Mangrove reserves. Tainan is located near a significant mangrove reserve, which serves as a migrating ground for the rare black-faced spoonbill. Trips to these reserves can be arranged through a local expat group called 'Barking Deer Adventures' [2]

Landmarks and Historical sites

• Eternal Golden Fortress (億載金城 Yì Zài Jīnchéng), 16 Nanwen, Anping District - a 19th century coastal fortress. Hours: 9AM-5PM.
• The ruins of Anping Fort (安平古堡 Ānpíng Gǔbǎo), originally called Fort Zeelandia, was built in 1620 by the Dutch. Its commanding views of the ocean make it a popular place to watch the sunset. Hours: 8:30AM-5:30PM.
• Chikan Towers (赤崁樓 Chìkàn Lóu), originally called Fort Provintia, was built in 1653 by the Dutch. There are tablets, stone horses/camels and a row of nine turtle-borne steles with inscriptions. Hours: 8:30AM-9PM.
• National Museum of Taiwanese Literature Located in a restored colonial-era Japanese building, even with the limited English on display this museum is fascinating. The coffee shop is good too
• Confucius Temple A serene destination surrounded by a small park. Explore the temple, then go to the incredibly popular shaved-ice store opposite

Night markets

There are over two dozen night markets of various sizes in and around the city. Regardless of size, night markets all possess an abundance of stalls selling clothing, shoes, jewelry, toys, food and drink. Some even have live entertainment.

Most night markets are only held on certain days of the week. Check before going.

One of the night market hua yuan (花園夜市 huāyuán yèshì, literally translated as "Flower Garden") is open on Thursday, Saturday, Sunday.

By plane

The closest international airport is in Kaohsiung. From there you can take a train, bus, taxi, or rental car for a 45 minute to one hour journey to Tainan.

There is a domestic airport in Tainan, and the flights from Taipei take about 45 minutes.

By bus

Tainan has good inter-city bus connections with other cities in Taiwan.

By train

Tainan is a major stop on the Taipei - Kaohsiung express line. The High Speed Rail has its stop a bit outside town (NT$400 by taxi ~US$15). However, the high speed train from Taipei is 1 hour and 45 minutes and much more convienent and reliable than the domestic air travel.

For more detailed information see get around on the Taiwan page.

The best way to travel around the city is by car or motorcycle. There are taxis and buses (公車 gōngchē), but they are not so convenient for non-Chinese speakers.

If you do take a taxi just make sure you have a map you can point at or the business card of the location your headed. The taxi drivers are very helpful, but be aware that sometimes even Chinese speakers get taken the long way round to earn them a few extra NT$

Preserved Plums(酸梅 suānméi)

Tainan is often known as "the City of Snacks" (小吃城). In addition to the wide variety of food available at night markets, the city also has an abundance of street vendors specializing in tasty and cheap dishes.

Tainan specialities are:

• Coffin toast (棺材板 guāncaibǎn) - fried bread stuffed with various ingredients, such as chicken, beans, seafood, vegetables and milk-based sauces

• Oyster omelette (蚵仔煎 kèzǎijiān / o-a chen)

• Oysters and thin noodles (蚵仔麵線 kèzǎi miànxiàn / o-a mi soa~)

• Rice cake (碗稞 wǎnkē)

• Dan Dan Noodle(擔仔麵 dānzǎi miàn)

• Elite Cake (狀元糕 zhuàngyuan gāo)

Don't forget to try the shrimp rolls (zhou-shi) down along the canal! Incredible!

• Andi's Party Corner sells traditional Austrian food and beers, an oddity in Tainan!

Pearl milk tea (珍珠奶茶, zhēnzhū nǎichá) is a must drink in Tainan. Look out for shops, where it is made directly to order!

• Dirty Rogers is an excellent small bar. Used to be very hip, still very good! Every Music imaginable. It's close to the Railway station at Dongmen Rd.

• The Armory on Gongyuan Road is good for beers and sport

• Willies Second Base for beers, sport, food and pool upstairs