Hotels in Tainan

Tainan Hotels

Blood red pillars and glorious gold leaf carvings decorate the many lavish temples and forts that occupy Taiwan’s historical hub – Tainan. As the oldest city in Taiwan, it carries the scars of the country’s turbulent history in its museums and monuments, but make no mistake - Tainan’s not afraid to look forward. The city has established itself as a modern, vibrant vacation destination, with lively nightlife, and busy restaurants serving delicious local delicacies like dan zai noodles - a garlicky noodle broth, filled with fat shrimps.

Things to see

Climb to the top of Anping Fort’s tower, which peeks above the trees, for a 360 degree view of the city. The heavily restored building is spectacular, but try and find the crumbling original walls, which are hidden around the back of the main building. Look closely, and you’ll see tiny sea shells in the rice-based mortar that holds the wall together. Once you’re finished at the fort, take the short walk to nearby Anping Tree House - where you can snap surreal photos, and shelter from the heat in a former warehouse, which has been well and truly reclaimed by nature. The roots of a huge banyan tree have gripped the building, snaking into every available space. Elsewhere in the city, giant canons stretch out to sea from the red brick walls of the Eternal Golden Castle, which guards the coast. Arrive in the afternoon for the firing ceremony, to hear explosions cracking through the air as the canons are lit.

Hotels in Tainan

Tainan may be an old city, but its hotels are certainly not lacking in modern luxuries. Enjoy the sun on your back as you move through the shimmering waters of a curved outdoor pool, before drying off to read a book on a comfortable bed in the sun. The city can offer 5 star hotels that retain a traditional Taiwanese design aesthetic, while offering modern touches - like widescreen TVs, memory foam mattresses, and free bottles of sparkling champagne. Many Tainan hotels have their own restaurants attached, so sit down to taste fried shrimp rolls, or another Tainan specialty – sweet eel noodle soup. Humble accommodation will suit any backpackers traveling through East Asia, providing comfortable beds and internet access for the price of a single meal.

Where to stay

The city center’s perfectly located high rise accommodation means you can enjoy lazy mornings on a balcony overlooking the city, before descending for a walking tour of the spectacular temples hidden around the city. The sound of bows scraping violins to play traditional Taiwanese folk music will beckon you towards Chihkan Tower - where the building’s gently lit, curvy roof, creates an atmospheric concert venue. If you want to escape the city, and give your aching muscles a soothing, head up to the hills above Tainan, where you can soak in the natural spa waters of Guanzihling. The area’s just as therapeutic for the mind as it is for the body, and you can walk down twisting wooden walkways, looking out over mist smeared hills and mountains, before retiring to a bubbling spa for the evening.

How to get to Tainan

Tainan has its own small airport, and it’s possible to fly here directly from Hong Kong. Flights to either Kaohsiung International Airport, or the larger Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport will be easier to arrange, however. Reaching Tainan from other Taiwanese cities has been greatly simplified by the Taiwan High Speed Rail link. You can travel from Taoyuan to Tainan in just 1 hour 45 minutes by hopping aboard – although the station is a little outside the city.