Tainan

Travel Guide

Taijiang National Park featuring a temple or place of worship, a ferry and a river or creek
Tainan featuring a city, central business district and signage
Tainan Park which includes outdoor art and a garden
Tainan
Tainan

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 neighbourhood 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 savoury 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 Chihkan Tower or Fort Provintia.

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

West Central District

West Central District is noteworthy for its coffee shops, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Tainan Confucian Temple and Hayashi Department Store.

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
Default Image

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

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
Tainan which includes markets and night scenes as well as a large group of people

North District

You'll enjoy the restaurants and monuments in North District. You might want to make time for a stop at Tainan Flowers Night Market or Tainan Park.

North District
Lakeshore Hotel Tainan

Lakeshore Hotel Tainan

4 out of 5
No. 269, Section 1, Yongfu Road, West Central District, Tainan
The price is RM323 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
RM323
RM373 total
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,754 reviews)
"Great spa and excellent service."

Reviewed on 26 Sept 2025

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 RM434 per night from 22 Oct to 23 Oct
RM434
RM501 total
22 Oct - 23 Oct
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,148 reviews)
"The morning breakfast is very good"

Reviewed on 26 Sept 2025

Shangri-La Far Eastern Tainan
U.I.J Hotel & Hostel

U.I.J Hotel & Hostel

4 out of 5
No.5, Ln.115, Youai St., West Central Dist., Tainan
The price is RM220 per night from 7 Oct to 8 Oct
RM220
RM254 total
7 Oct - 8 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Tainan. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,009 reviews)
"Amazing room, very cool and clean shared spaces, incredibly helpful staff. Was very walkable to well known downtown sites as well. Will absolutely come back!"

Reviewed on 24 Sept 2025

U.I.J Hotel & Hostel
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.
26 Abode

26 Abode

3.5 out of 5
No. 26, Ln. 233, Daxing St., North Dist., Tainan, Tainan
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly vacation home in Tainan. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Tainan Flowers Night ...
26 Abode
Qingdong Entire Home - Two Buildings for 4-70 peoples Best choice for Group Gatherings

Qingdong Entire Home - Two Buildings for 4-70 peoples Best choice for Group Gatherings

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 Tainan Flowers Night Market and Dadong Night Market are ...
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 19 Feb 2025

Qingdong Entire Home - Two Buildings for 4-70 peoples Best choice for Group Gatherings
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 Tainan Flowers Night Market and T.S. Mall are ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (8 reviews)
Best hospitality ever
"Owner was amazing They provide me tasty snacks and coffee"

Reviewed on 24 Jun 2025

Hôtel de Flore
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

Things to do

Reviews of Tainan

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
3
5 - Excellent 33%
4 - Good
6
4 - Good 67%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Excellent museums, free guided walking tours, vulcanic area with hot springs, fossil park and much more to do in the sorrounding area. Having a car would be the best.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Tainan is a wonderful city with more history and character to it than cities to the north and is well worth exploring.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A lovely town. Lots to do and see, alley ways to get lost and places to have coffee or eat and drink.

5/5 - Excellent

SELVAKUMAR

Good Hotel and food, indian restaurant are very good food available.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

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