T'ai-nan Things to Do

It's at the foot of the Hutou Shan, and is one of the twelve famous spots in Taiwan. It's a milldam for irrigation founded during the years of Daukuang in Ching dynasty and was beautified in the age when Japanese occupied Taiwan. It's established eight big scenes: Husyi Dyauywe, Hutao Dauying, Huyu Kweiyun, Jyangtying Dzwoywe, Shweichyau Hungying, Jakou Feichywan, Guyu Lwohen, Haushang Kwanyu . On the lake there's a pontlevis going toward the small island rising above the lake, and a tiger-moon pavilion on the island is for visitors to enjoy the glisten of waves.

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The Temple of Heaven (Tian Tan) (天壇) at Wushantou is one of the biggest attractions there. The 'temple' is a recreation of the one in Beijing. However, this wooden Temple of Heaven is only 1/6th of the size of the actual temple; but it is still quite impressive and looks almost identical to the other. At times, the inside of the building may be open, but it was not during my visit. Supposedly, this Temple of Heaven, like the other, is made with no nails or mortar at all.

Unless you have plenty of money or time on your hands, Wushantou Resevoir (烏山頭水庫) isn't the best place to visit. Admission is unbelievably steep (NT 150 per person, plus NT 200 per vehicle, no discounts) and there really isn't much to see here. Wushantou is part of the Xilaya National Scenic Region, but the scenery here is mediocre, at best. When you enter the park, you're given a small map that shows you can drive a loop to all the attractions here. However, driving the loop is not possible.

One of the major attractions of the park is a small pond with dying water lilies in it. Not very interesting. If you continue on, you'll reach the park headquarters. You'll pass the Temple of Heaven and a Suspension Bridge before the road heads uphill and reaches the lake. Views of the lake aren't very pretty; not much to see. The road dead ends at the large dam which holds back the resevoir. The map says you can drive acrosst the dam, but you can't. You'll have to retrace your steps to access the other side of the park.

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There are a large number of public beaches around the city of Tainan. This is sort of obvious, considering Tainan’s proximity to the Strait of Taiwan. Generally, only locals head to the beaches here; visitors from Taipei or abroad would head to Kenting. The water here is considerably unclean, with pollutants abound from the neighboring factories and developments. You’re likely to see many cargo ships in the area, bound in the direction of Kaohsiung. The beach pictured here is about 20 minutes south of Tainan, between Tainan and Kaohsiung.

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At the top of the hill in the center of Anping Fort is the watchtower, a more recent addition to the fort; it was built by the Japanese in 1908, and from the its 23-meter tall vantage point you get a good view of the surrounding area. Upon entering the tower, a narrow staircase leads up to the top, where you can often feel the cool ocean breeze with a view of Tainan City, Anping District, the Anping Tianhou Temple, and the Strait of Taiwan in the distance. Quite a nice view; worth staying there for a while.

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Anping Fort (Anping Gubao) (Fort Zeelandia) (Fort Taiwan) (安平古保) is the biggest attraction of the Anping Historic District. This fort was built by the Dutch in 1624 at what was at the time a strategic position. Later, in 1661, Chinese general Koxinga besieged the fort, and the Dutch surrendered. Today almost the original entire fort has been destroyed; all that remains is a single, ivy-covered wall. The grounds of the fort are relatively large, and it’s easy to wander around. Admission is NT 40; the fort is open from 9:00 to 17:00. Inside you’ll also see many cannons, a small museum, and a watchtower.

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Located in the Anping Historic District, Eternal Golden Castle (Yitzhai-jingcheng) (億載金城) is a Chinese fort built to defend Taiwan from the Japanese. The fort was constructed in 1874 in a square shape, with four protruding corners; cannons were mounted at the four corners, as well as on the seaward side of the fort. Also, numerous guns and artillery can still be found on the walls of the fort. The fort has a moat and 8-meter (26 feet) thick walls. The interior grassy area was where Chinese soldiers used to train and exercise. There is also a statue of Shen Baozhen (the Qing dynasty general who ordered the construction of the fort). You can walk along the walls or beneath the tree-lined interior; there is also a glass-enclosed excavation of the fort’s walls. Admission is NT 40; hours are from 9:00 to 17:00.