Taiwan 12-Day Vacation - Day 4 - Part B Anping, Tainan

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After lunch, we took a cab for Anping which is about 20 minutes away from the city centre of Tainan. 


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The Anping District (安平區； Ānpíng qū) is one of the most popular destinations in the Tainan area is . The Anping District is the historical heart of Tainan, the original capital of Taiwan. Because Anping was the original Dutch settlement in Tainan, it has some of the oldest streets in the country. Of course, there are no 17th century houses, but these streets wind through the same footpaths where the early settlers walked. 

Here are some street life of this historic district.

Street scene in Anping

Another view of the buzz on Anping streets

Art and craft shops selling many interesting traditional items

One such shop - Spoilt for choice for all kinds of Chinese fans

Street food vendors aplenty - you never go hungry

On one of the many narrow alleys

Anping is home to the Anping Old Fort (安平古堡； Ānpíng gu bǎo), the Anping Tree House (安平樹屋 Ānpíng shù wū） (a warehouse with massive banyan trees growing out of it), and numerous restaurants and food stalls. 

Here is a walking map for Anping to help you look for the main sights and places of interest. You can download the map from this link.

Map on Historic Walk of Anping

Next, we looked for the infamous Anping Old Fort and there is really no problem finding it - we noted the distinct observatory tower and the number of tourists converging there and just follow them to the entrance.

The observation tower - an iconic structure for the area

I enjoyed walking through the extensive grounds which was well kept with many beautiful trees and shrubs as well.

 a statue of Koxinga

Yes, look out for the tourists for they come in bus loads.

Anping Fort isn’t much of a fort today; rather, it just mocks – in new, smooth bricks – a kind of pyramid that roughly resembles an old fort design

some cannon replicas

and some very nice trees

Hours: open daily from AM08:30 ~ PM17:30
Admission: General: NT$50; Concession: NT$25

Location: 82 Guosheng Road (國勝路), Anping District, Tainan City

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Taiwan 12-Day Vacation - Day 4 - Part A Leave Taitung for Tainan

Day 4

To check My Taiwan 12-Day Vacation Itinerary - See Link

This morning we woke up early to take the 7.40 am train to Tainan. We took a taxi there and reach there in good time.

Taiwan regional trains are clean and efficient. They are also very punctual and I enjoyed travelling in them from city to city. Check this link on how to book train tickets online.

Waiting for our train at the Taitung station

Inside the cabin of the train - clean and comfortable

Tainan was Taiwan’s political and military center from 1624 to 1885. It has been a gateway to Taiwan since the Dutch colonial period, and was flourished through the Zheng’s regime and the Qing dynasty. During the maritime age to the expansion development of early Han Chinese settlements lived in this island, Tainan played a significant role in the historical development of Taiwan. 

The start of Tainan development was occurred in 1624 while referring Dutch (VOC) Company arrived Taiwan and build Fort Zeelandia in An-ping to defended the Taijang Inner Sea as political and military center. Later, Tainan began to emerge dramatically development in 1662 when Ming loyalist Koxinga(Zheng) make agreement to Dutch (VOC) Company left Tainan and bring Han civilization and culture. 


By the end of 17 century, in 1683, the navy of the Qing dynasty led by General Shih Lang landed in Tainan and forced Zheng Ke-shung (grandson to Koxinga), to surrender. In 1684, the Qing government once again named Tainan as the capital of Taiwan

We stayed in the Premier hotel which is just 8 minutes walk from the Tainan train station. The hotel is nice and clean with good breakfast provided. Its rates are also very affordable.

Our room in Premier Hotel - clean and well maintained.

Next, we walked a few blocks from the hotel to look for some local food for lunch.

Had local noodles for lunch in this stall - she has been selling for the last 25 years.

After lunch we caught a cab and set off for Anping, the historic city of Taiwan.

Street scene of Tainan - advertising signs clamouring for attention

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Taiwan 12-Day Vacation - Day 3 Taitung

My Taiwan 12-Day Vacation Itinerary - See Link

We leave Hualien this morning via the 11am train to Taitung. It is a 2.5 hour journey and a wonderful train ride.

Arrived at Taitung around 1.30pm and took a taxi to the hotel - Travellers' Hotel. Since we only planning to stay for a night, this is a fairly basic hotel and the rooms are rather small.

Traveller Hotel - a rather basic hotel and good enough for a night's stay

Our 3 person bedroom - rather tight on space but we have no complains as were were out most of the time

The first thing we did was to look for lunch. We asked the hotel staff and they recommended us an eatery just 5 minutes walk away. It turned out the food was good and cheap.

Lunch at this eatery - very popular with the locals, long queues

Good and cheap lunch

Taitung is not a big city and that is why we like to see how some of the smaller cites in Taiwan are like. The city streets may not look appealing but Taitung greets visitors to a land of ecological richness and scenic beauty. The county is also known for its distinctive local products, from premium rice, day lilies, hibiscus, and sugar apples to sailfish, bonito(skipjack tuna), and other speciality seafood items.

City streets

Ethnic diversity has endowed Taitung with a unique culture, diverse festival occasions, and a vibrant tradition of oral history and myth to provide plenty of food for the mind.

Saw this old church building as we walk to Taitung Forest Park

Cyclists are also well served in Taitung. Taiwan's oldest bikeway—the Guanshan Bicycle Trail—is located here, and other cycling routes can be enjoyed in Longtian Village(Luye Township), Chishang, Taitung City, and coastal areas, all while cyclists are surrounded by fairytale-like scenic beauty.
Bikeway - Taitung county “boasts some of the best bicycling areas on the island.”

The 21-kilometer-long bike path that rings Taitung City – taking in the Seaside Park, Taitung Forest Park, and the Liji Badlands – is flat and safe, and so ideal for less-fervent cyclists.


These natural charms have earned Taitung the nickname as the "garden of Taiwan." True to this reputation, Taitung is a bona fide paradise for a healthy and relaxing holiday escape in nature's embrace.

Map of cycle tracks in Taitung

After our good lunch, we decided to walk to the Taitung Forest Park where one part of the park faces the Pacific Ocean. There, we rented our bicycles and rode for 2 hours to take in the views of this beautiful extensive park. See our pictures below.

Taitung Forest Park - the part that faces the Pacific Ocean

Rented bicycles and rode round the park for 2 hours

Serene and safe to ride a bike

Time to take a rest

Another view of the Park

Well worth spending a day in Taitung

To check My Taiwan 12-Day Vacation Itinerary - See Link