What visitors recommend
Traveler tips from forum threads, not official advice.
Anping
A commenter suggests a full day: Anping Mazu temple, Anping Old Fort, Anping Old Street for lunch, and Anping Tree House.
Discussion on r/taiwan Not yet verified
Hayashi Department Store
Recommended for its history; a 1930s department store, now shops and a rooftop.
Discussion on r/taiwan Not yet verified
Chimei Museum
Mentioned by more than one commenter in the same thread.
Discussion on r/taiwan Not yet verified
Bike along the Anping canal at sunset
One commenter suggests riding to the sunset platform in the evening.
Discussion on r/taiwan Not yet verified
Pick Tainan for history
A traveler comparing day trips found Tainan the most interesting for history and art.
Discussion on r/taiwantravel Not yet verified
Lesser-known spots
Sicao Green Tunnel
A short boat ride through a mangrove canopy north of Anping; shuttle route 98 stops at Sihcao (Dazhong Temple).
Cigu Salt Mountain
A hill of salt at an old salt works; it's the end of shuttle route 98's extended run.
Source: Taiwan Tourist Shuttle: 98 Fucheng Taijiang Route (98)
Getting there
From Taipei: THSR to THSR Tainan Station, then walk to TRA Shalun Station and take the Shalun Line to TRA Tainan Station. Or take TRA all the way. In town, shuttle route 98 links the old town and Anping (NT$18 per section).
Taiwan Tourist Shuttle
Taiwan Tourist Shuttle is a network of tourist bus routes, a bit like a hop-on hop-off bus, except most routes charge per ride.
Check timetables on the official site first. Schedules and fares change.
Before you go
- Get a SIM or eSIM that comes with a Taiwan phone number, so text-message codes from local services reach you.
- THSR's website and T Express app take Visa, Mastercard, and JCB; American Express works online only if issued in Taiwan.
- A regular EasyCard won't open THSR gates, so buy a THSR ticket.
- Reserved THSR seats sold out? A non-reserved ticket works on any train on its travel date.
- If THSR online payment keeps failing, you can still pay at a station or convenience store, or buy at the ticket window.
- You can book TRA tickets online with a foreign card and pick them up with your passport.
- Top up your EasyCard with cash at convenience stores or MRT stations.
- Night markets and small food stalls usually take cash only, so carry small NT$ bills and coins.
Best time
Garden Night Market runs Thursday to Sunday, 17:00 to midnight; plan your night-market evening around it. Many old food shops are cash only.
Sources and verified date
Checked 2026-10-20
- Checked Tainan Travel (Tainan City Government)
- Checked Tainan Travel (Tainan City Government)
- Checked Taiwan Tourist Shuttle: 98 Fucheng Taijiang Route (98)
- Checked Tainan Travel (Tainan City Government)
Not yet verified
- Reddit comments read via search-index snapshot, not opened directly.
- Shalun Line ride time from THSR site, link status recorded in links check.
- Sicao boat fare/hours not taken from an official page.