Historic Tainan

Spend an enlightening day exploring the landmarks in Tainan, the former capital of Taiwan and the island’s oldest city. One of the most historical buildings is Chihkan Tower, which the Dutch constructed as Fort Provintia in the mid-1600s. Now a museum, it boasts exhibits that celebrate the Qing Dynasty’s victory over the Dutch. You will also visit Anping, an even earlier Dutch-built fort. Most of the fort is a replica, as the original building materials were used for other structures once the Dutch were ousted from Tainan in the late 1600s. The city’s first Confucius temple is also from around the same time period. Although no longer a center of Confucian learning, it is still considered one of Tainan’s most sacred sites. While there, you may see locals practicing tai chi in the courtyards. For a glimpse into the lifestyles of the early Chinese and Dutch settlers, you will browse the former trading post Merchant & Co.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Delve into the 17th-century history of Tainan, the island’s oldest city.
• Recognize how the Dutch influenced the island by building forts and a trading post.
• Enjoy the serenity of the Tainan Confucius Temple, once an esteemed learning center.