Last updated on June 17th, 2020 at 11:38 am
Tainan was Taiwan’s capital from 1683 to 1885 and is Taiwan’s fourth largest city. There are many historic temples and you will try the best food in Taiwan. Taiwanese language is more popular than Mandarin. After this small introduction of Tainan we will write our favorite 21 Tainan Tainan tourist spots and things to do in Tainan. Keep reading below our Tainan travel guide.
Read here Taiwan itinerary and things to know before visiting Taiwan!
Read here how to get to Tainan and Taichung tourist spots.
Read here Hotels in Tainan, Taipei to Tainan and how to get from Tainan to Taichung!
Tainan Travel Guide
ATMS AND CASH IN TAIWAN
There are few ATMs in the airport that they don’t charge commission. There are a couple of places to exchange money in the airport. Outside the airport it can be difficult to exchange money in Taiwan. You will be able to do it only in banks. The exchange rate $1 USD= 30 TWD. Click here to know more about the current exchange rate in Taiwan!
BEST TIME TO VISIT TAINAN
Tainan is located in South Taiwan so the weather is really nice. In Kaohsiung and Tainan the weather it’s not so cold in winter like Taipei and Taichung. The best time to visit Tainan is from November to April when the weather is dry and not so hot the temperature. November to April: The weather is dry and temperature is not so hot. The coldest months are January and February. May to October: The weather is so hot and it’s rainy season. The typhoon season is starting from July to September when is the most rainy season in Taiwan.
Click here to know more about the weather in Tainan!
BUYING EASY CARD
We have to say that for us was the best way to travel around Kaohsiung since you just put load and you can use in MRT, buses and even going to places like Fo Guang Shang Memorial which is outside the center. You can also use it in Taipei. Plus you can use for buying in 7 Eleven and convenience stores in the country. So i’s pretty convenient.
You can purchase in convenience stores in Kaohsiung. Also available in the airport you will pay 100 TWD which is $3 USD non refundable. It’s comfortable and every time that you use your Easy Card you get 15% discounts in your MRT and bus trips. You can recharge in convenience stores or in MRT Stations. You can use that money to buy in convenience stores in Taiwan. It’s great since there are Family Mart 7 Eleven all over Kaohsiung and Taiwan.
Click here to get unlimited MRT Pass!
Travel Tip: Click here to know prices and schedule to book your bus/boat tickets online in Taiwan with 12Go Asia.
Tainan Itinerary: Budget Travel in Tainan
We recommed at least two days for Tainan itinerary so you can enjoy the vibe of the city, food and you can visit a few places in the city. For transportation you can go walking around city center and taking short taxi rides $3-4 USD. Public bus isn’t very efficient but of course if you are patient you will ride it for less than $1 USD.
For food you will find local places to eat $2-3 USD beef noodle soup night markets are the best places for this. You can find shaved ice cream for $2-3 USD too. If you prefer restaurants prices will go from $5-8 USD for a meal per person.
For accommodation, you can find accommodation prices starting from $30-50 USD depending on how much you want to stretch your budget. Until luxury hotels in Tainan that can cost $100-300 USD for a room if you wish more comfort when visiting Tainan. Click here to get the best deals via Booking and Agoda.
Click here to get a discount booking activities with Klook in Tainan!
You can also try AirBnB in Tainan with prices starting from $20 USD. Click here to get $30 USD off your first booking with AirBnB!
Tainan Tourist Spots And Things to do in Tainan
1. Tainan Confucius Temple
Confucious Temple is located in the Tainan city center. It’s one of the most popular Tainan tourist spots. There is no entrance fee and it’s beautiful to relax and walking around the garden. There is no entrance fee.
2. Chihkan Tower
Chihkan Tower is the oldest building in Tainan’s West Central District. It’s close to Anping District’s and Anping Fort which are the most popular landmarks in Tainan. At night time you can see Chihkan Towerwith yellow lights. There is an entrance fee of 50 TWD.
3. Anping District Old Town and Anping Fort

Anping Fort (called Fort Zelandia) was built by the Dutch from 1624 to 1634. Anping Fort entrance fee of 50 TWD. The buses 2, 88 and 99 are going to Anping Fort from Tainan Train Station. Around Anping District you can walk around Old Anping Street. You can also visit Anping Tree House to make sure you explore the whole area.
Click here to get a discount booking a Classic tour in Tainan with Klook!
4. Visit Night Markets (Garden Night Market)
Garden Night Market is the biggest one in Tainan. It’s the perfect place to have local food for affordable prices. The market is huge and there are clothes, souvenirs and more stuff to check. It’s located little bit far from city center. You can also visit Dadong Night Market if you have time to explore more.
5. Chimei Museum
The Chimei Museum is a private museum opened in 1992 by Shi Wen-long of Chi Mei in Tainan. There are five categories: Fine arts, Musical instruments, Natural history, Arms and armor, Antiquities and artifacts. The entrance fee is 200 TWD. It’s closed on Wednesdays and opening from 9 30 am to 5 30 pm.
Click here to get a discount booking your entrance ticket with Klook!
6. Try Local Markets Shaved Fruits
You can’t skip trying local delicacies in Tainan. Our favorite one was Shaved fruits that it’s served everywhere during the day especially with hot weather. They are so delicious and prices are $2-3 USD.
7. Blueprint Cultural & Creative Park
It’s located close to city center and in front of Silks Place Hotel. The Park has beautiful spots for pictures. Even is small is great to take a look during the day. If you like art and taking pictures is one of the Tainan tourist spots that you can’t miss.
8. Ten Drum Rende Creative Park

Ten Drum Rende Creative Park is great if you are traveling with kids to visit the drum performance. There are VR games, laser tag. To get there you have to get a train from Kaohsiung Main Station to Baoen Train Station. It will take 50 minutes to get there. The entrance fee is 400 TWD for the whole day and if you go only for the evening is 200 TWD.
9. Great South Gate of Tainan

Tainan Great South Gate is a historical gate in West Central District. It’s located just two blocks away from Confucius Temple. There is no entrance fee.
10. Koxinga’s Ancestral Shrine

Koxinga Ancestral Shrine is located in West Central District. It was built in memory of the work and achievement of Cheng Cheng Kung, the pioneer of Taiwan.
Click here to get a discount booking activities with Klook in Tainan!
More Tainan Tourist Spots And Things to do in Tainan
11. Visit Back Alleys Markets
We loved it walking around the streets and check these small street markets. You can find shops, art and of course always a place to eat food or having coffee and ice cream in Tainan. It’s perfect to stop by while exploring the city.
12. National Museum of Taiwanese Literature
National Museum of Taiwanese Literature is a new Museum opened in 2003. Most of the exhibitions are in Chinese. But it’s located walking distance from city center if you want to take a look. There is no entrance fee.
13. Shennong Street
Shennong Street is a relaxed place where you can enjoy tea or coffee. There are art galleries and it’s very picturesque.
14. Visit Temples in Tainan
There are many temples to visit in Tainan. It’s the perfect place to learn about the culture and religion. You will see locals praying and giving donations. They are so colorful. These are the most popular ones in Tainan: God of War Temple, Matsu Temple, Beiji Temple, Guan Gong Temple, Lady Linshui Temple, City God Temple, Fahua Temple
15. Try KTV in Tainan
If you want to have fun and enjoying local vibe. KTV is one of the best plans to do in Tainan. You can rent a room for singing with your friends. Prices are around $12-30 USD per hour good enough for 7-8 people.
16. Dashu Old Railway Sky Bridge

Dashu Old Railway Sky Bridge was built in 1913 by the Japanese. It’s 1526 meters long and it survived World War II.
17. Soulangh Cultural Park

Soulangh Cultural Park is also known as Jiali Sugar Refinery. It was established in 2003 reusing the empty space. Now days is a leisure park for locals.
18. Yuguang Island

19. Qigu Lagoon
The Qigu Lagoon is an ecological conservation area located on the estuary of the Zengwen River. It’s a rural and quiet area to visit in Tainan. From this list of Tainan tourist spots would be perfect for relaxing.
20. Jingzaijiao Tile-Paved salt fields

The Jingzaijiao Tiled Salt Fields were formerly known as Laidong Salt Fields originally a barren desert. To get there you have to take train to Tainan Railway Station and get Xingnan Bus to Xishan Stop.
21. Sicao Green Tunnel

Sicao Green Tunnel is one of the most idyllic Tainan tourist spots. The mangrove forest is extending and is forming a tunnel. You have to go to Annan District to watch this. There is an entrance fee of 200 TWD and it will take 30-40 minutes the boat ride.
WHERE TO STAY IN TAINAN
SILKS PLACE
We stayed at Silks Place in Tainan. We enjoyed a local atmosphere learning about the tea. Trying local food which was delicious. Also we enjoyed Robbin’s Steak Teppanyaki where we enjoyed dinner with our own private chef. The food was delicious great meat, salad and delicious desserts.
We also enjoyed the Glasshouse where you can listen to music live and try the 36 stratagems shots which was so much fun. We invited our friend Eden to join us trying to finish all of them ha! You have to choose a paper with the name and look for it on the table. Different flavors combined with whisky, vodka and cheers!
For breakfasts you can enjoy Western or Chinese breakfast. We liked it more the Chinese breakfast. The location was great just a few steps from city center. And only two kilometers far from Bus and Train Station.
Click here to check prices and availability!
For accommodation, you can find accommodation prices starting from $20-30 USD depending on how much you want to stretch your budget. Until luxury hotels in Tainan that can cost $100-300 USD for a room if you wish more comfort when visiting Tainan. Click here to get the best deals via Booking and Agoda.
Click here to get a discount booking activities with Klook in Tainan!
You can also try AirBnB in Tainan with prices starting from $20 USD. Click here to get $30 USD off your first booking with AirBnB!
Travel Tip: Click here to know prices and schedule to book your bus/boat tickets online in Taiwan with 12Go Asia.
Feel free to use our links with discounts for Booking, Agoda, Airbnb and Klook. Using our links you will help us to continue with the maintenance of the website and it will not cost you anything. Thanks for the love guys.
Happy Travels!
Ruben Arribas is a Spanish traveler who has traveled more than 70+ countries around the world. Now based in the Philippines!