If you've been to Taiwan or are making plans to visit, chances are you haven't heard of Tainan, which is located on the southwestern part of the island. Often overlooked by tourists, the ancient capital certainly has its own charm, with attractions catering to not just history and art enthusiasts, but also to nature lovers.
Thankfully, Tainan got a taste of the spotlight earlier this year as it hosted the 35th Taiwan Lantern Festival, attracting thousands of local and international visitors. Over 300 lanterns were on display in the 400-year-old city from late February to early March, with a giant rotating luminescent dragon statue as the event's centerpiece. (More on that here.)
Tainan can easily be added to your Taiwan itinerary as a day trip via train from either Taipei in the north or Kaohsiung in the south. (More on Kaohsiung here.)
Here are three of the must-visit attractions in Tainan, as recommended by the Taiwan Tourism Administration during a recent familiarization tour:
Chimei Museum
It's easy to spend a day in Chimei Museum, dubbed as a "Museum for All" with its vast collection of Western art, weapons and armor, musical instruments, and natural history artifacts.
If for some reason you're not interested to look at the pieces, you can take photos around the palace-like museum and its huge garden with replicas of Greek and Roman statues.
Anping Old Fort
Immerse yourself in history at Anping Old Fort, formerly called Fort Zeelandia, which served as an administrative center of the Dutch regime in the 1600s.
Remnants of the old brick wall are still standing, with the fort repaired and expanded to include a museum and an observation deck for visitors.
Make sure to check out the local snacks and souvenirs that surround the historic site to complete your experience.
Arwin Therapy Garden
A must-visit for plantitas or plant lovers, Arwin Therapy Garden has roses in almost every color, all neatly planted in a French-style space.
There are benches where you can take in the views or pose for photos, pockets of foliage, a mini waterfall, food and beverage outlets, and a shop selling soaps and aromatherapy products.