035 View from the top of the fort

There are so many things to do in Tainan and day 2 of our Taiwan trip was when we really started to explore Tainan altogether. Early on in the morning, we decided to set off from 1967 City Central Hotel Tainan to Anping Old Fort by foot. The entire journey took approximately 2 hours but we had several stops along the way, most of them at 7-11 (affectionately known by locals as “seven”)…

Things to do in Tainan Taiwan

Enroute to Anping Old Fort

From 1967 Hotel Tainan to Anping Old Fort, we passed by several attractions in Tainan, including the National Museum of Taiwan Literature, Confucius Temple,

 National Museum of Taiwan Literature Tainan
National Museum of Taiwan Literature Tainan
 Inside the  compound of the Confucius Temple
Inside the compound of the Confucius Temple
Dacheng Men or Gate of Great Achievements
Dacheng Men or Gate of Great Achievements
Confusius Temple Tainan
Confusius Temple Tainan
 Danan Men aka South Gate Tainan
Danan Men aka South Gate Tainan
Taking a break at
Taking a break at “Seven”
Tainan High Court
Tainan High Court
 The Indigenous Culture Chamber Tainan
The Indigenous Culture Chamber Tainan
 Map of Anping District Tainan
Map of Anping District Tainan

Although the walk in Tainan was wonderful (mostly because I was walking with my lover – Kate) but IT WAS HOT!!! We had to stop at several 7-11 along the way to cool down (mostly by enjoying the free air conditioning) and replenish our water lost due to the intense heat. It was about 33 degrees Celsius so if you’re taking the same walk in the June period, remember to pack a bottle of water and probably an umbrella to block off the sun’s rays.

About 2 hours later (and it was still before 10am!), we arrived at Anping District!

Anping Old District and Anping Fort

After crossing Tainan River (台南运河),we finally entered Anping District! The Anping District is one of the old towns in Tainan and is one of the tourist attractions in Tainan. It can get pretty crowded, especially during the weekends where the stalls are open (with games and food, even during the day) and of course, many flock to visit the Anping Old Fort. Nearby, you can also stay at the Anping Old House for a local feel of the area. Entrance to the Anping Old Fort costs only NT50 ($2 SGD) and you will be able to ascend the Anping Watch tower and visit exhibitions to understand the history of the fort as well as that of Taiwan…

 Crossing the Bridge to Anping Old Fort 安平古堡
Crossing the Bridge to Anping Old Fort 安平古堡
View of the 安平运河 Anping River
View of the 安平运河 Anping River
Ticketing at Anping Old Fort NT50
Ticketing at Anping Old Fort NT50
Remains of Anping Fort Wall
Remains of Anping Fort Wall
Zheng Cheng Gong who attacked the Dutch and ruled for a short period
Zheng Cheng Gong who attacked the Dutch and ruled for a short period
Anping Old Fort 安平古堡
Anping Old Fort 安平古堡
Canons at Anping Fort
Canons at Anping Fort
 View over Anping from Watch Tower
View over Anping from Watch Tower
Inside Fort Zeelandia Exhibition
Inside Fort Zeelandia Exhibition

Rui Zhen Restaurant (瑞珍虾仁馄饨)and Anping Tree House

Right next to the Anping Old Fort lies a restaurant by the name of Rui Zhen (aka 瑞珍虾仁馄饨). One could possibly pass by it if not for the persistent calling by the restaurant’s owner. Having seen several features of the restaurant (with local Taiwanese celebrities and even one with Singapore’s 早安您好), we decided to give it a try and we were glad that we did!

During this visit, we ordered several of the restaurant’s specialties including the oyster mee sua, coffin bread (棺材板)as well as the shrimp dumplings, all at a reasonable price of NT60. The mee sua had many fresh, huge oysters and the garlicky but fresh taste of the soup made it an irresistible dish. The coffin bread was crispy at the toasted edges while the shrimp dumplings had a crisp bite on the outside and a sweet crunch of the prawn on the inside. Yum!

After the scrumptious lunch, we headed towards the Anping Tree House for a visit. Though we did not enter, we were able to catch a glimpse of the tree house as we headed towards 海头…

 Inside Rui Zhen Restaurant 瑞珍虾仁馄饨
Inside Rui Zhen Restaurant 瑞珍虾仁馄饨
Specialties recommended by Taiwan Tourism Board at Rui Zhen
Specialties recommended by Taiwan Tourism Board at Rui Zhen
Menu of Rui Zhen Restaurant Anping District
Menu of Rui Zhen Restaurant Anping District
瑞珍虾仁馄饨 Shrimp Dumpling, Coffin Bread and Oyster Mee Sua
瑞珍虾仁馄饨 Shrimp Dumpling, Coffin Bread and Oyster Mee Sua
Outside Rui Zhen Restaurant Anping
Outside Rui Zhen Restaurant Anping
Aunty making Fried Oysters Taiwanese Style
Aunty making Fried Oysters Taiwanese Style
Introduction to Anping Tree House
Introduction to Anping Tree House
 海头 at Anping
海头 at Anping
View of Anping Tree House
View of Anping Tree House

Si Cao Green Tunnel ? Anping Tong Ji Beancurd

Kate who planned the entire Taiwan trip, remembered that the Si Cao Green Tunnel was in the vicinity of Anping District. After cooling down at Seven, we headed to the bus stop next to it to see if any bus went there. Unfortunately, we did not know that there were actually tourist buses that ply between Si Cao Green Tunnel and Anping District, all the way back to Tainan Train Station. As a result, we took a cab. Though it was not THAT expensive, the 5 minutes taxi ride from Anping to Si Cao costs NT165 (about $6 SGD on meter). Fortunately for us, we caught the bus 99 on the way back for only NT18 per person. There are 2 public tourist buses that ply the vicinity – Buses 88 and 99. Do check out these bus routes for easy access to the tourist attractions of Tainan. But do take note of the bus timings as well. Sometimes, if you miss a bus, you might have to wait for about an hour!

As we did not get to eat the famous Anping Tong Ji Beancurd in Anping itself, we were glad that we were able to try it at its other stall near our hotel back in Tainan city. We tried the traditional beancurd (NT30) and the shaved ice series (NT55) and were quite satisfied with these choices. You can choose 1 “topping” for the beancured (we chose lemon) and 2 “toppings” for the shaved ice (we chose red bean and strawberry sauce). Special mention must go to the beancurd with lemon which was surprisingly nice and refreshing! But do not expect soft silky textures like those in Singapore, this version has the traditional textures with a firm texture to taste!

Si Cao Green Tunnel  Cruise for NT150
Si Cao Green Tunnel Cruise for NT150
Si Cao Green Corridor Ticketing Booths
Si Cao Green Corridor Ticketing Booths
What you can expect to see at the Green Tunnel
What you can expect to see at the Green Tunnel
四草綠色隧道
四草綠色隧道
Bus 99 plying Anping and Si Cao Green Tunnel
Bus 99 plying Anping and Si Cao Green Tunnel
Tong Ji An Ping Beancurd 同記安平豆花
Tong Ji An Ping Beancurd 同記安平豆花
Menu of Tong Ji An Ping Beancurd
Menu of Tong Ji An Ping Beancurd
 Traditional Beancurd with Shaved Ice
Traditional Beancurd with Shaved Ice
Inside 同記安平豆花
Inside 同記安平豆花

Hua Yuan Night Market aka 花園夜市 Tainan

Huayuan Night Market (aka 花園夜市)was the first night of many night markets that we would be visiting during this Taiwan trip and it is also one of the must do things in Tainan. At a typical night market, you’d get to shop, eat and play games. Huayuan night market covers all of this PLUS the fact that you can get a HUGE PORTION OF SWEET MANGOES FOR ONLY NT50!

Remember to take 0左 (Zero Left – this bus loops so if you take Zero Right you’d probably still reach Huayuan Night Market but maybe 2 hours later?) from Tainan bus terminal (next to the Tainan Train Station) for NT18. The trip is about 8 stops and most people (after 5pm) would stop here. Do note that the special stop for Huayuan Night Market is only activated after 5pm, so do check in with the bus driver for specific directions.

And here’s a quick snap shot of what we did at Hua Yuan Night Market!

Taking 0左 to Huayuan Night Market
Taking 0左 to Huayuan Night Market
花園夜市 Hua Yuan Night Market
花園夜市 Hua Yuan Night Market
Popular Papaya Milk Shake at Huayuan Night Market
Popular Papaya Milk Shake at Huayuan Night Market
Wildly Popular Braised Stall at Huayuan Night Market
Wildly Popular Braised Stall at Huayuan Night Market
Turkish Sandwich
Turkish Sandwich
Fried Oyster for NT50
Fried Oyster for NT50
Fried Oyster Stall Hua Yuan Night Market
Fried Oyster Stall Hua Yuan Night Market
 Smelly Fried Beancurd Stall at Huayuan Night Market
Smelly Fried Beancurd Stall at Huayuan Night Market
臭豆腐花園夜市
臭豆腐花園夜市
Game Stalls Hua Yuan Night Market
Game Stalls Hua Yuan Night Market
Shopping Options at Hua Yuan Night Market
Shopping Options at Hua Yuan Night Market
Taking
Taking 0右 back from Hua Yuan Night Market




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On the way back from Hua Yuan Night Market, we actually waited for 1 hour before the bus came! We must have just missed the bus as we headed towards the bus stop. Hence, it is important to be about 5 to 10 minutes earlier than the stipulated time in order not to wait such a long time for the bus back!

All in all, we had a fantastic day out in Tainan and there are still more fantastic things to do in Tainan Taiwan. Do tell us more in the comments section below about the fun and interesting things that you’ve done in Tainan as well!

You have just finished a post on our Taiwan Trip in 2014 which started here. Here is the full list of posts written about Taiwan Trip 2014…

Singapore to Tainan : Taiwan Trip Day 1
Things to do in Tainan Taiwan Trip Day 2
鹿早茶屋 Opposite 1967 Hotel Tainan
Things to do in Chiayi Taiwan Trip Day 3
Chiayi Attractions Taiwan Trip Day 4
Changhua Meatballs (彰化肉圓) : Which is the Best?
What to eat at Feng Jia Night Market (逢甲夜市)?
Changhua Taichung Taiwan Trip Day 5
Things to do in Taichung Taiwan Trip Day 6
Things to do in Miaoli Taiwan Trip Day 7
Kuo Tai Glass Park Zhunan Day Trip
Things to do in Taoyuan Taiwan Trip Day 8
Taoyuan Attractions Taiwan Trip Day 9
Things to do in Taipei Taiwan Trip Day 10

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4 Comments

  1. A wonderful summary of Tainan. Seems like you managed to pack all the highlights into this visit. Nicely done.

    1. Thanks Fili! It was fun-filled day checking out the things to do and attractions in Tainan such as Anping Old Fort, Hua Yuan Night Market and of course the FOOD!

  2. Nice post! I also enjoyed visting Fort Provintia!

    1. Hey Ulrich,

      Thanks for checking in! Now we know the English name for the Fort! 🙂

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