The Yi Tzai Golden Castle was originally built to resist the Japanese invasion during the Peony Suffix Event. Built by the Chinese but designed by a French engineer, the Yi Tzai Golden Castle was the first western style fort established in Taiwan. Occupying 3 hectares and equipped with British Armstrong Cannons, the Yi Tzai Golden Castle was symbolic of a great technological leap forward towards the modernization of Taiwanese military defence.

• Getting there: 13 minute by taxi.
• Distance from Ximen Tainan: 4.6 km
• Address: 3, Guangzhou Rd., Anping District, Tainan City.
• Tel: +886-6-295-1504
• Hours: Monday-Sunday 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
• General admission:
• Website: bit.ly/3nyHRyj

The Department Store that triggered a cultural revolution in 1930’s Taiwan. Later being damaged in WWII and then classified as a World Heritage Site, It’s only fitting it’s now refurbished model was inaugurated the “Creative Department Store”, becoming a window towards a New Modern Age in Tainan.

• Getting there: 13 minute walk.
• Distance from Ximen Tainan: 1 km
• Address: Jhongjheng Rd., West Central District, Tainan City.
• Tel: +886-6-221-3000
• Hours: Daily 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
• Website: bit.ly/2DcZCWG

Built in memory of the work and achievement of Cheng Cheng Kung, who was known as the pioneer of Taiwan after militarily bringing the then prominent Ming Dynasty to a close. Explore the displays and experience daily life during his reign.

• Getting there: 5 minutes by taxi
• Distance from Ximen Tainan: 1.5 km
• Address: 152, Kaishan Rd., West Central District, Tainan City.
• Tel: +886-6-225-0128
• Hours: Daily 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• General admission: Free

The largest Temple of Wang Ye Worshippers in Taiwan, The Madou Daitian Temple was originally built in the 17th century before being relocated to Bao’an due to earthquakes. Having since been reconstructed in 1955, the Temple is famous for its 76m long and 7m high dragon sculpture.

• Getting there: 43 minutes by taxi
• Distance from Ximen Tainan: 30.8 km
• Address: 60, Guandi Temple, Madou District, Tainan City.
• Tel: +886-6-572-2133
• Hours:
• General admission: Free
• Website: bit.ly/2DelwIV

Dedicated to the deity Guan Gong, who is the most widely worshipped deity in Taiwan and Mainland China. The statue of Guan-Gong in this temple was brought to Taiwan from Fu-Chien Province, China by relatives of Prince of Ning-jing during the Ming dynasty. Don’t forget to check out the next door temple of Guan-Yin, a Buddhist fertility goddess whose image can be found in nearly every Taoist temple, and the temple of Yue-Lao, where single people pray for luck to find their soul-mate.

• Getting there: 5 minutes by taxi
• Distance from Ximen Tainan: 1.4 km
• Address: 229, Sec. 2, Yongfu Rd., West Central District, Tainan City.
• Tel: +886-6-220-2390
• General admission: Free
• Website: bit.ly/3M4dskz

Nankunshen Daitian Temple is the oldest temple with the greatest capacity in Taiwan. Validated as a Grade II Historical Site, the delicate sculptures, colorful paintings, and fascinating, traditional cutting and clay art pieces in Nankunshen Daitian Temple are an experience one should covet if visiting this part of the country.

• Getting there: 48 minutes by taxi.
• Distance from Ximen Tainan: 44.1 km
• Address: 976, Kunjiang, Beimen District, Tainan City.
• Tel: +886-6-786-3711
• General admission: Free

In the heart of the ancient capital of Taiwan, the 300-year-old “All-Taiwan First School” Confucius Temple has been regarded as the core of the ancient capital of culture. Include nearby major historic sites in your tour – including Dananmen, Fuzhong Street, and Yanping County for a full day.

• Getting there: 4 minutes by taxi.
• Distance from Ximen Tainan: 1.2 km
• Address: 2, Nanmen Rd., West Central District, Tainan City.
• Tel: +886-6-221-4647
• Hours: Daily 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
• General admission: Free
• Website: bit.ly/2HgV7wD

Privately founded, the collection of the Chi Mei Museum includes Western art, musical instruments, weapons, animal specimens, and fossils as its main collections. Discover roughly 4,000 pieces displayed in a wide range of exhibits, accounting for one-third of the total collection.

• Getting there: 17 minutes by taxi.
• Distance from Ximen Tainan: 7.7 km
• Address: 66, Wenhua Rd., Rende District, Tainan City.
• Tel: +886-6-266-0808
• Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., closed Wednesdays
• General admission: $150~280.
• Website: bit.ly/1wgCdbk

“Our Land, Our People: The Story of Taiwan.” The National Museum of Taiwan’s History’s main exhibition captures the story of Taiwan, employing a vast array of historical interpretations of Taiwan and moving through seven major time periods in the country’s history. 60 minute tour recommended for first time visitors.

• Getting there: 23 minutes by taxi.
• Distance from Ximen Tainan: 9.8 km
• Address: 250, Sec. 1, Changhe Rd., Annan District, Tainan City.
• Tel: +886-6-356-8889
• Hours: Daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• General admission: $100.
• Website: bit.ly/2FtvUP7

Originally the government building of Tainan Prefecture Hall, National Museum of Taiwan Literature was once the administrative center of Tainan under the Japanese rule. After being destroyed in WWII, the building was restored as a museum, and visitors now have the opportunity to explore the vast collection of historical Taiwan literature.

• Getting there: 4 minutes by taxi.
• Distance from Ximen Tainan: 1.2 km
• Address: 1, Zhongzheng Rd., West Central District, Tainan City.
• Tel: +886-6-221-7201
• Hours: Tuesdays-Sundays 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• General admission: Free
• Website: www.nmtl.gov.tw

Thrust yourself into South Taiwan’s drum culture and experience the drum complex designed by world famous designer Mr. Liu Guocang. Complete with a drum museum, drumming experience rooms, a small indoor theater and couple of much bigger outdoor ones, a praying hall and more. The village has only been open to the public since 2007 and is since becoming a new landmark of South Taiwan.

• Getting there: 32km by taxi, the village is walking distance from Baoan Railway Station.
• Distance from Ximen Tainan: 12.4 km
• Address: 326, Section 2, Wenhua Road, Rende District, Tainan.
• Tel: +886-6-266-2225
• Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 9:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Mondays close at 5 p.m.
• General admission: $459.
• Website: bit.ly/3VJ4jBf

Quickly developing into the largest, and most attractive night market in southern Taiwan, the Flower Night Market boasts nearly four hundred stalls and features delicious snacks, fashionable clothes, exquisite commodities, and entertainment. To attract tourists, vendors began hanging flags high above their stalls, which has since become one of the market’s most prominent features.

• Getting there: 8 minutes by taxi.
• Distance from Ximen Tainan: 3 km
• Address: 533, Sec. 3, Hai’an Rd., North District, Tainan City.
• Tel: +886-6-358-3867
• Hours: Thursday-Sunday 5 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
• General admission: Free

Located in the East District of Tainan, Da Dong Night Market is the second most renowned market behind the Flower Night Market. In addition to indigenous cuisine, shops, and games including water balloon shooting, ring toss, and others, the market is home to an outdoor auctioning, an activity unique to southern Taiwan.

• Getting there: 10 minutes by taxi.
• Distance from Ximen Tainan: 3 km
• Address: 276, Sec. 1, Linsen Rd., East District, Tainan City.
• Tel: +886-6-335-5301
• Hours: Mondays, Tuesdays & Fridays 6 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
• General admission: Free

Experience the oldest night market in Tainan. Located in the West Central District for over 29 years, Wusheng Night Market covers 2400 hectares, 250 vendors and over 6000 motorcycle parking spaces.

• Getting there: 10 minutes by taxi.
• Distance from Ximen Tainan: 2.9 km
• Address: Lane 69, Wusheng Rd., West Central District, Tainan City.
• Hours: Wednesdays & Saturdays 6:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

The newest of Tainan’s famous night markets. Weave your way through clothing shops, street vendors, restaurants, and more.

• Getting there: 5 minutes by taxi.
• Distance from Ximen Tainan: 1.4 km
• Address: Yonghua Road, Section 2, at Yonghua 4th St., Anping District, Tainan City.
• Tel: +886-6-358-1914
• Hours: Thursdays & Sundays 6:30 p.m. – midnight

Spend a lazy evening touring the park’s creative shops, decorations, art and murals. Discover the park’s 7 flagship exhibitions, and boost your Instagram with photos of an eclectic mix of vendors and art.

• Getting there: 2 minute walk.
• Distance from Ximen Tainan: 120 m
• Address: 689, Sec. 1, Ximen Rd., South District, Tainan City.
• Tel: +886-6-222-7195
• Hours: 24/7 for the Park. Creative studio opens 2 p.m. – 9 p.m. Wed – Mon.
• Website: bit.ly/42d1gUw

Taiwan’s miniature Amazon Rainforest. As Tainan city originated from a port, Sicao Green Tunnel was the very first canal developed more than 200 years ago.Take a bamboo raft and enter the time tunnel, exploring Taiwan as it once was.

• Getting there:22 minutes by taxi.
• Distance from Ximen Tainan: 8.8 km
• Address: 360, Dazhong Rd., Annan District, Tainan City.
• Tel: +886-6-284-1610
• Hours: Weekends 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Weekdays 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• General admission: $200.

Originally named the Qingdong salt field during the Qing Dynasty, the Jingzaijiao Salt Fields are the oldest remains of the site. Experience the magic of the mirror-like qualities of the salt flats against the sky. Go on a sunny day after a rain and spend the day capturing unbelievable photos.

• Getting there: 48 minutes by taxi .
• Distance from Ximen Tainan: 35.4 km
• Address: 64, Beimen, Beimen District, Tainan City.
• Tel: +886-6-786-1629
• Hours: Daily 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• General admission: Free
• Website: bit.ly/2IdbI5G

Experience one of Taiwan’s most beautiful areas and witness Taiwan’s oldest Aboriginal culture. “The Siraya National Scenic Area is…the most well preserved traditional culture” experience. Visit the official website to set up day trips from Tainan.

• Getting there: one hour by car.
• Distance from Ximen Tainan: 58.7 km
• Address: 1-1, Xiancao, Xiancao Village, Baihe District, Tainan City.
• Tel: +886-6-683-2662
• Hours: 24/7
• Website: bit.ly/2FDmNhW

During the Japanese Colonial Era, a Japanese civil engineer Yoichi Hatta designed and built an irrigation system and reservoir in southern Taiwan that turned the formerly barren plains into a granary. Today, it is known as Wushantou Dam — one of the oldest dams in Taiwan. Located in the Guantian District of Tainan, the dam is a popular weekend destination, where locals camp by the water, cycle around the dam and go canoeing on the tranquil waters of the lake.

• Getting there: 55 minutes by car.
• Distance from Ximen Tainan: 55.6 km
• Address: 68-2, Jianan, Guantian District, Tainan City.
• Tel: +886-6-698-2103
• Hours: Nov-Feb 6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Mar-Oct 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• General admission: $200.