The 12 Best Things to Do in Tainan, Taiwan

Tainan, the former capital of Taiwan, is easily one of my favorite places in the country. I spent about four days here, wandering through all the amazing food streets, night markets, temples, and more and honestly, I loved it.

In this guide, I’ve put together a list of my favorite activities in Tainan. From beautiful temples and buzzing night markets to cool coffee spots you shouldn’t miss, these are all the places I’d recommend to a friend. Pick and choose what sounds good to you, or just work your way through the whole list.

Let’s get into my guide on the 12 best things to do in Tainan!

In a Rush? Here Are Our Favorite Hotels in Tainan Taiwan

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Lakeshore Hotel Tainan – Click here for rates & availability

⭐️⭐️ The MSUG Hotel – Click here for rates & availability

⭐️ Roots Chew Hotel- Click here for rates & availability

The 12 Best Things to Do in Tainan, Taiwan

Things to Do in Tainan City – My Experience

I spent about four days in Tainan, and for me, that felt like the perfect amount of time to really get a feel for the city. Tainan reminded me a bit of Taipei in some ways, but it also felt totally different at the same time.

What felt similar is that cities in Taiwan aren’t really about ticking off endless “big sightseeing” spots. It’s not like Bangkok or Rome, where you’re running from one landmark to the next all day long. In Taiwan, and Tainan especially, it’s more about enjoying the local vibe, wandering around little alleyways, grabbing food from street stalls, and just seeing where the day takes you. And honestly, I loved that.

Where Tainan stood out to me was the overall pace and feel. Taipei has that big city buzz, super modern, fast-paced, always something going on. But Tainan feels older, more traditional, with so much character. It’s much slower, and I really enjoyed having that contrast during my trip.

So, the things to do in Tainan I’m sharing here aren’t necessarily “big attractions”, they’re more like little experiences that make the city special: night markets, temples, cool little streets to explore, and of course, loads of good food. That’s really what Tainan is all about.

11 Things to See in Tainan Taiwan

1. Visit Tainan Garden Night Market

Number one on my list has to be checking out a night market, and in Tainan, the Garden Night Market is the big one. It’s actually a bit outside the city center and we took the bus there (super easy), and then decided to walk back after, which wasn’t too bad at all.

The market is set up in a huge open parking lot with rows and rows of food stalls: grilled squid, dumplings, ramen, peanut ice cream rolls, bubble tea… all the classics.

What I liked is that, unlike the Taipei night markets that are usually squeezed into narrow streets, this one feels more spacious and open. It’s a fun spot to try everything you’ve never heard of (or can’t pronounce) and just be part of that loud, messy, and delicious atmosphere.

2. Have Pork Lard Rice at Ding Fu Fa

I don’t know why I’m so obsessed with this place, but it was hands-down my favorite brunch or lunch spot in Tainan. It’s a super traditional local spot and super popular. I had to wait about 30 minutes to get a table.

The star of the show here is the pork lard mixed rice. It’s exactly what it sounds like: rice with pork lard and a raw egg yolk on top. We also got cucumber salad, fishball soup, and some chicken skewers on the side and it was all so good. I seriously loved it and 100% recommend coming here for lunch or brunch.

Oh, and a little tip: definitely ask for the English menu. You’ll need to grab a pen, tick off what you want, and pay at the counter. They’ll call your number when it’s ready… in Chinese, of course. We had no clue when it was our turn, so a staff member kindly brought the food to our table (and probably had a good laugh at us).

3.Take a Boat Ride Through Sicao Green Tunnel

This was one of those “let’s try it and see” activities, and I’m so glad I did. The Sicao Green Tunnel is basically a little mangrove tunnel just outside Tainan in Taijiang National Park. You hop on a small flat-bottom boat and glide through these narrow, lush green canals which are actually super beautiful.

The ride is pretty chill and only takes about 30 minutes, so it doesn’t take up your whole day. It’s a fun way to see a different side of Tainan and cool off a bit from the city heat. Definitely worth adding to your list if you want to switch things up from temples and food.

Book Here: Sicao Green Tunnel

4. Buy a Souvenir at Hayashi Department Store

Hayashi Department Store is a pretty classic go to spot in Tainan. It’s a historical building that’s been around since the Japanese colonial period, and it feels more like a boutique mall than a department store.

I came here mostly to browse (and enjoy the AC, if I’m being honest), but I actually found some cute souvenirs, local crafts, and snacks to bring back. The rooftop is also worth checking out, there’s a little shrine up there and a nice view over the city. Even if you’re not a big shopper, it’s a cool place to poke around for an hour or so.

5. Explore the Anping District (Anping Old Street, Anping Tree House, Anping Fort)

Anping is for sure one of my favorite parts of Tainan. It feels older, slower, and just has a totally different atmosphere compared to the city center.

Start at Anping Old Street, this is where you can try loads of different and wonderful foods (definitely try coffin bread and shrimp rolls). Then, go check out Anping Tree House. It’s basically this abandoned warehouse that’s been completely taken over by giant banyan trees which I thought was super cool and kind of spooky.

If you still have energy, head up to Anping Fort which was built by the Dutch East India Company. It’s not a huge fort, but it has some history and a nice little view over the area. Anping is just a fun area to take your time, eat random things, and wander without any big plan.

6. Check out Tainan Confucius Temple

The Confucius Temple was honestly one of my favorite stops in Tainan. It’s one of the oldest temples in the city, and it’s just super peaceful and beautiful to walk around. There’s a big shaded garden area and lots of grass, so it’s the perfect escape when the city heat starts to feel like too much.

You can wander around the outer parts of the temple for free, but if you want to go inside, there’s a small entrance fee. Definitely worth it in my opinion, it felt like a nice little break from all the food and busy streets.

7. Coffee Break at PariPari

PariPari was easily one of my top coffee spots in Tainan. And trust me, you’ll want a few AC breaks if you visit in the warmer months. I went in April, and even then it felt like I was melting some days.

I’d usually use these coffee breaks to reset, hydrate, and just enjoy sitting down somewhere cool. PariPari has this moody, artsy vibe, and the coffee is actually great. Perfect spot to catch your breath and recharge before heading back out.

8. Alleyways and Little Lanes at Shennong Street

One of the best parts about Tainan is all the tiny alleyways and lanes. You never really know what you’re going to find, a cute boutique, random souvenir shops, a little tea stand, or some street food stall.

Shennong Street is definitely a super cool area to be. It feels a bit like a permanent night market during the day, with all the food and random shops everywhere. The same goes for Zhengxing Shopping District. I could honestly spend hours just wandering around these areas without any plan at all.

9. Grab Ice Cream at Ninao

Ninao is this super popular ice cream shop in Zhengxing District. When we went, we had to draw a number and wait for about 10 minutes, which apparently is nothing, it can get way busier than that.

They only serve two flavors at a time, and when I went, they had a tea flavor and a peanut one. We went for tea, and… it was interesting. Not bad (I obviously finished it), but probably not something I’d order again. Still, if you love trying local flavors or just need to cool off, it’s worth stopping by.

10. Late Night Drink at Chikan Pharmacy Bar

If you’re up for a drink at night, Chikan Pharmacy Bar is a super fun spot to check out. It’s a bit hidden away in a little alley, and it has this vintage pharmacy-slash-speakeasy vibe that I thought was super cool.

It’s definitely on the touristy side (they have a minimum spend of about $20 USD per person but that’s probably to keep it from turning into an Instagram zoo), but the cocktails were really good, especially if you’re into gin. I thought it was a cool place to hang out for a bit.

11. 赤崁樓 / Fort Provintia / Chihkan Tower

This one has a few different names (Chihkan Tower, Fort Provintia, all the same place), but it’s basically one of the main historical landmarks in Tainan.

Chihkan Tower is a historic fortress right in the middle of Tainan. You can walk around the old courtyards, climb up to see the views, and check out a few small exhibits with artifacts and old photos. It’s a pretty chill spot to explore for an hour or so, and there’s a small entrance fee. I liked how it still feels super local and not overly touristy but also not necessarily a must visit in Tainan.

12. Grand Mazu Temple

The Grand Mazu Temple is another pretty interesting temple in Tainan. It’s dedicated to Mazu, the sea goddess, and it’s actually the oldest Mazu temple in Taiwan, which is pretty cool.

It’s not as impressive as many other temples in Taiwan. It definitely felt less touristy when I was there. Locals would actually come here to pray so I just had a quick peek when I was here. Definitely not a must visit but if you’re really into temples then worth checking out.

Where to Stay in Tainan

I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: in Tainan, you really want to stay somewhere central. Public transport here isn’t as smooth as in Taipei, so being able to walk to most places makes life way easier. Personally, I always think the best way to get to know a city is by wandering around on foot (thanks, Dad, for that travel wisdom).

If you’re looking at the map and wondering which areas to stay in, I’d go for Tainan West Central District or somewhere close to it.

Here are a couple of spots I really like:

The Lakeshore Hotel Tainan

This one is definitely on the more upscale side, but honestly, it’s still pretty affordable compared to hotels in the US or Australia. It’s super modern, has a pool (huge plus in the Tainan heat), and a gym if you feel like pretending you’ll work out on holiday.

Book Here: The Lakeshore Hotel Tainan

MSUG Hotel

This is where I actually stayed myself, and I was really happy with it. It’s a smaller boutique hotel with a very cozy, thoughtful vibe. The rooms felt surprisingly spacious, and the hosts were so friendly and helpful. I also loved the views from my room!

Book Here: MSUG Hotel Tainan

FAQs About What to Do in Tainan

What are the best places to visit in Tainan?

My personal favorites are the Confucius Temple, Anping Old Street, and Taijiang National Park. But honestly, a big part of Tainan is just wandering around, trying local food, and stumbling into temples and old alleyways.

What are unique things to do in Tainan?

Exploring the mangrove tunnels at Taijiang National Park was definitely a highlight for me, it’s not something you’d expect to do in a city. Also, checking out all the quirky local cafes, or even just sitting at a random street food stall early in the morning, feels pretty unique to Tainan.

What is Tainan famous for?

Food, food, and more food. Tainan is known as the food capital of Taiwan for a reason. Beyond that, it’s famous for being the oldest city in Taiwan, full of history, temples, and a more traditional feel compared to Taipei.

How to get from Taipei to Tainan?

You can take the High-Speed Rail (HSR), which is super fast (about 1.5 hours), but just know that the HSR station is pretty far from the city center, so you’ll need an extra local train or taxi. Alternatively, you can take a normal train straight into the city center.

Final Thoughts on the Best Things to Do in Tainan Taiwan

I really loved my time in Tainan. Even though I spent about four days here, I think you can get a pretty decent feel for the city in just a couple of days, especially if you focus on eating your way around and exploring at your own pace.

It’s a city that feels very different to Taipei, and that’s exactly why I think it’s worth adding to your Taiwan itinerary. Tainan is all about character, slower vibes, old temples, and amazing local eats.

I hope this little guide on the best things to do in Tainan gives you a good starting point for your own trip. Have fun getting lost in those alleyways and stuffing your face at night markets!