Tainan

Temples, Night Markets and Ancient Soul

Tainan is Taiwan’s oldest city with over four centuries of history. Founded in the early 1600s, it was once the island’s main port and a hub for trade between East Asia and Europe. Today, Tainan preserves its heritage through temples, old streets and local markets where traditional foods like danzai noodles are still made by hand. The city mixes colonial architecture with modern life along canals and rivers that shaped its growth. Museums and preserved sites provide insight into Taiwan’s early days as a crossroads of cultures.

Add to list Map view

City in Taiwan

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 8.4

General Safety:	9
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	8

Read details

3/5

English is spoken in most hotels, tourist attractions, and by younger locals, but less so in small shops and markets. Most signage is bilingual, and basic English is usually enough for visitors in tourist areas.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

* We earn a commission from some links on this page.

Tainan Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Outstanding for Taiwanese food and history. Visit historic temples and forts, explore traditional streets and enjoy famous street food and night markets.

Place score

7.9

Best at:

Local cuisine

Street food

Walkable

Sea

Spotless

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 8

Seniors

🛡️ 9

Travel Beginners

👩 8

Solo

Taiwan – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	110 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	New Taiwan Dollar (TWD) £1 ≈ NT$43.16
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in Taiwan, especially in major cities. The EasyCard (a stored-value card for public transport and convenience stores) and mobile payments such as Apple Pay and Google Pay are common. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not expected in Taiwan, and it is not common to leave tips in restaurants, taxis, or hotels.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in Taiwan, but alcohol is typically consumed in licensed venues such as bars and restaurants.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces, but there are designated smoking areas outdoors.

Lunar New Year (date varies)	Celebrated with family gatherings and feasts
National Day (10 October)	Taiwan’s National Day

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 110 (Police), 119 (Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Taiwan Taxi
Other:	Taiwan is known for its night markets, beautiful mountains, and vibrant cities. It is a popular destination for food lovers and nature enthusiasts.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Tainan, Taiwan

🌤️

Jan

🌤️

Feb

🌤️

Mar

🔥

Apr

🌦️

May

⛈️

Jun

⛈️

Jul

⛈️

Aug

🌦️

Sep

🔥

Oct

🌤️

Nov

🌤️

Dec

High season:	Jan. - March, Nov. - Dec.
Shoulder season:	April - May, Oct.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Plum rain season May to June brings heavy downpours; typhoon season July to October peaks August to September

Chinese New Year (late January to mid February): temples packed, many shops and restaurants close for several days

Don't miss

🏯 Explore the historic Tainan Confucius Temple grounds
🗼 Visit the iconic Chihkan Tower with its rich history
🚶‍♀️ Stroll through atmospheric Shennong Old Street
🖼️ Discover art and culture at Chimei Museum
🍢 Taste local delicacies at the lively Garden Night Market
🏰 Admire views from the top of Anping Fort

You've been here?

Why travel to Tainan?

Tainan is the cultural heart of Taiwan, packed with historic temples, quirky shrines and fascinating museums. It’s a dream for foodies – locals claim it’s the best place to eat on the island, with everything from oyster omelets to coffin bread and endless night market snacks. The city’s Confucius Temple, Chihkan Tower and Anping Fort showcase its rich history, while creative parks and art streets keep things fresh. Beyond the center, you can soak in hot springs, explore salt mountains or cruise the Sicao Green Tunnel. But Tainan isn’t just about the sights: it’s about wandering atmospheric old streets, people-watching in leafy parks and discovering hidden gems in every alley. Be aware, though, that summers are hot and humid, traffic can be hectic and some attractions are spread out – so plan your days and stay hydrated. During big festivals, crowds are intense and the Yanshui Beehive Rockets Festival is famously wild (and not for the faint-hearted).

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Chihkan Tower
2 Fort Zeelandia
3 Confucius Temple
4 Chimei Museum
5 Shennong Street
6 The Grand Matsu Temple
7 Koxinga Shrine
8 Tainan Art Museum (Building 2)

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Anping Tree House
2 Tainan Park
3 Sicao Mangrove Green Tunnel
4 Cigu Salt Mountain
5 Taijiang National Park
6 Yuguang Island
7 Wushantou Reservoir (Coral Lake)

🛍️Shopping

1 Hayashi Department Store

🎈Events

Yanshui Beehive Rockets Festival (Feb)
Lunar New Year temple fairs
Dragon Boat Festival
Tainan International Chihsi Arts Festival
Mid-Autumn Festival
Confucius Birthday Ceremony
Tainan Lantern Festival
Ghost Festival
Anping Oyster Festival
Spring and autumn temple parades

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Come hungry; Tainan is Taiwan’s street-food capital.
Base yourself near West Central District for temples, old streets, cafés and easy transport links.
Rent a scooter or use buses for Anping; sights are spread out and walking gets hot.
Go temple-hopping at dusk, then hit a night market – many signature snacks sell out surprisingly early.

How to travel to Tainan

Tainan is easily reached by high-speed rail (HSR) from Taipei, Taichung or Kaohsiung (the HSR station is outside the city, so transfer by taxi or shuttle bus). Regular trains and long-distance buses connect Tainan to other cities. Tainan Airport has domestic and some international flights. From the HSR station or airport, taxis, buses and rental cars are available for the city center.

Access summary

From Tainan Airport (TNN): Short taxi or bus ride, about 15–25 minutes.
From Taipei: High-speed rail to Tainan HSR, roughly 1.5–2 hours.
From Kaohsiung: Regular trains or buses, usually about 45–90 minutes.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Tainan

Tainan offers everything from boutique hotels and stylish guesthouses in the city center to budget hostels and high-end resorts. For the full experience, stay one night in the city center (close to temples and night markets) and another in Anping for a quieter, historic vibe. Book ahead during festivals and weekends, as the best places fill quickly.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Silks Place Tainan

9.3

LakeShore Hotel Tainan

9.3

U.I.J Hotel&Hostel (UIJ)

9.5

Grand Banyan Hotel

9.4

FX Hotel Tainan Minsheng Rd

Evergreen Plaza Hotel (Tainan)

9.0

Hotel de L'eau -Anping

9.1

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Tainan

Tainan’s city center is walkable, especially around the main temples and markets. For further sights, local buses, taxis and rental scooters are popular – just be cautious in busy traffic. Cycling is a great way to explore Anping and quieter districts. Attractions like Guanziling and Cigu are best reached by car, taxi or private driver, as public transport can be slow or infrequent. Plan ahead for off-the-beaten-path spots and expect crowds during major festivals.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-56 %

Daily expenses in Tainan are around 56% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-11 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to TWD) is 11% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£28	£60	£173
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£8	£26	£68
🍝 Food per day	£18	£30	£91
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£4	£15

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£9.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£4.10
🍟 Fast food combo	£3.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£7.50
☕ Cappuccino	£2.60
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£2.40

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.44
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£9.50
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.75

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£7.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£49
🤧 Cold medication	£9.50
💇 Basic haircut	£7

Safety information overview

General safety

Tainan is very safe, with low crime rates. Usual precautions apply: keep valuables secure in busy areas and at night markets. Scooters and traffic can be hectic — cross streets carefully and avoid riding at night if inexperienced.

Health & Medical

Medical care is excellent, with clinics and pharmacies throughout the city. Tap water is officially potable, but most locals and visitors use bottled or filtered water. Mosquitoes can be an issue in summer — use repellent. Bring any needed medication.

Accessibility

Most main attractions, hotels and markets are accessible, but sidewalks can be uneven and some old streets have steps. Wheelchair access is improving, but check ahead for specific needs. Public transport is generally accessible.

Tap water

Tap water is officially potable but most visitors use bottled or filtered water for drinking. Public fountains are rare — carry a refillable bottle, especially in the heat.

Packing recommendations for Tainan

📷

Camera

👟

Comfortable walking shoes

🌞

Sun cream

🚰

Reusable water bottle

👕

Light, breathable clothing

👛

Cash in small denominations

🪪

Copies of passport and important documents

leave the original at your hotel

📱

Travel eSIM

🔌

Universal travel adaptor

Type A/B

💳

Credit card with no foreign transaction fees

Nearby recommended places

Taipei

Taichung

Kaohsiung

Kenting National Park

Sun Moon Lake

Alishan

Looking for inspiration?

Discover

The best street food destinations treat the cart, stall or hawker counter as a serious culinary format rather than a budget substitute for a real meal. In cities with strong street…

Discover

Travelling with a food allergy adds a layer of planning most people never have to think about and the right destination can make that planning a lot easier. Some travellers…

Discover

Asia is perfect for couples who want their holiday to feel like a shared adventure rather than just a change of scenery. Few continents offer so many ways to be amazed together.…

Discover

Asia has some of the most extraordinary market cultures on earth, shaped by thousands of years of trade and an extraordinary diversity of produce, cuisine, and craft traditions.…

Discover

Asia has one of the best established beginner travel routes anywhere, largely because so many first time travelers have worn the path before you. Southeast Asia in particular…

Discover

Walk through almost any city in Asia after dark and the real dinner rush is often happening on the sidewalk rather than inside a restaurant. Southeast Asia has some of the…

Discover

Traditional destinations are those where cultural practices, craftsmanship, ceremony and ways of life that predate industrialisation and mass tourism remain visible and active…

Discover

Asia is where most solo travelers figure out they can actually do this. The backpacker trails through Southeast Asia have been running for decades, and the infrastructure along…

Discover

Travelling alone sounds like a bigger deal than it is. The first day feels strange – eating dinner by yourself, navigating without someone to double-check the map with, making…

Discover

Asia has real strengths for allergy conscious travelers once you know what to look for, since several of its cuisines are naturally suited to specific diets. Rice based diets…

Discover

Working from anywhere in the world sounds simple until you actually try it and the best digital nomad destinations look different depending on what kind of remote worker you are.…

Discover

Travelling as a couple sounds simple enough, yet the best couple holiday destinations mean something different to almost every pair. What feels romantic to one couple can feel like…

Discover

Asia offers some of the most senior friendly infrastructure anywhere, alongside destinations that still call for a bit more independence and stamina. Japan in particular stands…

Discover

Asia has quietly become one of the most popular continents for remote work, and it is easy to see why once you look past the obvious hubs. Some remote workers gravitate toward…

Discover

The most compelling history destinations are places where the past is still physically present and legible in the landscape, the architecture and the daily life of the people who…

Was this page helpful?

Summary:	Mild, dry and sunny, ideal for sightseeing
Temperature:	14 – 23 °C
Water temp.:	23 °C
Rain:	17 mm (Scattered light rain)
Crowdedness:	Many tourists

Summary:	Mild, dry and sunny, ideal for sightseeing
Temperature:	15 – 24 °C
Water temp.:	24 °C
Rain:	28 mm (On-and-off light rain)
Crowdedness:	Many tourists

Summary:	Warm and dry, good for sightseeing
Temperature:	17 – 26 °C
Water temp.:	24 °C
Rain:	39 mm (On-and-off light rain)
Crowdedness:	Many tourists

Summary:	Hot and sunny, humidity rising
Temperature:	21 – 29 °C
Water temp.:	26 °C
Rain:	80 mm (Moderate rainy days)
Crowdedness:	Few tourists

Summary:	Hot, plum rains begin, heavy showers
Temperature:	24 – 31 °C
Water temp.:	27 °C
Rain:	171 mm (Heavy rain most days)
Crowdedness:	Few tourists