The seats were very clean and eating on the train was allowed! It was almost a two-hour ride and we enjoyed it very much because we were able to take a nap. Tainan is at the Southern part of Taiwan and the picturesque scenery gave us too much of provincial vibes.
After the THSR, we rode a bus going to Tainan. It was still raining so we weren’t able to go down to the right stopover. We first went to visit the Anping Tree House.
How to get there: After the THSR, we rode a bus going to Tainan.
Entrance fee: 50 NTD
What can you see? If you are into creepy stuff and love horror movies, this is a perfect spot for your creative imagination. It was a former warehouse that was abandoned but it was good that the government decided to open the place as a tourist destination.
Because it was just across away from the Tree House, our next destination was the Anping Old Fort (Fort Zeelandia).
How to get there: A five minutes walk across the Anping Tree House.
Entrance fee: 50 NTD
What can you see? The whole Tainan! The place was built by Dutch to strengthen their defense. It was awesome to look at the old Tainan through the photos and things that existed during the time that Dutch took over Formosa (present-day Taiwan).
I believed the last part of discovering Tainan was the most unforgettable (right friends?) because we did not only explore the beauty and history of Tainan, we met a new and special friend.
We decided to avail the English Walking Tour!
My friend, Marianne emailed the Tourism Bureau of Tainan City Government and they sent a representative, the very energetic and gleeful Miss Judy Chou who met us.
How to get there: Bus ride to Tainan Confucius Temple
Entrance fee: Free (But prefer your most comfortable shoes because you are going to walk for miles!)
What can you see? When my friends told me that they wanted to have the walking tour, I remembered the walking tour that I had in New Orleans. I conditioned myself that we were going to walk for quite some time but I was not prepared that we would walk continuously from afternoon till evening! Our feet might be sore yet our minds were filled with so much information from the history of Tainan, appreciating Confucius Temple and other notable temples (the structure and symbolism of a temple, the proper way of entering a temple based on your birth ranking and the importance and contribution of Confucius with the people), the magnificent Wu’s Garden, Hayashi Department Store and their cool time elevator (the biggest department store in Tainan), and the majestic National Museum of Taiwan Literature (the very first national museum dedicated to the literary arts lover like me!) Our stomachs were also satisfied because we got to taste delicious delicacies and dishes that only in Tainan.
The second day was truly a busy and exhausting for us but we survived! Watch out what was store for us on our third day in Taiwan.
Take note: Going to Taiwan is VISA FREE starting this November! Start saving your pocket money!