📖 About Tainan

Tainan is Taiwan's oldest city and former capital, located on the southwestern coast. With approximately 1.9 million residents, this historic city was Taiwan's political and economic center for over 200 years. The city is known as the "Capital City" and preserves more temples and historic sites than any other Taiwanese city.

Tainan is considered Taiwan's food capital—famous dishes like danzai noodles and coffin bread originated here. The city's relaxed pace contrasts with bustling Taipei. Tainan represents traditional Taiwan—historic temples, culinary heritage, and the cultural roots of Taiwanese identity.

🏛️ Top Attractions

💼 Economy & Culture

Tech manufacturing includes the Southern Taiwan Science Park with major semiconductor production. Traditional industries and agriculture remain important. Tourism draws visitors to historic sites. Commerce serves the southern region. The economy combines tech strength with traditional sectors.

Traditional Taiwanese culture thrives—temples number in hundreds, festivals are constant. Taiwanese language (Hokkien) is widely spoken alongside Mandarin. Buddhist and Taoist traditions flourish. Food culture is unmatched—Tainan is Taiwan's culinary capital. The culture values tradition, religious practice, and the slower pace of the ancient capital.

📜 History

Dutch colonization (1624) established Fort Zeelandia at Anping. Koxinga expelled the Dutch (1662) and made Tainan capital of the Kingdom of Tungning. Qing dynasty rule developed the city further as Taiwan's administrative center.

Japanese colonial period moved the capital to Taipei. Post-war Tainan developed as cultural center while losing political importance. Recent decades saw heritage preservation and culinary tourism. Today Tainan is Taiwan's cultural heart—ancient temples, legendary food, and the living history of the island nation.