National Museum of Taiwan History
National Museum of Taiwan History (Guólì Táiwān Lìshǐ Bówùguǎn 國立臺灣歷史博物館) After 12 years in preparation, the National Museum of Taiwan History (NMTH) opened in Tainan on October 29, 2011. While Tainan has never been short on tourist sites, historic relics, and focused mini-museums, a grand museum was definitely what the city needed. The … Continue reading
Old Japanese Patriotic Women’s Association
Old Japanese Patriotic Women’s Association (台南愛國婦人會館) For the last few years, this fantastic remainder of the Japanese era has sat behind iron fences and sheet metal while it went through an extensive restoration process. In the summer of 2011, however, this beautiful building was unwrapped and given back to the city. Situated directly across from … Continue reading
Xiaonan City God Temple
Xiaonan City God Temple (Xiǎo Nán Chénghuáng Miào 小南城隍廟) Insurgencies abound throughout Taiwan’s history, but probably the largest and most successful one happened in the 1720s. In fact, it was this insurgency that led to the building of the first city walls around Tainan. The leader of this rebellion was a duck keeper named Zhu Yigui … Continue reading
Tongpanqian Cemetery
Tongpanqian Cemetery (Tǒngpánqiǎn Mùyuán 桶盤淺幕園) Tainan holds much of Taiwan’s oldest history, and it should therefore surprise non that it also holds one of the most historic cemeteries. The Tongpanqian Cemetery in the south district of Tainan is the city’s largest and contains many notable graves. These include the oldest Ming dynasty grave, the tombs … Continue reading
Chi Mei Museum
Chi Mei Museum (Qíměi Bówùguǎn 奇美博物館) “See the world while living in Taiwan” is the motto of the Chi Mei Museum, located in Tainan’s Rende district. Though the museum’s impressive art collection may focus on seeing the western world, the museum’s scope extends well beyond fine arts to include a truly international selection of antiquities, … Continue reading
Sanshan Guowang Temple
Sanshan Guowang Temple (Sānshān Guówáng Miào 三山國王廟) The Sanshan Guowang are the Kings of the Three Mountains. The Three Mountains refer to Mt. Du, Mt. Jin, and Mt. Ming in the Chao district of Guangdong (Eastern Canton) Province in mainland China. The three mountain deities are considered the protectors of the Chao district (Chaozhou) and … Continue reading
National Cheng Kung University
National Cheng Kung University (Guólì Chénggōng Dàxué 國立成功大學) Many foreigners arrive in Tainan as either a student, guest lecturer, or visiting faculty at National Cheng Kung University; however, the school also holds interest for those outside of the academic world. Like many universities, the campuses of NCKU are full of culture, history, and nice places … Continue reading
Julius Mannich Merchant House
Julius Mannich Merchant House (Dōngxīng Yángháng 東興洋行) Foreigners were barred from trading in Taiwan for most of the Qing dynasty, but the 1858 Treaty of Tianjin forced open four harbors in Taiwan to foreign traders. Anping was one of them. The five big foreign trading companies of the time were Bains & Co., Boyd & … Continue reading
Kaiji Matsu Temple
Kaiji Matsu Temple (Kāijī Tiānhòu Gōng 開基天后宮) While the Grand Matsu Temple was the first to be dedicated as an “Official Rights Tianhou Temple,” the first temple in the historic Chikan area devoted to Matsu is the nearby Kaiji Matsu Temple. Kaiji means inaugural, which makes one think this is the oldest Matsu temple in … Continue reading
Confucius Temple Cultural Park Tourism Center (Old Tainan Forestry Office)
Confucius Temple Cultural Park Tourism Center On You Ai Street behind the Confucius Temple, Wude Hall, and the National Literature Museum, there is a small Japanese colonial-era building that was once the offices of the forestry department. It is a well-preserved building and has been recently made into the Confucius Temple Cultural Zone Tourism Center. … Continue reading
Tainan City Guide 