Back Alleys – Part 1
Back Alleys – Part 1 Many people come to Tainan hoping to see old houses and a lifestyle that’s a throwback to yesteryear. A quick view of the downtown buildings will leave them disappointed. However, tucked in behind the five story facades of the downtown buildings is a whole other world that may just draw … 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
The Old House Inn
The Old House Inn (Táinán Fǔchéng – Xī Shìchǎng Xièzhái 台南府城-西市場 謝宅) Staying in hotels can be a merely serviceable experience, or it can be an experience in itself. If you’re coming to Tainan, ask yourself this, “Do I want a standard experience, or do I want a unique experience that gives me a real … 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
Old Tainan District Courthouse
Old Tainan District Courthouse (Táinán Dìfāng Fǎyuàn 台南地方法院) Compared with the new courthouse on Jiankang Road in Anping, which is a modern building that looks large enough to employ half the city, the old courthouse seems antiquated and small. That wasn’t the case when the old courthouse was built. It was an immense and modern … Continue reading
Presbyterian Legacy in Tainan
Presbyterian Legacy in Tainan The Presbyterian Church of Taiwan is the largest Christian denomination in Taiwan and has had a long and involved history with the culture and politics of the island. People serving the church have been an evangelical force, a voice for Taiwan independence, a promoter of the Taiwanese language, and a provider … Continue reading
Japanese-Era Shop Houses
Japanese-Era Shop-Houses Tainan has beautiful historic temples and attractive modern sky-rises, but through most of the city, the clutter of signs, shop-houses, and apartments are pretty unappealing to the eye. Lets face it. Much of what was built in Tainan from the fifties through the eighties is nothing short of ugly. Most apartments and shop-houses … Continue reading
Old Union Hall and Wu’s Garden
Old Union Hall and Wu’s Garden (Yuán Táinán Gōnghuìtáng 原台南公會堂) Tucked into the middle of the city is the former garden of a wealthy 19th century businessman named Wu, and upon its grounds is the old Union Hall where town meetings were held during the Japanese period. The garden and hall were built for separate … Continue reading
Shinkong Mitsukoshi Department Store – New Life Square
Shinkong Mitsukoshi Department Store – New Life Square (Xīn Guāng Sān Yuè 新光三越) Shinkong Mitsukoshi is the largest of the upmarket department store chains in Taiwan. The company is a collaboration of the Japanese department store chain Mitsukoshi Ltd. and the Taiwan-based Shinkong Group. The goal of this chain is to provide Taiwan with top … Continue reading
Tainan City Guide 