Top 10 Alternative Places to visit in Tainan

台南十大備選景點

There are still plenty of places in Tainan that are off the usual tourist trail left for you to explore


There are many interesting places to visit and sites to see. Most of these are well documented in the usual travel guides and there is no shortage of tourist brochures available in all languages to help you find your way around.

The downside to this is that the usual sites in Tainan can be extremely busy and rather over-commercial. Some people will not mind that of course, but for others it can be a bit frustrating. Some just want to get away from the crowds and enjoy a more authentic Tainan experience. Fortunately, as well document as Tainan is, there are still plenty of places in the region that are off the usual tourist trail, left for you to explore.







The Soulangh Artists Village is home to a number of artists-in-residence which sees local and international artists working and exhibiting side-by-side. There are other exhibitions, including permanent displays about Tainan Folk Art and the local indigenous Siraya Tribe, as well as a great range of facilities which includes a large playroom, library, and art museum.






(Image from nihaotaipei Facebook page)

Yuguang Island is located just across the harbor from the bustling Anping but is a world away from the hubbub of this tourist hot-spot. Yuguang Island is a quiet and peaceful place, which still has the feel of an undeveloped fishing village despite its proximity to the city. There is a large beach, which is growing in popularity with local families, which boasts some interesting sculptures which artists have created from driftwood.















(Photo by David Spencer)








(Photo by David Spencer)


Other buildings have been more fully restored and now play host to various independent arts and crafts retailer. There are a variety of different food and drink outlets too, including a rather Tapas restaurant, where the staff are less than friendly. But everywhere else is friendly and there is plenty for the whole family to see and explore.






(Image by Pinterest user Stanchiou)

Qigu Lagoon is a stunning oasis and wildlife habit located just to the north of Tainan City. The sheltered tidal lagoon, which formed from the remains of the Old Taijiang Inner Sea more than 300 years ago, is a perfect ecosystem for hundreds of different species of birds, crabs, fish, and shellfish. It is also home to a thriving fishing industry and visitors can see the fixed oyster farms stretching as far as the eye can see.

The best way to explore Qigu Lagoon is by boat and there are plenty of local operators ready to give you a full guided tour. They will tell you everything you need to know and often give you a chance to try the fresh oysters for yourself. If you can, try to visit the sandbar located on the far side of the lagoon where huge numbers of Australian pine trees and vines grow wild making for some stunning scenery.






(Wikimedia Commons image)

Also located to the north of Tainan City, the Jingzaijiao Tile-Paved salt fields








(Wikimedia Commons image)

The Japanese-built Hayashi Department Store dates to 1932 and is the oldest in Tainan as well as being the location of the oldest elevator in the city. The buildings been lovingly restored in recent years and now features exhibitions an observation deck, and western food outlets, as well as retail outlets. It is easy to just take a picture as you drive past, but the interiors have also been well restored and the building itself is worth exploring.







(Wikimedia Commons image)

The Tainan Museum of Meteorology is a unique situated close to the National Museum of Taiwan Literature. It was built in 1898 and has been nicknamed the Pepper Tube because of its unique design. It used to be the Tainan Weather Observatory and today hosts a fascinating collection of historic tools which have been used to observe weather and earthquakes for more than 100 years.

The central tower was built to allow staff to literally climb up and view the weather conditions around them. Today, it is no longer the official weather observatory, but most of the equipment on display is still functional. It is a small museum, but an interesting place for the family.






(Wikimedia Commons image)


There is plenty of wildlife to be seen here too, including various different species of crab and mudskippers. If you are really adventurous, you can also take a boat trip to explore the nearby Sicao Lake, where you can see jumping fish, lots of birds, and more stunning natural scenery.