AmyHuang
Tainan: Taiwan's oldest city
Tainan is the oldest city in the country, which makes it the perfect place for me to visit, to learn some history of my heritage, since I do only know so little.
Having been to Taipei, Tainan immediately seem 10 years behind. Streets are a chaos, public transport is in no way comparable and the shopping less flash, however do not underestimate this dusty city - it is just as up there with the technology and shopping as Taipei is.
The only down side is there aren't as much order on the streets as there were in Taipei, which meant every attempt at crossing the street was a possible heart attack. Thankfully at this point in my trip I have already mastered the local way of walking.
To the history part, Tainan has gone through more exchange of masters than any other areas in Taiwan. Chikan Towers in the town centre is a fine example of this. With old fortress walls and building foundations laid by the Dutch in 1653 still exist, the actual building is a re-construction by the Chinese and Japanese over the years.
Dutch had used Tainan as a gateway to their trades with other Asian countries in the 1600s, and their occupation is evident in another similar historical building over at the Anping harbour district. The Anping Fort was also built by the Dutch, used as a military base equipped with canons and guns. Formerly named as Fort Zeelandia, the current fort building were reconstructed by the Japanese during their occupation with some parts of the original Dutch walls remaining.
Next to the fort in the Anping district is the Anping Old Street. An area without the modern day fast food chains and convenient stores, the old street is lined with shops selling old day toys, traditional furnitures and decorations as well as old restaurants, where we enjoyed many traditional specialty Tainan dishes. Fishing families often gather on their front porch, shucking freshly harvested oysters to sell to local restaurants.
Back in the city, old temples dot around the city among the many concrete flats and office blocks. Many of these temples are dedicated to one Taoist god or goddess and are worth a visit to check out the traditional building and stone carvings on the walls and roofs. I pay a visit to the Matsu Temple, a quirky and complex temple opposite the Chikan Towers. I rub the three bronze figures at the alter, an action which is said to bring luck and wealth.
Let's see if it works eh?
Tainan city is also full of night markets and electronic gadget shopping. You are be sured not to get bored! Even walking around the streets are interesting sights such as a scrubby old make-shift kitchen serving piping hot noodles and traditional cold cuts such as pigs trotters and ears, and right next door would be Starbucks, full of youngsters in their most fashionable outfit, comparing MP3 players and mobile phones.
Tainan is indeed an interesting city!
Having been to Taipei, Tainan immediately seem 10 years behind. Streets are a chaos, public transport is in no way comparable and the shopping less flash, however do not underestimate this dusty city - it is just as up there with the technology and shopping as Taipei is.
Tainan Street scene. Red banners like these usually announces a religious festival
Ornamental Carps in the gardens of Chikan Tower, waiting to be fed. Fish food can be bought from vending machines!
The only down side is there aren't as much order on the streets as there were in Taipei, which meant every attempt at crossing the street was a possible heart attack. Thankfully at this point in my trip I have already mastered the local way of walking.
To the history part, Tainan has gone through more exchange of masters than any other areas in Taiwan. Chikan Towers in the town centre is a fine example of this. With old fortress walls and building foundations laid by the Dutch in 1653 still exist, the actual building is a re-construction by the Chinese and Japanese over the years.
Chikan Towers in Tainan
Dutch had used Tainan as a gateway to their trades with other Asian countries in the 1600s, and their occupation is evident in another similar historical building over at the Anping harbour district. The Anping Fort was also built by the Dutch, used as a military base equipped with canons and guns. Formerly named as Fort Zeelandia, the current fort building were reconstructed by the Japanese during their occupation with some parts of the original Dutch walls remaining.
Anping Fort (Fort Zeelandia)
Anping Fort (Fort Zeelandia)
Next to the fort in the Anping district is the Anping Old Street. An area without the modern day fast food chains and convenient stores, the old street is lined with shops selling old day toys, traditional furnitures and decorations as well as old restaurants, where we enjoyed many traditional specialty Tainan dishes. Fishing families often gather on their front porch, shucking freshly harvested oysters to sell to local restaurants.
An old street in Tainan. Make sure you try the winter melon drink! It's so nice!
Freshly harvested oysters waiting to be shucked!
Back in the city, old temples dot around the city among the many concrete flats and office blocks. Many of these temples are dedicated to one Taoist god or goddess and are worth a visit to check out the traditional building and stone carvings on the walls and roofs. I pay a visit to the Matsu Temple, a quirky and complex temple opposite the Chikan Towers. I rub the three bronze figures at the alter, an action which is said to bring luck and wealth.
I give prayers and respect at the Matsu temple. It is said that rubbing those bronze statues will bring good luck!
Let's see if it works eh?
Tainan city is also full of night markets and electronic gadget shopping. You are be sured not to get bored! Even walking around the streets are interesting sights such as a scrubby old make-shift kitchen serving piping hot noodles and traditional cold cuts such as pigs trotters and ears, and right next door would be Starbucks, full of youngsters in their most fashionable outfit, comparing MP3 players and mobile phones.
Tainan is indeed an interesting city!
Flick Wit
Hope you had a great time over there Amy!
Michaelie
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