www.expedia.com/Tainan-and-vicinity.d6177060.Destination-Travel-Guides The city of Tainan rises from the southwestern coastal plains of Taiwan, and is often called The Birthplace of Taiwan. In 1624, Dutch traders established a fort on the sandy peninsula Anping. Wander the fort’s ramparts and the nearby ruins of a merchant house held together by banyan roots. Closer to the city center rises Chihkan Tower, Taiwan’s first official seat of power. Today, the tower is the keeping place of many of the city’s earliest records and treasures. With over 2000 temples and shrines, Tainan is also known as The Kyoto of Taiwan. Highlights include the Sacrificial Rites Martial Temple and the Confucian Temple. Although Tainan ceded its political power to Taipei over a century ago, the city remains a powerhouse in one of life’s most important aspects, food! Forget chic restaurants, the best food here is found on the streets and the city is often called The City of Snacks. One of the best places to sample Tainan specialties, like its legendary oyster omelets, is at its night markets. Tainan offers over two dozen night markets, but none quite compare to the sheer size, color and energy of the city’s favorite, the Flower Night Market. When it’s time to work off all that food, the city has plenty of places to stretch out, such as Tainan Park and Taijiang National Park. Locals love to say, “Taipei is Taiwan’s pocket, but Tainan, is the country’s heart.”

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