
Hôtel de Flore
Hôtel de Flore
3.5 out of 5
No. 275, Section 2, Mincyuan Road, Central Western District, Tainan, Taiwan
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Tainan. Enjoy free WiFi, Netflix, and premium bedding. Popular attractions Chihkan Tower and Tainan Flowers Night Market ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2 reviews)
"超棒的住宿體驗,有apple tv跟Netflix,櫃檯超級親切有需要的時候都很幫忙,對面就有停車場跟餐廳,下次會再去!"

Reviewed on Dec 28, 2024

Hôtel de Flore
Triple One Entire Home
Triple One Entire Home
2.5 out of 5
No. 111, Qingdong St., East Dist, Tainan, Tainan City
Stay at this vacation home in Tainan. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and slippers. Popular attractions Chihkan Tower and Tainan Flowers Night Market are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
"超乾淨的民宿,設備豪華新穎 明年一定會再來"

Reviewed on Feb 19, 2025

Triple One Entire Home
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 and air conditioning. Popular attractions Tainan Flowers Night Market and Chihkan Tower are located nearby.
7/10 Good! (2 reviews)
"乾淨 床舒服 蠻好的"

Reviewed on Aug 5, 2023

Xiao Jiajia
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.

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